Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

I am not to be trusted alone at Charming Charlie. I totally went on a little pre-BlogHer Food accessory shopping spree yesterday on a whim. {Accessories = jewelry, sandals & 2 new bags.} I rarely buy things for myself, but lately I’ve been updating or replacing pieces that have seen better days. Plus, I don’t want my blogger buddies to look at me and think, “Gosh, that Kitchen Prep girl is sure raggedy-looking.” Justifications. 😉

Anyway, I think I love it there so much because their inventory is color coordinated. So there’s never any guessing as to where you might find a teal statement necklace or a gold tassel pendant… a place for everything, and everything in its place. The way to my heart, for sure.

You know what else makes my heart happy? Baking. Duh.

Ever since I got over my little beginning of pregnancy nausea spell, I have been non-stop in the kitchen. Mostly because people keep asking me if I can bake for different events and occasions they have going on, and I can’t say no. Also because I truly love it and because I’m trying to soak in as much kitchen time as possible before baby boy makes his appearance in the fall. Somehow I don’t think he’ll appreciate hours-on-end in the kitchen as much as I do. He may have other plans.

Last night, at 9 p.m. no less, I decided to bake cookies. I had left some butter out on the counter earlier in the day for something else that I didn’t end up making. So, naturally, cookies had to happen.

These Chocolate-Cherry Cookies are so simple and really yummy. I love the combo of chocolate and cherry together, and currently, I happen to enjoy anything and everything with a little tartness. {I also can’t stop thinking about brownies, but that’s another story for another day.}

I’m a fan of any cookie that comes together super fast with pantry staples {we almost always have dried fruit of some kind, so that’s a pantry staple to me}. Not to mention, drop cookies. Scoop, plop and bake. Love.

For some reason, I found these listed here described as “healthy cookies”, but I don’t really see anything that healthy about them to be honest. I mean, there are worse-for-you cookies out there, sure, but these contain plenty of butter and sugar. Not that I’ll argue with you if you insist that they’re healthy, of course. On the plus side, they turn out chocolatey, chewy and perfect for a last minute sweet treat for gifting {or keeping!}.

But like a trip to Charming Charlie, you probably shouldn’t let your guard down… it’s safe to say you might get a little carried away once you take a bite, so plan accordingly. 😉

Chocolate-Cherry Cookies
Adapted from Cooking Light

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup {5 tablespoons} butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
2/3 cup dried cherries
3 tablespoons mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 2 a baking pans by lining with parchment paper or using a silicone baking mat.

2. In a a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

3. large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Add egg and mix until well incorporated. Mix in vanilla extract.

4. Slowly add dry ingredients to the butter mixture until just combined. Stir in dried cherries and mini chocolate chips.

5. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon measure, place balls of dough about 2 inches apart on the baking pan. Bake for about 12 minutes, until just set. {They’ll seem undercooked when you take them out, but they’ll become more solid as they cool.}

6. Remove pan from oven and allow cookies to cool a bit before moving them to a wire rack so they don’t fall apart.