Cheerie-Oats Chocolate Chip Cookies

crunchy, filling, healthy and fun...these cookies will start your day right or keep you going when you need a lift.  they're filled with "good-for-ya" fiber and oats and just the right amount of that yummy peanut butter-chocolate combo to let your taste buds know it's still a treat.

CHEERIE-OATS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
adapted from a recipe found at Suite101.com by Stephanie Gallagher

3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup apple sauce
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
a dash of powdered ginger and nutmeg is a great addition...optional
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
3 oz mini chocolate chips
3 cups cheerio's...i used Trader Joe's Fiber O's
2 Tbsp flax...optional good omegas

preheat oven to 375 F
beat sugar, apple sauce, peanut butter, water, vanilla and egg substitute together with an electric mixer until well combined.  add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and spice if adding, salt, oats, flax and chocolate chips.  gently hand stir in cheerie o's cereal of choice.
drop the dough (it will be sticky) by rounded 1/4 cupfuls  onto parchment lined cookie sheet.  flatten dough slightly.  they don't spread much at all.
bake for 13-15 minutes until lightly browned around the edges.
should make about 20 large cookies.