Cherry-Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

My daughter loves oatmeal cookies, but doesn’t like raisins.  So, I decided to give a traditional oatmeal raisin cookie a make-over.  I love a chewy oatmeal cookie packed with flavor and I am happy to say these cookies don’t disappoint.  The tartness of the dried cherries with the semi-sweet chocolate is a winning combination that turns these cookies into something special.  The cookies are moist and each bite is loaded with that cherry chocolate flavor.  When you need something sweet and chewy to satisfy that chocolate craving reach for one of these.  They are guaranteed to please and won’t sabotage your diet!

Cherry-Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

½ cup light butter, room temperature

¾ cups packed light brown sugar

½ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 cups uncooked old-fashion oats

1 cup dried cherries

1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly spray cookie sheets with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and both sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy.

Add the eggs and vanilla; beat well.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.   Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture; mix well.

Stir in the oats, cherries, and chocolate morsels.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes until light golden brown.  Cool 1 minute, and then remove cookies from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store cookies tightly covered.

Makes 36 cookies.

Weight Watchers PointsPlus = 4 points per cookie

Adapted from Quaker Oats Recipe