Oatmeal Cherry Cookies

This favorite cookie recipe gets a new taste with dried cherries.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups quick cooking oats, uncooked
1 1/2 cups dried tart cherries
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Put margarine, brown sugar and granulated sugar ina large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; if desired; add to egg mixture. Stir in oats, cherries and chocolate chips; mix well.

Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove wire rack to cool completely. Store in a tightly covered container.

Makes 4 dozen

Nutrition Info:
Nutrition Facts per cookie: 128 cal., 6 g total fat (3 g sat. fat), 18 g carbo., 19 mg chol., 2 g pro., 1 g fiber, 64 mg sodium. Daily RDA values: 6% vit. A, 0% vit. C, 2% calcium, 4% iron.