One thing that brings me joy is baking. Baking for my kids, family and friends is a favorite. My family loves to spend time together creating things in the kitchen. Some of my favorite memories have been in the kitchen with my family! Here is a great recipe we created. Enjoy!

Reduced Fat Oatmeal Cookies

• 1  cup pecans, toasted
• 1/2 cup (1 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon  salt
• 3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1 1/2 cups Raisinets

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Toast pecans by placing them on a sheet pan and bake for 5 minutes (watch closely), or until crisp. Cool, then chop coarsely.

In a bowl cream  butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. With  mixer on low, add the eggs, one at a time, and in the vanilla and applesauce.

Stir flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together into a medium bowl. With the mixer on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Fold in the oats, Raisinets, and pecans and mix just until combined.

Using a small ice-cream scoop (two tablespoon size), drop 2-inch mounds of dough onto un-greased cookie sheet or cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Flatten the cookie balls slightly with a damp hand. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Transfer the cookies to a baking rack and cool completely.

The Raisinets are a fun addition to this recipe — chocolate and raisins are a winning combination!

What brings you Enlightened Enjoyment? I find it’s the simple things, those unexpected moments every day. Like a snuggle with my littlest girl, or when I see my teen doing something thoughtful and kind,  or dropping my son of at college and seeing how far we have all come. Life is full of these moments.

Raisinets wants to help you have more enlightened enjoyment too and they are doing it in a couple of ways. Do you love Pinterest as much as I do? Then this will be a piece of cake! They are having a Pinterest contest!  Yep They want you to share your moments.  It’s really that Simple! You can win a $500 Amex Gift Card or one of two $250 Amex Gift Cards in the Pinterest contest. (official rules). I have made my own Raisinets Pin & Win board already if you would like to take a look and get an idea of what you need to do. Plus there is more! I get to give a great prize to one of my lucky readers (keep reading)!

Some important links:

• Raisinets Enlightened Enjoyment Sweepstakes: www.pins.raisinets.com
• Raisinets on Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/raisinets/
• Raisinets on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raisinets

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I was compensated by Raisinets for this post, all recipes and opinions are my own.  No purchase necessary. US Residents Only. Must be over 18. Giveaway will end on Sept 18 at 12am CST. One winner with a valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. Your chance of winning is dependent on the number of entries received. Winner will be emailed, the winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be selected. Cindy Hopper and Raisinets- are not responsible for lost or undelivered emails.