Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies with Apricots and White Chocolate

I've started making cookies for Christmas, but now that I am eating Gluten Free, I feel like it's time to make some cookies that I can actually eat!  So, today I revised an Oatmeal Cookie recipe to be made totally out of Oats and Oat Flour and I livened it up with pieces of Dried Apricot and White Chocolate Chips. I only made  small amount as I am making so many other kinds, but this recipe is easily doubled. Now if you want to make it Lactose Free, leave out the White Chocolate as it contains milk powder and you could substitute some other dried fruits or nuts. This cookie is so delicious! It has all the crispiness that you want to have at the edges and all that soft pillowy goodness in the center. The combination of Apricots and White Chocolate really worked for me and next time, I think I am going to put in some dried Tart Cherries as well. If you are looking for a good Gluten Free Cookie, I think you will be happy with this one!

GF Oatmeal Cookies with Apricots and White Chocolate

1 cups Oat Flour (you can also make this flour in your food processor)

1/2 cup Rolled Oats 

1/2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 stick unsalted Butter softened (1 cup)

3/4 cup Brown Sugar

2 large Eggs

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/3 cup White Chocolate Chips

1/3 cup Dried Apricots or Cherries, cut into small pieces

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl. In a bowl or stand mixer, cream the butter and the two kinds of sugar together. Add in the eggs and vanilla. Then fold in the Oatmeal mixture, 1/2 at a time until thoroughly combined.  Mix in the White Chocolate Chips and Apricots until combined.  Drop by heaping Tablespoon onto a Silpat or Parchment covered Baking Pan with a few inches between cookies.  Bake until the edges are browned and the tops are just starting to brown - between 15 - 17 minutes.  Let cool and then put on a wire rack to cool completely.  

Five Element Analysis

Oatmeal is an Earth Element food and there is a lot of sugar in these cookies as well.  But, the Apricots contribute the Fire Elemnent, the Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract and the White Chocolate add the Metal Element along with the Butter.  The Water and Wood Elements are not present so serve these cookies after a meal that incorporates foods from those Elements to create a balanced Five Element meal.