An Easter basket doesn't have to be packed with unhealthy treats. (Bill Hogan, Chicago Tribune)

By Monica Kass Rogers, Special to Tribune Newspapers Chicago Tribune
Per serving: 209 calories, 48% of calories from fat, 11 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 2 mg cholesterol, 28 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 37 mg sodium, 2 g fiber

Cinnamon almond-meal shortbread cookies

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Makes: 24 cookies

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons each: butter, non-hydrogenated butter substitute
6 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash cinnamon
1 cup each: sifted oat flour, almond meal
Cinnamon sugar

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Blend butter and butter substitute in a medium bowl with a mixer. Add sugar, vanilla and cinnamon; beat until creamy, 2 minutes. Add oat flour and almond meal; beat until the dough sticks together.

Form the dough into small balls; place on greased baking sheet. Slightly flatten the balls; sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Wrap cookies; tie with ribbon for Easter baskets. Freeze any extras in freezer bags.

Nutrition information:
Per cookie: 96 calories, 57% of calories from fat, 6 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 8 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein, 18 mg sodium, 1 g fiber