Santa's Power Cookies

My mom and I started volunteering for a Christmas race series that benefited local charities in are area," she said. "One year we decided to raise money for the race by selling these power cookies on the day of race packet pick up. We were able to donate over $100.00 to the charity that year and increased our donation every year until I moved away from home. I still am a runner and just became a new mom-I can't wait to re-start this Christmas tradition with my children!"

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 med. very ripe banana, mashed
1 egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup dried cherries
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:
Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease 1 or 2 baking sheets. In a bowl, stir together the flour, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a large bowl, cream the brown sugar and butter until fluffy. Add the banana and egg and beat with a fork until blended. Stir in the flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time, and then stir in the cherries, chocolate and walnuts.

Spoon the dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on on a rack for about 5 minutes.

Makes about 18 cookies.