Heat oven to 350o and line 2 large sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Stir oats, flour, cinnamon, and baking soda in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, beat egg and whisk in the oil, sugar, milk and almond extract. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until moistened, adding cherries and half of the almonds toward the end of mixing. Drop scant 1/4 cup scoops of dough onto the pans at least 2 inches apart, sprinkle remaining almonds on top and pat gently with waxed paper to flatten slightly. Bake until golden around the edges and set in the middle, about 16 minutes.

Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 1 month.

Recipe Note: Feel free to play around with different types of fruits and nuts, such as chopped walnuts, pistachios, or pecans; or raisins and chopped dried apricots. Adding 1/3 cup of mini chocolate chips is fun, too.

Per serving (1 each): 276 calories; 9 g total fat; 1 g saturated fat; 7 g protein; 42 g carbohydrate; 5 g dietary fiber; 12 mg cholesterol.

Reprinted with permission from Clean Eating for Busy Families: Get Meals on the Table in Minutes with Simple and Satisfying Whole-Foods Recipes You and Your Kids Will Love, by Michelle Dudash, RD (Fair Winds Press, December 2012).