Chewy Fig Oatmeal Cookies

1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup dried figs, ground, packed
2/3 cup margarine or butter
6 tbsp egg substitute or 2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp dried figs, ground
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups quick rolled oatmeal
1/2 cup nuts, finely ground (optional)

In a large bowl, beat brown sugar, honey, first quantity of figs and margarine until creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Add eggs to creamed ingredients and mix until well blended.

In a separate bowl, blend baking soda, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, remaining figs, and nutmeg thoroughly, and add to creamed mixture. Add flour, oatmeal, and nuts (optional) and mix 2 minutes on low speed, then 3 minutes on medium speed. Drop by teaspoonfuls on greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 F for 10 to 15 minute according to preference of softer or crunchier cookies.

*For a no sugar variation, substitute same amount of white grape juice concentrate or apple juice concentrate for brown sugar.

Makes 36
Source: California Fig Advisory Board