Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies

I just wanted to bake.  I needed to bake.  It has been one of those weeks where I wanted to think about nothing for an hour.  I just wanted to take some time, whisk together ingredients, take my mind off of life and bake up something delicious.  Cookies are easy and they make me smile.  When they are freshly baked, they are warm, chewy and remind me of home.  These cookies have twist, they are sugar and dairy free, and I hope you enjoy!

Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies: (makes a small batch, 12-15 cookies)

1/2 cup vegan butter, softened, such as Earth Balance

1/2 agave nectar (for sweetening)

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

The zest from one orange

1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

3/4 cup orange flavored dried cranberries or regular dried cranberries (Trader Joe's sells orange flavored cranberries)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2.  In a large mixing bowl, cream together vegan butter and agave nectar.  Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

3.  In another mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.

4.  Combine flour mixture into the butter-sugar mixture.  Whisk the zest of one orange into the dough.

5.  Using a spatula, fold in the oats and dried cranberries.  If the dough is runny, refrigerate for 30 minutes.

6.  Scoop dough onto lined cookie using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool on a cooling rack.  Enjoy!