Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Cherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

Cherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies


The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap

What better way to dive right into the food blogging community, than a world-wide cookie swap with food bloggers. I have been at this blog for about 8 months now and absolutely loving it. Nothing gives me more joy than to share my recipes and adventures with cooking, especially baking since I am still perfecting this area of the culinary world.

The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2012
A few months ago, I received information for an international cookie swap that only food bloggers could participate in - The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap. For a small donation to the Cookies for Kids' Cancer, I received three bloggers to send each a dozen cookies to, and in return I would receive a dozen cookies from three different bloggers. There were a few stipulations along the way, but ultimately all the food bloggers would post their cookie recipe on 12/12/12 (today) for massive cookie recipe sharing!


Cookies Galore

It took me all of 10 seconds to process this and sign up! What is not to love about receiving three dozen cookies in the mail! Then it took me another 5 seconds to figure out which cookies to bake; my Cherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies. These cookies remind me of growing up, home and both of my parents. My mom always made them and my dad always devoured them!! I reserve these cookies for the holidays so I can share with others (otherwise they would all end up in my belly). They are absolutely addictive, buttery, tangy, sweet and delicious, all at the same time.

Cherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

Before I share my cookie recipe, I want to give a quick thanks to three bloggers that sent me delicious and beautiful cookies! I was very happy to come home one day last week to find several boxes (full of cookies) at my front door.

The first one I opened was a bag of delicious, chewy Molasses Cookies from Annakatet at la aguacateBaked and packaged beautifully! These were my favorite of the three! How did she know about my love for spicy, gingery cookies?!?!?!



Then I received a holiday tin full of Layered Butter Cookies from Christine at Cook the Story. She sent me an assortment of vanilla cookies with lemon and raspberry, layered with apricot preserves AND vanilla cookies with orange and fennel, layered with cranberry jelly. Talk about buttery, melt-in-your mouth delicious!!

And finally, I got a cute red box full of Candy Cane Macaroons from Jennifer at Mother Thyme. I was VERY impressed that she sent macaroons since they are so delicate. Most of them made it through the shipping travels and were very yummy (one of my husbands favs).

Eating and baking these cookies truly get me into the Holiday Spirit! Even the hubby wanted to help out! I made sure to squeeze in lots of taste tests for him!!

Cherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

Cherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

Yields: 3-4 dozen, depending on size of cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes + 1 hour
Cook Time: 8-12 minutes


2 sticks salted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoon low-fat milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups quick cooking oats
2 cups dried cherries, coarsely chopped
1 cup raw walnuts, coarsely chopped

In a large standing mixer, cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. In a small separate bowl, beat the eggs and add in the milk and vanilla. Add this into the butter mixture and beat until blended.

Cherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

In a medium separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Add this into the butter mixture while on low speed until just blended. Remove the bowl from the standing mixer and stir in the oats by hand. Fold in the cherries and walnuts and stir until just combined. Do not over mix!

Cherry Walnut Oatmeal CookiesCherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. Once ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350F and grease several cookie sheets or use silicon pats.

Cherry Walnut Oatmeal CookiesCherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

Evenly scoop the cookies onto the cookie sheets and cook in the oven for 8-10 minutes for smaller cookies and up to 12 minutes for larger cookies (we like larger cookies).

Cherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

7 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for the cookies!!! They were delicious and I loved the spin on a tried and true classic! I can't wait to add this recipe to my baking repertoire!

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    1. Thanks Katie! I am glad you enjoy them as much as we do! My husband has already requested another batch :) Happy Holidays!

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  2. Replies
    1. Don't worry sweet hubby, I am making more this weekend!

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  3. Hey Jess - do you think I could sub gluten free oats and almond flour in this one? And for the brown sugar coconut crystals?

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    Replies
    1. absolutely GF oats! I have never found quick cooking GF oats though, only GF rolled oats. So they might be a bit more oat-y (which I don't mind). I would find a GF flour blend instead of just using almond flour. But it never hurts to try!!

      And yes, you can sub coconut sugar instead of the brown sugar. Or use Sucanat sugar instead. Good luck and let me know if these work out!

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