Dried Fruit Cookie Recipes - Prune, Raisin and Oat Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups/540 g raisins

• 1 cup/250 g dried cranberries

• 1 cup/250 ml hot water

• 2 1/2 cups/375 g all-purpose/plain flour

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 2 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp allspice

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 3/4 cup/180 g butter, softened

• 1 1/2 cups/300 g firmly packed light brown sugar

• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract/essence

• 2 large eggs

• 2 cups/300 g old-fashioned rolled oats

• 2 cups/2oo g coarsely chopped walnuts

• 1 1/4 cups/280 g coarsely chopped pitted prunes

• 1 1/4 cups/280 g coarsely chopped pitted dates

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C/gas 6. Butter three cookie sheets.

2. Soak the raisins and cranberries in the water in a large bowl for 15 minutes. Drain well, reserving 6 tablespoons liquid, and set aside.

3. Sift the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, baking powder, allspice, and salt into a medium bowl.

4. Beat the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until creamy. Add the vanilla and eggs, beating until just blended.

5. Mix in the dry ingredients and reserved liquid. Stir in the oats, walnuts, prunes, dates, raisins, and cranberries until well blended.

6. Drop tablespoons of the dough 3 inches (8 cm) apart onto the prepared cookie sheets, flattening them slightly.

7. Bake, one sheet at a time, for 6-8 minutes, or until just golden at the edges and set. Transfer to racks and let cool completely.