Recipe: Happy Face Cookies

HAPPY FACE COOKIES

Happy Face Cookies are really big cookies made with whole grain oats and whole wheat flour that can be baked ahead and frozen. Just before the school bus is due to arrive, arrange the cookies on a plate (they'll thaw in minutes) and put the ingredients for the faces into small bowls. A thin layer of reduced-fat peanut butter, light cream cheese or marshmallow fluff spread on top of the cookie makes a yummy "glue" for the decorations. To create the "hair," "eyes," "nose" and "mouth," kids can use dried fruit, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, candy-coated chocolate pieces and other edible goodies.

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups Quaker oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)*
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
TO FROST AND DECORATE:
1 cup reduced-fat peanut butter, marshmallow fluff or light spreadable cream cheese
Assorted edible decorations such as sunflower seeds, wheat germ, nuts, chocolate pieces and coconut

TO MAKE THE COOKIES:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In medium bowl, combine flours, baking soda and salt; mix well. Stir in oats. In large bowl, beat margarine and sugars with electric mixer until creamy, about 5 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture; mix well.

Drop dough into 20 mounds, 4 inches apart, on ungreased cookie sheets. With fingers, flatten to 2-1/2-inch diameter.

Bake 11 to 14 minutes or until light golden brown. (Do not overbake.) Cool on cookie sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Store cookies tightly covered.

TO FROST AND DECORATE COOKIES:
Spread peanut butter in thin layer on top of cooled cookies; create happy faces with dried fruit, sunflower seeds, chocolate pieces, coconut, etc.

*If using old fashioned oats, add an additional 2 tablespoons flour.

Cook's Tip:
Vegetable oil spreads, light or reduced-calorie products, and butter or margarine that is whipped or in tubs are not recommended for this recipe.

Makes 20 large cookies
Adapted from source: Quaker Oatmeal