Delicious and Healthy: Heart Smart Small Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
Discover the delightful taste of a true winner – the Heart Smart Oatmeal Chocolate Cherry Cookies. This exceptional recipe, once crowned the best in a prestigious Cooking Light magazine contest, triumphed over other delectable contenders like Mexican Shortbread and Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies. It’s a testament to the perfect balance of wholesome ingredients and irresistible flavor. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a smart choice for those who love to indulge without compromising on health. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, this small-batch recipe makes it easy to whip up a fresh batch of chewy, chocolatey, and fruity goodness whenever a craving strikes.
Small Batch Baking: Perfect for Every Craving
There’s a unique charm to baking a small batch of cookies. It’s ideal for satisfying that sudden sweet tooth without ending up with dozens of treats lingering on the counter. The convenience of a small batch also means less time spent baking and fewer ingredients used, making it perfect for solo indulgence, a treat for two, or a thoughtful gesture for a close friend. With all the necessary ingredients readily available in my pantry, I decided to whip up a quick half-batch yesterday, initially planning to share them with my friend Jennie. As they emerged from the oven, warm and fragrant, the melted chocolate chunks creating gooey rivers within the oat-rich dough, I had a moment of delicious selfishness. They looked and smelled so good, I worried they might taste “too healthy” to truly impress Jennie right away, and honestly, they needed a bit of time to set properly. Sometimes, the best things are worth waiting for, and savoring for yourself first!
The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. While the original award-winning version features dried cherries, I opted for dried cranberries on this particular occasion. The tartness of the cranberries proved to be a fantastic complement to the rich chocolate and hearty oats, creating a wonderfully balanced flavor profile. This flexibility allows you to customize the cookies based on what you have on hand or what fruit you prefer, making them a versatile addition to your baking repertoire. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different dried fruits to discover your favorite combination!
The Heart Smart Advantage: Indulge Guilt-Free
After giving the cookies ample time to cool and set, I finally took a bite. The verdict? Absolutely delicious! The initial gooeyness had transformed into a perfectly chewy texture, and the flavors had melded beautifully. I instantly regretted not sharing them with Jennie, realizing they were far too good to keep to myself. But then again, perhaps it’s an excellent excuse to bake another batch soon, especially once I get my hands on some actual dried cherries as the original recipe calls for. While the cranberry version was certainly a hit, there’s something special about trying the recipe exactly as it won its prestigious award.
These cookies aren’t just tasty; they’re designed with wellness in mind. The “Heart Smart” designation comes from several key ingredients known for their health benefits. Old-fashioned rolled oats are a cornerstone, packed with soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol and promotes satiety. Dried cherries, whether tart or sweet, are bursting with antioxidants, which combat inflammation and support overall cardiovascular health. Dark or bittersweet chocolate, when consumed in moderation, offers flavanols that can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. And finally, walnuts contribute healthy omega-3 fatty acids, known to reduce the risk of heart disease. Baking with a blend of white whole wheat and all-purpose flour also boosts the fiber content compared to using just refined flour, adding another layer of nutritional value. So, each bite of these cookies isn’t just a treat for your taste buds, but a small contribution to your well-being.
Tips for Perfect Oatmeal Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Achieving the perfect cookie every time, even with a small batch, comes down to a few simple tips. Firstly, always ensure your ingredients are measured accurately. Baking is a science, and precise measurements, especially of flour and sugar, can make a significant difference in texture and spread. For the flour, using a mixture of white whole wheat and all-purpose flour adds a pleasant chewiness and a boost of fiber without making the cookie too dense. When combining the dry and wet ingredients, avoid overmixing. Mix just until everything is combined to keep your cookies tender and soft.
The type of chocolate you choose can also impact the final flavor. Bittersweet chocolate provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of the sugar and cherries, while milk chocolate would offer a creamier, milder profile. Feel free to adjust based on your preference. Toasted walnuts add a depth of flavor and a lovely crunch, so don’t skip this step! A quick toast in a dry pan or a few minutes in the oven can enhance their natural nuttiness considerably. Finally, allowing the cookies to cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking, ensuring they hold their shape beautifully.
Oatmeal Chocolate Cherry Cookies — Small Batch Recipe
This recipe yields approximately 15 delightful cookies, making it perfect for a personal treat or a small gathering. Enjoy the process of creating these award-winning, heart-smart delights right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients:
⅓ cup flour, use a mixture of white whole wheat and all-purpose (42 grams total)
¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter (42 grams)
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar (75 grams)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons lightly beaten egg (28 grams)
½ cup dried cherries (or cranberries)
1 ½ ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (42 grams)
¼ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine the flours, old-fashioned rolled oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients well to ensure they are evenly distributed.
- In a large microwave-safe liquid measuring cup, microwave the unsalted butter for about a minute, or until it is fully melted. Stir the light brown sugar into the melted butter and allow the mixture to cool for approximately 5 minutes. This cooling step is crucial to prevent the egg from cooking when added.
- Add the cooled butter-sugar mixture and vanilla extract to the flour mixture. Stir gently with a spoon or spatula for only one or two strokes. Next, add the lightly beaten egg and continue to stir just until all ingredients are blended into a cohesive dough.
- Stir in the dried cherries (or cranberries) and the toasted, chopped walnuts. Before adding the chocolate, ensure the cookie batter isn’t too warm, as this can cause the chocolate to melt prematurely. Once the batter is cool enough, stir in the coarsely chopped bittersweet chocolate.
- Drop the cookie dough by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for proper spreading during baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking pan for 3 minutes, or until they are almost firm enough to handle.
- Carefully remove the cookies from the pans and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. Cooling on wire racks ensures air circulation, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy and helping to achieve that perfect chewy texture.
This recipe yields approximately 15 delicious and healthy Heart Smart Oatmeal Chocolate Cherry Cookies.
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Recipe
Oatmeal Chocolate Cherry Cookies — Small Batch
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup flour use a mixture of white whole wheat and all-purpose (42 grams total)
- ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 42 grams
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar 75 grams
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lightly beaten egg 28 grams
- ½ cup dried cherries or cranberries
- 1 ½ ounces bittersweet chocolate coarsely chopped (42 grams)
- ¼ cup walnuts toasted and chopped
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°. Combine flours, oats, baking soda and salt in a bowl and mix well.
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Microwave the butter for about a minute (or until melted) in a large microwave-safe liquid measuring cup. Stir the sugar into the butter and let cool for about 5 minutes.
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Add sugar mixture and vanilla to flour mixture and stir one or two strokes; add egg and stir until blended. Stir in cherries and nuts. Make sure batter isn’t too warm, then stir in chocolate. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.
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Bake at 350° for 12 minutes. Cool on pan 3 minutes or until almost firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks.
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Makes 15 cookies
Baking these Heart Smart Oatmeal Chocolate Cherry Cookies is more than just following a recipe; it’s about embracing a moment of wholesome indulgence. Whether you’re seeking a healthier dessert option, a quick treat for a small household, or simply love the classic combination of oats, chocolate, and fruit, this recipe delivers on all fronts. Its award-winning status is well-deserved, offering a perfect blend of texture, flavor, and nutritional benefits. Don’t hesitate to try this small-batch marvel and experience why it earned its place as a favorite among cookie enthusiasts. Enjoy every heart-smart bite!