Dark Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies - Michiganders and Texpats

If you've ever spent time with Texpats (Texas expats), you end up hearing about the collective insanity known as Texas pride. We are indoctrinated to love our state and treat it with reverence.  Even things that should embarrass us enough to prevent us from calling Texas home (see: Jade Helm 15 hysteria and highest rate of uninsured children) don't stop us from wholeheartedly believing our state is best.




I've discovered in the past 7 years that the only other state that might give us a run for our money is Michigan. My first day of my first real job in Washington D.C. the first person I met was from Michigan and he set the tone for all the Michiganders I've met since. They are some of the nicest, friendliest people and they have a ton of pride in Michigan and they might love their state more than Texans if such a thing is possible!

My friend Kara from Michigan introduced me to high-quality dried cherries from Michigan and they are so much better than the ones I've used from the grocery store.

Kara lives in Connecticut now, but last time she was in town she brought me some more Michigan cherries. Yay!

I thought the Cherry Republic cherries would go well with some dark chocolate and found a recipe that used both.

 Lots of bakers advise chopping chocolate bars into chunks for baking. After trying it for the first time with this recipe with a Pound Plus Bar from Trader Joes, I'm not sure what the big deal is. Yes because of the shavings the chocolate is spread a little more throughout the cookie.  However, if you don't want to spend the time there is no major difference from buying dark chocolate chips or chunks and saving yourself from the effort of breaking up a chocolate bar.

Organic Trader Joes whole oats round it out.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies - Adapted from Bake or Break

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup light or dark brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs - Room Temperature
1 & 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups old-fashioned/whole oats
1 cup dried cherries
8 ounces dark chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350°. Line cookie sheets with foil or parchment paper

Beat butter and brown sugar together until smooth with a hand mixer. Add eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture just until combined, then fold in oats, cherries, and chocolate.

Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight.

Scoop dough in desired portions onto baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until bottom edges are lightly browned. Cool on pans for a few minutes, then remove to wire cooling racks to cool completely.