Chocolate Toffee Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Cherries
Soft and chewy drop cookies packed full of chocolate chunks, toffee bits, rolled oats and dried cherries.
I need to share something with you, and I really hope you don’t mind.
Life is pretty difficult right now. My Mom passed away almost 3 months ago and I’m still taking it one day at a time. Some days are almost normal with brief moments of grief, but on other days the grief is all-consuming, and then there are days when I just feel numb.
I put on a brave face and try to be strong. Life goes on, after all. When people ask me how I’m doing, I keep it simple with “I’m okay” because the whole story is so much more complicated than that.
You may have noticed things aren’t quite 100% around here, and I hope you’ll bear with me while I get back to some sense of normalcy. I must admit that on some days making, photographing and writing about food is the last thing I want to do, but I am also grateful for the distraction.
And your love and support mean so much to me. Thank you, dear readers, for being there.
This recipe is a copycat of a batch of cookies someone sent us the week after Mom died (See above, we were gifted so many wonderful treats!). I was intrigued by the combination of chocolate, oats, toffee and dried cherries and completely fell in love with them. We all did.
I’ve baked several batches of my own version, trying to get the recipe just right, and I think I’ve finally nailed it. The cookies are crisp on the edges, soft in the middle and chewy throughout. The many flavors makes them fun and complex— each bite is a little different.
I think I’m going to nickname these cookies “Healing Broken Hearts Cookies”, because cookies are always so cheerful. And because this recipe will always remind me of the kindness of others during a really dark time.
Chocolate Toffee Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Cherries
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (170 grams)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
- 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (213 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (300 grams)
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (100 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chunks or chips (170 grams)
- ½ cup toffee bits (75 grams)
- ½ cup dried cherries (71 grams)
- Sea salt , for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars on high speed until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes, scraping the bowl down once or twice.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each, followed by the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and mix until just combined.
- Add the oats, chocolate, dried cherries and toffee bits. Mix until just combined.
- Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared sheet pan and bake until edges just begin to turn brown, about 9-11 minutes.
- Sprinkle baked cookies with sea salt, if desired and let cool on the pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat with remaining cookie dough.
Baking is always a good distraction for me in tough times, though I can’t imagine what you must be going through having lost your Mom. Hope being in the kitchen helps, and sending sweet and healing thoughts your way. These cookies look fantastic – definitely adding to my baking list.
I will be mourning the 3rd yr anniversary of my mom’s passing tomorrow and all I can tell you ,my dear, is that time is the only healer. You will always have an ache in your heart but you will smile more remembering the wonderful moments together.
I hear you and send my sympathies. I cried daily for about 3 months when my Dad passed away in 2012. I still miss him every day, but have accepted that (1) all my grief doesn’t bring him back or change the situation and (2) he would want me to be happy and know joy again. You will get there, too.
Thank you so much, Lina! I can’t tell you how helpful that is to hear.
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom… I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. I’m glad these cookies are letting a little bit of sweetness into your days. xoxo
Thank you so much Sues!
Oh, I’m so sorry, dear. It really hasn’t been that long, has it? I lost someone unexpectedly a few years ago and I was sad, angry and resentful for a good two years because it was so effing unfair. I was supposed to have a lot more time with him. It was like it had hollowed something out in me. It probably doesn’t help much to hear this, but eventually those feelings of grief will start to level out and you’ll find yourself healing. It’s not something you ever get over (I’m starting to choke up now, six years later, thinking about my lost boy), but you can go on and be happy again. Don’t be hard on yourself or try to force yourself to get better before you’re ready. Putting on a brave face is good, but don’t worry or chastise yourself if that’s all it is for now. Please let us know how you’re doing, we don’t mind at all.
I’m going to save this recipe to try, too. Your regular oatmeal cookie recipe is so good I wish I could legally adopt it, so this one is going to the top of my pile.
I helps so much to hear this, thank you Erin! xoxo
Losing your mom is so hard. Hang in there, it does get easier as time goes by. The cookies look like the perfect comfort food.
Thanks Barbara!
These are pretty much my ideal cookie! And I’m still so sorry about your mom. I know this weekend will be rough friend, but you’ll be in my thoughts.
Thank you so much for you kind words, Melissa! They mean a lot.
I can’t imagine how hard that must be. Sending lots of virtual hugs your way. <3