CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL COOKIES WITH CHERRIES + PECANS
Friday, August 20, 2010 at 11:21AM 
I'm fresh off a girls road trip to Napa, California. We stayed at a wonderful hotel in Calistoga called Solage, rode bikes to local wineries, ate, laughed and participated in a self led water aerobics class. We think we're so funny, the lounging pool folk may attest otherwise. We enjoyed a personal tour and tasting at Kelly Fleming's vineyard, and chatted around her big farmhouse table. I get so inspired when I watch people pursue what they love. It is absolutely gorgeous up there. As a Southern California girl, I am awe struck by the landscape that is a mere 8 hours north.
My kitchen has been quiet the past few days, so we're sharing a recipe we had posted on The Kitchn earlier this week. Tara at Seven Spoons posted a version of this recipe quite a ways back, and her images haven't left my mind since. I knew that when I next committed to make a decadent, buttery, serious business cookie, this would be the one. Her post was about a year ago, which goes to show I don't have the self control to make 'serious business' cookies very often. They certainly met my expectations. After a year of thinking about them, they materialized into the soft centered, slightly crisp exterior I had hoped they'd be.
CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL COOKIES WITH CHERRIES + PECANS// Makes 24 cookies
Adapted from Cooks Illustrated
If you like a salty bite to your sweets, I would suggest giving them a sprinkle of sea salt just before you put them in the oven. Pairs perfectly with cold milk or some vanilla bean ice cream.
1 Cup Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/4 Cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
3/4 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 1/4 Cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
1 Cup Pecans, toasted and chopped
1 Cup Dried Cherries, chopped coarse
8 ounces Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped into small pieces OR chocolate chips
3/4 cup Unsalted Butter, softened but still cool
1 1/2 Cups Muscavado/Packed Dark Brown Sugar
1 Extra Large Egg
1 tsp Real Vanilla Extract
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
1. Use parchment paper or a silpat* to line several standard baking sheets and set aside.
In a bowl, sift together the flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
2.In another bowl combine the oats, pecans, dried cherries and chocolate.
In the bowl of a stand mixer or with a whisk and a strong arm, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Slowly add the egg and vanilla, and beat until incorporated.
3. Gently sift, or with the mixer down to low, add the flour mixture to the bowl. Stir until just combined. Finally incorporate the oats, nuts, fruit and chocolate. Do not overmix.
4. Roll these portions lightly between your hands in about 1/4 cup portions, then place on each baking sheet, spaced evenly. You can make them small, but adjust your baking time a few minutes less. Wet your hands and lightly press the dough to a 1-inch thickness. Bake the cookies, two trays at a time, in a preheated oven for 12 minutes. Rotate the trays top to bottom and back to front and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cookies are uniformly golden, but still wet in the middle. They should appear slightly undercooked.
5. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
* You can find a silpat at Bed Bath and Beyond or Amazon. They keep the bottoms on cookies or biscuits from burning, while also creating a non-stick surface. They come in a few sizes, so be sure it fits the measurements of your cookie sheet! 
Reader Comments (61)
I love that you came North! I live an hour from Napa...isn't it gorgeous up here? I still have a place in my heart for So-Cal though :)
That last picture with the melty chocolate chip? To die for. Oh how I am craving baking and cookies right about now.
You have such a beautiful site, Sara! And Hugh's photography is wonderful.
I loved reading about your trip...I could use a vacation (and a cookie) right now, so I'm totally living vicariously.
good lord woman! these pictures are amazing. i feel like stuffing five of these things in my mouth right now.
Mmm, I love a good hunky cookie!
breathtaking beautiful.
Wow.
Can't wait to try.
omg, I need to find myself an oatmeal cookie stat after seeing this! Del. I. CIOUS.
Delicious. Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies are just the best and adding in the cherries and nuts is such a superb idea. Also - that batter shot is totally mouth-watering!
My stomach is growling for these babies! Right up my alley. Thank you for sharing :) xo
Um, WOW. Just wow. So when are you opening a bakery?! :)
Can you tell me what the cookies in the picture are baking on
thanks
yum! Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are my favorite...and this recipe looks phenomenal!
these look amazing! I have to try them! unless I find something else on your site to try first...
