Oatmeal Cookies with Fruit

Making more goodies for lunches.  This time I thought I'd get away from the horrifically-bad-for-you chocolate chip cookies and make something that at least pretends to have nutrition.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup packed dark brown sugar or light brown sugar with a tablespoon of molasses
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
Vanilla, almond extract, or bourbon to taste
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg to taste
1 cup white flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups dry oatmeal
1 cup dried fruit (apples, cherries, raisins, cranberries, or whatever you like) chopped up into small 1/4 inch pieces

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Put dried fruit in a microwave safe bowl and add water until the fruit is barely covered.  Microwave for 1 minute then let stand while you put together the rest of the dough.

Cream butter, shortening, and sugars in a mixer at low speed.  Once creamed, add in eggs and vanilla/almond/bourbon.

In another bowl, sift together the flours, baking powder, soda, and spices.  Add to wet mixture and mix thoroughly.  Add oats and mix.

Drain excess water off of fruit, and add to the dough.  Mix just until the fruit is evenly distributed.  Dough will be slightly wet, but not runny.

Spoon 1 inch balls of dough (a heaping tablespoon) on baking stone or lightly greased cookie sheet at least 2 inches apart.  The cookies will spread and flatten during baking.  Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookies brown and the edges are crisp.  Let cool on sheet for 2 minutes then transfer to wire rack.