Looking for a twist to your regular oatmeal cookies? These white chocolate chip cherry oatmeal cookies are a delightful blend of sweet and tart, with the creaminess of white chocolate balancing the tanginess of the dried cherries. The addition of oats adds a wholesome texture. These cookies are easy to make and even easier to finish!
All the ingredients for this recipe are fairly commonplace, but a couple of things to note when you go shopping: Dried cherries can be found in the dried fruits section of the supermarket. They add a lovely tartness balancing the sweetness of the white chocolate. Also, remember to opt for old-fashioned whole rolled oats for that perfect chewy texture, and not instant oats. Quality white chocolate bars, used here for the optional drizzle, are usually available in the chocolate or baking aisle.
Ingredients for White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
Unsalted butter: Gives the cookies their rich, buttery flavor.
Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness with a hint of caramel.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps in browning.
Eggs: Provide structure and moisture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavors.
Molasses: Adds depth and color to the cookies.
All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough.
Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent.
Salt: Enhances the other flavors.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Spice up the cookies.
Old-fashioned whole rolled oats: Gives the cookies their unique texture.
Dried cherries: Add a tart contrast to the sweet chocolate.
White chocolate chips: Bring sweetness and creaminess.
White chocolate bar: Used for the optional drizzle.
One reader, Audi Zhang says:
These white chocolate chip cherry oatmeal cookies are absolutely divine! The combination of sweet white chocolate, tart cherries, and hearty oats creates a delightful flavor and texture. They're a hit with everyone who tries them, and they're perfect for any occasion. Highly recommend giving them a try!
Essential Techniques for Making White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
How to cream the butter and sugars: Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth.
How to chill the dough: After mixing the dough, chill it for about 30 to 60 minutes in the refrigerator. If chilling for longer (up to 2 days), allow the dough to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before scooping and baking.
How to preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
How to roll the dough into balls: Roll balls of dough (about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie) and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
How to drizzle the white chocolate: Melt the chopped white chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl in 20-second increments in the microwave, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Drizzle lightly over the cookies.
How to allow the white chocolate to set: Allow the white chocolate to set completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
How To Make White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
A wonderful combination of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried cherries, and white chocolate for a hearty and delicious cherry oatmeal cookie.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1cupunsalted butter,softened to room temperature
- 1cuplight brown sugar,or dark, packed
- ¼cupgranulated sugar
- 2large eggs
- 1tbsppure vanilla extract
- 1tbspmolasses
- 1½cupsall-purpose flour,spoon and leveled
- 1tspbaking soda
- ½tspsalt
- 1½tspground cinnamon
- ¼tspground nutmeg
- 3cupsold-fashioned whole rolled oats*
- 1cupdried cherries
- 1cupwhite chocolate chips
- 4ozquality white chocolate bar,finely chopped, optional drizzle
Instructions
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Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth. Add the eggs and mix on high for about 1 minute until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and molasses and mix on high until combined. Set aside.
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In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together. Add to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Beat in the oats, dried cherries, and white chocolate chips on low speed. Dough will be thick, yet very sticky. Chill the dough for about 30 to 60 minutes in the refrigerator. If chilling for longer (up to 2 days), allow the dough to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before scooping and baking.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
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Roll balls of dough (about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie) and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake for about 12 to 14 minutes until lightly browned on the sides. The centers will look very soft and under-baked.
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Remove from the oven and let cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will continue to “set” on the baking sheet during this time.
Optional White Chocolate Drizzle:
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Place the chopped white chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Melt in 20-second increments in the microwave, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Drizzle lightly over cookies.
