Oatmeal Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies

OK.  So, I am having a bit of a hard time posting this recipe.  Actually, for several reasons.  Two.  Two reasons.

First off, there is a good chance that most of you out there already have a tried and true oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe.  It is a fairly common combo after all.  Do you really need another one?  Perhaps not.  The other reason is that there are so many other things I am cooking right now that I could post about.  Things that have to do with summer and fresh produce and these wonderful months of bounty!  For example, I can’t even begin to say how many times I have wanted to tell you about Salmon Nicoise, and instead of taking pictures and posting about it, I eat it.  I roll my eyes and groan and slap the table and shake my head in disbelief: it is that good.  I literally cannot bring myself to slow down enough to share it with you.  Hmm…that may be revealing more about my character than I would like…  And!  You can only eat it in the summer because it is all about fresh tomatoes, and string beans and-not a dish for January.  Now is the time!  If you were here you would yell, “Brittany!  Get it together!”  Actually, if you were here, you would probably tell me to fold the laundry on my couch… *Ahem*  Yet, here I am craving oatmeal cookies.   Making batches and batches of oatmeal cookies when it is a gazillion degrees outside.

But you know what?  I don’t care!  I made cookies and they were good!  And I would do it again!  I am guilt free!  Well, except for the whole salmon situation… One Year Ago: Margaritas, June Bug, Herbal Iced Tea

Oatmeal Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies
This recipe is a mix of so many different recipes.  Cookie recipes can be really similar but once I find the right combination that gives me the texture I like, I try to stick to that recipe.  Half cup (1 stick) butter to 1 c sugar to 2 c flour is a common formula to start cookies from.  That was where I started with mine and then branched out from there.  These are chewy and crispy, without being too sweet.  I should also mention that while the flavors are similar to this recipe, it is very different.  This one is NOT healthy.  And sometimes, that’s a good thing.

2 sticks softened butter
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
2 c flour
2 c rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c chocolate chunks or chocolate chips
2 c dried cherries or cranberries (I like to chop the cherries up a bit before I add them)

Cream together the butter and sugars until fluffy.  Add the eggs and vanilla.  Add the next five ingredients, mixing just until combined.  Fold in the chocolate and dried fruit by hand.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a sheet pan covered in parchment and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.