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Today's Tidbit: Granola Drop Cookies

Granola Drop Cookies

With more healthful ingredients in them than the chocolate chip variety, these cookies make a great snack for kids - and for coffee-sipping grown-ups, too.

Tip: Use any kind of dried fruit, such as raisins, cranberries, cherries or chopped apricots.

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole-wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) shortening or butter, room temperature

1 cup packed brown or granulated sugar

1 egg

Zest of 1 orange

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1 cup granola cereal

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup dried mixed fruit bits

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar. Add the egg and beat until fluffy. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Beat in the flour mixture, then stir in the cereal, oats and dried fruit.

Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets (nonstick or lined with parchment paper). Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until just lightly browned. Remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

-Cox News Service