flu-fighter cookie

courtesy of: food network magazine
submitted by: christine
makes: 30 cookies

- 2-1/4 c all-purpose flour
- 1-1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- pinch of ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temp
- 1 c packed dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 c molasses
- 1/4 c low-fat plain greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
- 1/2 c old-fashioned oats
- 1-1/4 c golden raisins
- 1-1/4 c dried cranberries
- 1-1/4 c roughly chopped walnuts, toasted

1. line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a medium bowl.

2. beat the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 min.

3. beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next.

4. add the molasses, yogurt, ginger, and lemon zest and beat until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture to make a sticky batter.

5. fold in oats and half of the raisins, cranberries, and walnuts. mix the remaining dried fruit and nuts in a small bowl and set aside.

6. drop heaping tablespoons of batter onto the prepared baking sheets. top each with some of the reserved dried fruit and nut mix and chill for 30 min.

7. preheat the oven to 375.

8. bake the cookies until dark golden, but still soft, 10-12 min; cool on a rack and store in an air-tight container for up to 1 week.

why they're called "flu-fighter" cookies...
these five ingredients might not cure the flu, but they can help:

~ ginger: the herb has some antiviral compounds and its antihistamine properties help combat congestion.

~ cranberries: a cup of cranberries a day provides twice as many antioxidants, which help your body fight off cell-damaging molecules.

~ oats: rich in selenium, a nutrient that helps your body fend off harmful free radicals, including ones that your own body produces when you're sick.

~ walnuts: 1 ounce serving has 1mg of zinc which helps keep viruses from reproducing in your body.

~ yogurt: active cultures from yogurt help balance the bacteria in your digestive tract, boosting your ability to absorb healthful vitamins and minerals.

image: food network