Cherry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Cherry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies are just the ticket if you're looking to jazz up traditional oatmeal raisin for Christmas. The cherries add that chewiness that oatmeal raisin-lovers crave, while the chocolate chips make these irresistible to chocolate chip cookie lovers. 

Cherries feel more festive than raisins and make these extra special for the holidays and cookie boxes for friends and neighbors. Look for tart dried cherries if you can find them. (Be sure to save a few cookies for yourself. It's essential for the baker to TEST the cookies before giving. Right? Right?)

What makes these oatmeal cookies special? 

To add to the cherry and chocolate chip goodness, the cookies are flavored with brown butter (I like to call it "golden butter") and flaky sea salt. I basically took my favorite Brown Butter Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and jazzed them up a bit. Oh, they're so good! 

You'll notice that I use a combination of mini and regular chocolate chips here. I always think mini chips when I think oatmeal chocolate chip cookie...why is that?...but, I also can'y resist a bigger pool of melty chocolate from a regular chip. Use either or both! 

How to make Cherry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies...

Brown the butter and let it cool a bit. You'll know it's ready when it smells nutty and delicious. Keep a sharp eye on it, so it doesn't burn. I transfer mine to another container once browned rather than letting it "cool" in the hot pan.

After mixing the wet ingredients, you'll add the flour mixture. Then, stir in the oatmeal, cherries, and chocolate chips. To ensure that all of the cookies get chocolate AND cherries, I toss those together before stirring into the dough. 

Chill the dough. You can let this dough rest in the fridge overnight. Give it at least 20 minutes before scooping. 

Scoop using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop. For the prettiest cookies, press in a few chips to the top of each scoop. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. 

Once the cookies are cooled, store them in an airtight container. Keep them soft by adding a piece of white bread to the jar. It works! 

Cherry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

14 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup bread flour

3/4 cup cake flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract

1 teaspoon light corn syrup

1 cup dried tart cherries, chopped

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, mini or regular or a combination (+ more for tops)

3 cups quick oats

fleur de sel

Place the butter in a pan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. The butter will get very foamy, then start to subside. Stir more frequently, checking for a deepening in color and golden to light brown bits. The butter will have a nutty scent. Remove from heat and pour into a heatproof bowl or glass measuring cup. Let cool. 

Meanwhile, whisk the flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside. 

Once the butter has cooled, scrape into a mixing bowl (brown bits included) with the sugars. Cream together for several minutes. Add the eggs, beating until combined, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Beat in the vanilla bean paste and the corn syrup. 

On low speed, add the flour mixture. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Toss the cherries and chocolate chips together. Stir in the oats and cherry/chocolate mix. 

Refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes or up to 24 hours. If refrigerated for more than an hour, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes before scooping. Line cookie sheets with parchment. Preheat oven to 350. 

Use a 2 or 3-tablespoon scoop to portion onto prepared cookie sheets. Press extra chocolate chips into the tops. Sprinkle each cookie with a bit of fleur de sel. 

Bake for 13-16 minutes, until the edges look done and the centers are still a little soft. Let sit on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Have you planned your holiday baking? I want to hear what's on your list!