Dark Chocolate Dried Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

I'm not sure that these cookies really need an introduction. I mean, gooey chocolate, tart cherries, and crisp oatmeal, all combined into a chewy cookie -- who wouldn't be excited about that?

My inspiration for making a chocolate-cherry-oatmeal cookie came from Epicurious, which boasts a highly rated recipe with a very long and expensive ingredient list. Loving the idea, but not willing to spend quite so much, I embarked on a search to find a more reasonable (but just as tasty) option.

I settled on this one from Bake or Break, and haven't looked back. To me, it's a perfectly simple process that produces a perfectly crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside cookie. It definitely ranks among my current favorites.

Dark Chocolate Dried Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

(adapted from Bake or Break)

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 eggs
• 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 oats
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 8 ounces dark chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli 70% cacao)

Preheat oven to 350°.

Beat butter and brown sugar together until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture just until combined. Do not overmix. Stir in oats, cherries, and chocolate.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto lined or lightly greased 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 racks to cool completely.