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Allow the white chocolate to set completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Cover and store leftover cookies (with white chocolate drizzle or without) at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
- Calories: 208.64kcal
- Fat: 10.14g
- Saturated Fat: 5.94g
- Trans Fat: 0.25g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.75g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.61g
- Carbohydrates: 27.24g
- Fiber: 1.15g
- Sugar: 16.24g
- Protein: 2.86g
- Cholesterol: 30.65mg
- Sodium: 97.52mg
- Calcium: 36.08mg
- Potassium: 106.83mg
- Iron: 0.86mg
- Vitamin A: 65.48µg
- Vitamin C: 1.08mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Perfect White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
When incorporating the oats, dried cherries, and white chocolate chips into the dough, be sure to mix gently and just until they are evenly distributed. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Also, when melting the white chocolate for the drizzle, be patient and use low heat. White chocolate can seize or burn easily if heated too quickly or at too high a temperature. Using the microwave in short increments and stirring frequently can help avoid this.
Time-Saving Tips for Making These Delightful Cookies
Chill the dough: Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes will prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking, resulting in a thicker and chewier texture.
Use a cookie scoop: Using a cookie scoop will help create uniformly sized cookies, ensuring they bake evenly and reducing the time spent shaping the dough by hand.
Pre-measure ingredients: Before starting the recipe, pre-measure all the ingredients to streamline the mixing process and avoid any last-minute scrambling for items.
Substitute Ingredients For White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar richness and flavor to the cookies, and it can also help keep the cookies moist.
light brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a similar caramel-like flavor to brown sugar and can be used as a 1:1 replacement.
granulated sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can add a natural sweetness and moisture to the cookies, and it can also enhance the flavor profile.
eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Flax eggs can be used as a vegan alternative to eggs in the recipe, providing binding properties and moisture.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour can be used as a gluten-free alternative and adds a nutty flavor to the cookies.
white chocolate chips - Substitute with vegan white chocolate chips: Vegan white chocolate chips can be used for a dairy-free alternative while still providing the creamy texture and sweetness.
quality white chocolate bar - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can be used to add a creamy texture and a hint of coconut flavor to the cookies.
Best Way to Present White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
Elevate the cookie with a unique plating: When presenting the white chocolate chip cherry oatmeal cookies, consider using a sleek and modern plate to showcase the cookies. The contrast between the white chocolate drizzle and the dark cherries can be highlighted against a simple, elegant backdrop.
Incorporate a touch of elegance with garnishes: Add a touch of sophistication by garnishing the plate with fresh cherries or a dusting of powdered sugar. This adds a pop of color and a hint of luxury to the presentation.
Create a visually appealing arrangement: Arrange the cookies in a circular pattern, slightly overlapping each other for a polished and professional look. This arrangement will create a visually stunning display that is sure to impress.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate to allow the cookies to stand out. By leaving some areas of the plate bare, the focus remains on the cookies and their exquisite flavors.
Consider the use of edible flowers: Introduce a touch of artistry by incorporating edible flowers as a delicate and beautiful garnish. This adds a whimsical and refined element to the presentation, elevating the overall aesthetic appeal.
Essential Tools for Making Oatmeal Cookies with White Chocolate and Cherries
- Hand mixer: A handheld kitchen appliance used to mix ingredients, such as batter and dough, quickly and efficiently.
- Stand mixer: A countertop appliance with a mixing head that can be raised or lowered, used for mixing and kneading dough and batter.
- Paddle attachment: An attachment for a stand mixer used for mixing cookie dough and other batters.
- Whisk: A kitchen tool used for whipping and mixing ingredients together, incorporating air into the mixture.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Tools used to accurately measure ingredients for baking and cooking.
- Baking sheets: Flat, metal sheets used for baking cookies, pastries, and other baked goods in the oven.
- Parchment paper: A non-stick paper used to line baking sheets and pans to prevent food from sticking.
- Silicone baking mats: Reusable non-stick mats placed on baking sheets to provide an alternative to parchment paper.
- Wire rack: A metal rack used for cooling baked goods, allowing air to circulate around the food.
- Microwave: An appliance used for quickly melting or heating ingredients, such as chocolate.
- Heat-proof bowl: A bowl designed to withstand high temperatures, often used for melting ingredients over a double boiler or in the microwave.
Storing and Freezing White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- To freeze, place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours).
- Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe ziplock bag or airtight container.