You just reminded me of how long it's been since I made my own batch of chocolate chip cookies! I love them loaded with stuff like these, yum!
Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies are my favorite! Cherries and pecans? Even better. Thanks for the recipe. :)
holy moly!!! i too love oatmeal cookies. these look sensational! thank you for introducing me to my next pregnancy craving :)
Those look amazing! Now I am craving cookies (and a trip to Napa). Thanks for sharing ;)
those pictures are amazing...and the cookies look spectacular, can't wait to try these, thanks!
A girls weekend in Napa sounds perfect, and these delicious little babies are getting me in the mood for fall. Yum.
they were deeelishious- i ate them all .
I'm going to build a time machine so I can go back to yesterday, read this post and then make those cookies...all so I can be eating them NOW.
Love the silpat with the little circles. Where did you get it?
Oatmeal cherries, pecans and chocolate together, this one was meant for me.
Also curios about the silpat. You made an asterick for a note but I didn't see any additional information.
Also, I think these are standard size cookies (2 1/2 to 3 inch across)? Rather than mini cookies? Thanks.
Mmmmmm these look SO good. I love the combination of chocolate chips, cherries and nuts. I think I need to go make myself breakfast because I'm drooling thinking about these!!
The French: Hmm I believe it's from Home Goods? I know that store is hit or miss, so you could try Amazon as well!
Andrea: I fixed the silpat note, thank you! Yes, these are larger/standard cookies. Mini's would be SO cute!
Any tips on what I can substitute the 1 egg with seeing as I've recently been diagnosed as intolerant to eggs and on the look out for natural substitutes for eggs in desserts (my favourite meal)??!!
I'm really, REALLY disappointed these aren't healthy. Take it back.... say they are. On point, how many did hugh scarf? :)
Laura: I would play around with a mixture of banana and flaxmeal, as both of these can help as binders (to an extent). I'd guess about a 1/4 mixture here, but that's a guess :) There is also a product at health food stores called Ener-G, that is a tasteless egg replacer for vegans or people with allergies. Good luck!
yours are gorgeous, sara! hopefully worth the wait - you're far stronger than me.
drat it all, now i want some.
wonderfully rich. They sound like "cowboy" cookies. Yihaa!!!
I made the cookies last night and they were delicious, but I just realized - the vanilla is not mentioned further than the list of ingredients!
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Yum! I love the idea of dried cherries in a cookie! How fun!
these look amazing... where did you get the nonstick liner so you know where to put the cookies... Mine always melt into each other.
thanks
I just found your blog through another, and I'm so very glad I did! Love all the gorgeous food and I also love how easy to navigate your site. Your blog will be on my must reads! I live up here in San Francisco Bay Area, and love all the "food mad" people up here, as I am one of them. Your cooking style seems to really fit Nor Cal, ever think of relocating up here?? :)
These look amazing! I love anything that has oatmeal in it and chocolate- so this is a good combo! I might have to try these soon!
Yum. I love this combo -- it reminds me of fall, which may be on its way!
This makes me itch to make cookies. I'll hold out for as long as I can.
I love your statement "I get so inspired when I watch people pursue what they love." So so true and I completely agree. Sometimes observing and learning about how others pursue their dreams is the best motivation for yourself to go after your own.
And these cookies look amazing. I lovvvveee cherry desserts.
Great timing, Sara! I have some women coming and these would be a super addition to the table.
your photos are making me drool. must try those cookies soon!
You blog is beautiful! I saw that recipe on the kitchn and was in love...
Isn't it such a refreshing thing, going somewhere and seeing people in the midst of something they love? It always leaves me inspired and full of spunk for something new.
Yum.. like everyone else, I'm in love with the silpat with the circles in it. I'm going to BB&B this weekend to hunt it down!
Homemade cookies! Mmm. With milk. Gotta make them. Now.
where did you get that awesome cookie sheet liner i want one! The cookies look delicious by the way.
Ironic - I'm sitting in lax now waiting on a flight home. We road-tripped from Portland and stayed two days in napa earlier in the week. A lively place - I'd move there in a second!!
You two make a great team...The food and photos look incredible!
The texture of these cookies look amazing. Again nice job on the blogpost and pictures!
YUMMMMMMM!
omg. my head and heart just exploded. these cookies look amazing!