Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

After discovering the wonderfulness of dried cherries and chocolate in cookies, I knew these would be a winner. I used dark chocolate chips, and definitely would go with the dark over milk chocolate. Along with being delicious, the cookies were so moist! This is definitely a cookie recipe that's sticking around. I might add a little cinnamon the next time I make them, but we'll see.

Recipe from Cooking Light's Jan/Feb 2010 issue.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1/3 cup)
• 1.5 ounces whole-wheat flour (about 1/3 cup)
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used dark chocolate chips)
  
• Cooking spray (or parchment paper)
  

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and next 3 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl; stir with a whisk.

3. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat; add brown sugar, stirring until smooth. Add sugar mixture to flour mixture; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add cherries, vanilla, and egg; beat until combined. Fold in chocolate. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes. Cool on pans 3 minutes or until almost firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks.