Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tomorrow is National Chocolate Chip Cookie day. I love chocolate chip cookies. I’ve been eating them since I could hold one in my hand. Haven’s you? Do you remember the first time you tasted a chocolate chip cookie? How about the first time you made a batch with Mom?
The chocolate chip cookie is that classic dessert that everyone loves. It’s the cookie that most kids learn to make with their moms. It’s how you learn about measurements. What flavors go together. It’s where a lot of professional cooks find their love for cooking. I know it’s how I found mine. And since that classic Nestle Tollhouse cookie recipe took hold oh, so many years ago, I’ve been making them and experimenting with them. While the classic recipe is, well, classic, I’ve chose to alter it on occasion. I’ve added rolled oats or nuts. I’ve used browned butter. I’ve even finished them with a sprinkle of sea salt. I haven’t done this all to the same cookie of course, but every change I’ve made has been delicious! Out of all my experiments though, my favorites are using browned butter and fruit.
Why those two? Browned butter gives the cookie a nutty flavor without using any nuts. It also makes them even more moist. While different fruits give them a pop of tart flavor. The nuts and/or oats add texture. Each one of these additions has (in my opinion) improved upon the cookie. Don’t get me wrong, if all I have to choose from is a plain old chocolate chip cookie, I’ll take it. But… if I can get a chocolate chip cookie with extra stuff in it, than give me all the extras.
As I mentioned, one of my favorite extras is fruit. And right now cherries are in season. If there’s one flavor combination that I can never get enough of, it’s cherries and chocolate. That sweet fruit combined with bittersweet chocolate is absolute heaven. I could eat them all day. So, I thought if those two flavors were so great on their own, they’d be just as good in a cookie. And guess, what? I was right. Not only do you get that wonderful flavor combination, the juice from the cherries permeates the batter as well. So, you get that luscious cherry flavor in every single bite. Couple that with some rich, dark chocolate chips and you have a delicious way to celebrate tomorrow’s holiday… and any other day you want a sweet treat that’s perfect for summer.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup fresh cherries, stemmed, pitted and chopped
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until combined. Add the vanilla.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the batter until just combined, don't overmix.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and cherries until just combined. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silpat.
- Scoop the cookie dough into balls, and place them on the prepared sheet. Bake for 10 -12 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Let cool for 15 minutes. Serve.
