Come Home to These After-School Goodies

Here are some healthier alternatives to the traditional fare that kids gobble up after a day in class.

Apple-Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/2 cup honey
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup stone-ground whole-wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 apple, cored and chopped

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.

In a large bowl, cream together the margarine, honey, egg and vanilla until smooth. Combine the whole-wheat flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats and apple.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for eight to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: 4 dozen

Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients:

4-1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease one 9-by-13-inch pan.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter or margarine, honey and brown sugar. Stir in the two cups of chocolate chips or raisins, nuts, etc.

Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes, and then cut into bars.

Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

Yield: 3 dozen

Purple Monstrosity Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients:

2 frozen bananas, skins removed and cut in chunks
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup orange juice
1 Tbsp. honey (optional)
1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation:

Place bananas, blueberries and juice in a blender and puree. Use honey and/or vanilla to taste.

Use more or less liquid depending on the thickness you want for your smoothie.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

---www.allrecipes.com