Description
These soft and chewy tart cherry cookies combine the hearty texture of oats with the tangy sweetness of dried tart cherries and a decadent chocolate kiss center. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger make every bite cozy and flavorful. Perfect for gifting, gatherings, or cozy nights in!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 3/4 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- 1 2/3 cups (209g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon EACH ground cloves, ground nutmeg, ground ginger
- 1 cup (16 Tbsp) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses
- 1 cup dried tart cherries
- 26–28 chocolate kisses
- 3 oz vanilla almond bark, chopped (optional)
- 1/4 tsp coconut oil or vegetable shortening (optional)
Instructions
- Mix oats, flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Add eggs, vanilla, and molasses; mix well.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients, then stir in cherries.
- Chill dough for 30–60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets.
- Scoop dough into 2-tbsp balls, space 2″ apart.
- Bake 10–12 minutes; centers should look soft.
- Cool 8 minutes, press a chocolate kiss into each.
- Optional: Melt almond bark with oil, drizzle over cookies.
Notes
- Do not over-chill the dough or overbake the cookies.
- Use high-quality dried tart cherries for best flavor.
- Soften butter and bring eggs to room temperature before starting.
- Cookies will set as they cool for a chewy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 185 calories
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: tart cherry cookies, cherry oatmeal cookies, cherry blossom cookies, chocolate kiss cookies, cherry molasses cookies, cherry spice cookies, chewy cherry cookies, dried cherry desserts