Carob Chip and Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

according to josh, and every other man i've ever met: under no circumstances should raisins be included in any desert of any kind. ok

since my wonderfully pregnant neighbor moved out a few months ago josh is my main consumer. so here we are with oatmeal cookies that plea for a nice plump dark fruity dose of raisins - what do i do? i pulled out my ridiculous list of specialty health food items and the perfect answer was carob chips. they are perfect! if you aren't familiar with carob:

the carob tree sits within the legume family and creates pods that hold about 5 little beans. Those beans are what we nosh on (after some processing of-course) and they taste oddly like chocolate, but with a fruity undertone - like the offspring of chocolate and raisin. so people who are allergic to chocolate or vegan or attracted to novelty food items like me dig on this tasty little bean. evidently ancient egyptians loved it too.

add in a healthy dose of walnuts and you can tell yourself these are "a health indulgence" and eat them for breakfast.

CAROB CHIP & WALNUT OATMEAL COOKIES

3/4c + 2 tbs all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (it has to be fresh - has. to. be.)

4 oz unsalted butter, softened

2 tbs sugar (optional)

3/4c packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/2c carob chips

1 3/4c rolled oats (old fashioned)

1/2 c chopped walnuts

*preheat oven to 350 F

*shift together all the dry ingredients, then whisk to combine

*in a separate bowl cream the butter to a light color

*add sugar(s) and cream to light and fluffy

*beat in egg then vanilla

*gradually add in the flour mixture

*fold in the carob chips, walnuts and oats - make sure all is well combined, but do not over work the dough

* taking a heaping tablespoon full, roll into a ball and place on prepared cookie sheet

* lightly smash down the balls to about 1/2" thick

*bake 12-14 minutes to lightly browned