- Label the bag or container with the date and name of the recipe.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To thaw, remove the desired number of cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
- For a quicker thaw, you can also microwave the frozen cookies for 10-15 seconds.
- If you plan to drizzle the white chocolate on top, it's best to do so after thawing the cookies to avoid any condensation from affecting the appearance and texture of the drizzle.
How To Reheat Leftover White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
To reheat leftover white chocolate chip cherry oatmeal cookies, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cookies are warmed through and slightly crispy around the edges. This method will help restore the texture and flavor of the cookies, making them taste almost as good as freshly baked ones.
Another option is to use a microwave. Place the cookies on a microwave-safe plate and heat them in 10-second intervals until they reach your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat them, as this can cause the white chocolate chips to melt and the cookies to become too soft.
For a quicker and more convenient method, you can reheat the cookies in a toaster oven. Set the temperature to 300°F (150°C) and place the cookies on the toaster oven rack. Heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the cookies are warmed through and slightly crispy.
If you prefer a softer, chewier texture, wrap the cookies in a damp paper towel before microwaving them for 10-15 seconds. The moisture from the paper towel will help soften the cookies without making them soggy.
For a unique twist, try crumbling the leftover white chocolate chip cherry oatmeal cookies over a bowl of vanilla ice cream or yogurt. The combination of warm, slightly crispy cookies and cool, creamy ice cream or yogurt creates a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
Interesting Fact About White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
The White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures, blending the sweetness of white chocolate with the tartness of dried cherries. This cookie recipe offers a unique twist on the classic oatmeal cookie, making it a perfect treat for any occasion.
Is Making These Cookies at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this white chocolate chip cherry oatmeal cookies recipe is relatively high. The ingredients, such as butter, sugar, eggs, flour, oats, dried cherries, and white chocolate chips, are commonly found in households. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15-$20, making it an affordable treat. The delightful combination of flavors and textures earns this recipe a solid 9/10 rating.
Are These Cookies Healthy or Unhealthy?
This white chocolate chip cherry oatmeal cookie recipe, while undeniably delicious, leans more towards the indulgent side rather than being a healthy treat. Let's break down the ingredients:
- Butter and sugars provide a significant amount of saturated fat and added sugars
- All-purpose flour is a refined carbohydrate lacking in fiber and nutrients
- White chocolate chips and the additional white chocolate drizzle contribute to the overall sugar content
However, there are some redeeming qualities:
- Oats are a whole grain, offering fiber, protein, and nutrients
- Dried cherries provide some fruit content and potential antioxidants, though they also contain added sugars
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Reduce the amount of butter and replace a portion with unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas to maintain moisture while cutting down on saturated fat
- Decrease the amount of added sugars, both in the dough and the white chocolate drizzle
- Swap all-purpose flour for whole wheat pastry flour or a gluten-free alternative like almond flour to increase fiber and protein content
- Use dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate for a lower sugar content and potential health benefits from cocoa
- Incorporate additional dried fruits, such as raisins or apricots, to increase the nutrient density of the cookies
- Moderation is key – enjoy these cookies as an occasional treat rather than an everyday snack
Editor's Opinion on This White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
The combination of white chocolate, cherries, and oats in this cookie recipe creates a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The use of molasses adds a depth of flavor, while the white chocolate drizzle adds a touch of elegance. The cookies are perfectly balanced with a chewy interior and crisp edges. The addition of the white chocolate drizzle not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a creamy sweetness that complements the tartness of the cherries. This recipe is a wonderful twist on classic oatmeal cookies, and the result is a delightful treat that is sure to impress.
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Why trust this White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies Recipe:
This recipe guarantees a delightful treat with white chocolate, cherries, and oatmeal for a perfect blend of flavors and textures. The combination of butter and molasses ensures rich, caramelized notes, while the addition of cinnamon and nutmeg provides warm, comforting aromas. The use of quality white chocolate and dried cherries promises a luxurious and indulgent experience. With a meticulous balance of ingredients and precise instructions, these cookies are a testament to the expertise and passion of the chef, earning the trust of all who seek a delightful baking adventure.
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