Oatmeal Cinnamon Chip Cookies

 I discovered these cinnamon chips at the grocery store this week! I love chocolate and I love cinnamon--so could there be a better combination? I was totally intrigued and had to buy them. I searched for a recipe to use them in and since they're either new (or just new to me?) and maybe not found in all stores--I couldn't find a good one. So I decided to use the Hershey's recipe on the back of the bag. They turned out great. The cinnamon chips add the right amount of cinnamon and they were really light and soft. I loved the raisins with it (and I'm usually not a huge raisin fan). I've been trying to lose the 10 pounds I gained this summer on our cruise and so I lightened it up some and it still was amazing! I'll put the recipe as is and then note my variations at the bottom.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Chips Cookies from Hershey's Kitchens

1 C butter or margarine, softened
1 C packed brown sugar
1/3 C granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 C all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 C quick-cooking oats
1 bag (10 oz) Hershey's cinnamon chips
3/4 C raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in bowl until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combined flour and baking soda; add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in oats, cinnamon chips, and raisins (batter will be stiff).
3. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 9-11 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 1 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. About 4 dozen.
* To lighten it up and make myself feel less guilty eating a dozen, I used 1/2 C applesauce and 1/2 C butter. I also used 1/3 C Splenda (sugar substitute) and 4 egg whites.
* I also think I'll add more raisins next time. But I'll definitely make these again!
Let me know if you try it without substituting the "lighter" variations and how you liked them!