Tart Cherry Oatmeal Cookies for #CreativeCookieExchange

The theme was set as seasonal spring baking. I was really excited about this one. It’s because it is for cookies and it is spring. I had the perfect inspiration: strawberries. Having them in cookies is a challenge because they are mostly water. Then I saw a way to oven dry them. It seemed simple enough. Three hours and a massive failure later, I bailed on the plan. So I switched to Tart Cherry Oatmeal Cookies as an ode to seasonal spring baking.

So what happened with those strawberries? Here’s what is supposed to happen. You slice strawberries and lay them on parchment or non-stick liner on baking sheets. Bake them at 200°F for a couple of hours. What you should get are chewy pieces that taste like candy. I got rubber that tasted awful. I wouldn’t eat them or put them in cookies either. Oven drying two pounds of strawberries turned into a complete waste of time, effort, and money.

Next up I thought of cherries. The season for them is coming. Sadly there were no fresh cherries in the store yet. My plan was to chop cherries then press out the juice between paper towels. It’s hard to do that when you don’t have cherries. Alas I bought a bag of dried tart cherries. So at least I thought of cherry season when baking these cookies. That counts right? Sure it does.

Tart Cherry Oatmeal Cookies are chewy. It’s basically a classic oatmeal cookie recipe with cherries instead of raisins. I threw chopped pecans in the mix too. It’s because I also thought of a cherry crisp with a crumbly oatmeal pecan topping. Cherries, pecans, and a touch of cinnamon go so well together.

Do you bake seasonal cookies? When I hear the term I think of holiday cookies. However it can apply throughout the year. Scroll down to see what cookies the Creative Cookie Exchange bakers did for the theme. Also take a look at my Cherry Viennese Sandwich Cookies, Cowboy Cookies, and Lavender Poppy Seed Shortbread. Both are connected to a season other than the holidays.

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Tart Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

Tart Cherry Oatmeal Cookies are loaded with cherries and pecans. They are a delightfully sweet treat with the wholesome goodness of oats.

Course Cookie

Cuisine American

Prep Time 22 minutes

Cook Time 48 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings 4 dozen

Author Renee Dobbs

Ingredients

• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
• 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups uncooked old-fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup chopped dried tart cherries
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or non-stick liner.
2. Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
4. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture and beat until just combined.
5. Stir in oats, cherries, and pecans.
6. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
7. Bake for 10 minutes, or until light golden brown on the edges.
8. Cool cookies on baking sheet for 1 minute. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely.

Recipe Notes

Tart Cherry Oatmeal Cookies are loaded with cherries and pecans. They are a delightfully sweet treat with the wholesome goodness of oats.

Spring is here! And with it loads of great flavors for baking!

You can also use us as a great resource for cookie recipes. Be sure to check out our Pinterest Board and our monthly posts (you can find all of them here at The Spiced Life). You will be able to find them the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month! Also, if you are looking for inspiration to get in the kitchen and start baking, check out what all of the hosting bloggers have made:

• Chocolate Chocolate Cherry Cookies from 2 Cookin’ Mamas
• Jam Thumbprint Cookies from A Baker’s House
• Lavender Shortbread with Lemon Drizzle from Baking in Pyjamas
• Lemon and Cream Cookies from Basic N Delicious
• Lychee Melting Moments from Flours and Frostings
• Rhubarb Dream Bars… Trifle from The Spiced Life
• Rhubarb Lemon Drop Cookies from A Shaggy Dough Story
• Sticky Mango Shortbread Bars from All That’s Left Are The Crumbs
• Strawberry Cheesecake Bars from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Tart Cherry Oatmeal Cookies from Magnolia Days

If you are a blogger and want to join in the fun, contact Laura via email (thespicedlife AT gmail DOT com) and she will get you added to our Facebook group where discuss our cookies and share links.