What’s Cookin’ for Father’s Day?

June 19th, 2009

Guest Blogger, Sara Boehm

My mother called me this week and asked me what I was contributing to our Father’s Day celebration this weekend. Exploring my refrigerator I found some ripe cherries that I picked up at the Greensburg Farmers Market a couple weeks back. Instead of tossing them, I popped them into my dehydrator, dried them out and used them as a main ingredient in this delicious recipe that makes about four dozen cookies. My father has a severe sweet tooth so I know he’s sure to enjoy these delicious treats.

Chocolate Chunk and Cherry Cookies

Sift or mix together the dry ingredients; flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• 2 1/4 cups flour (wheat or white)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
• 1/2 cup soft unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar

Add in eggs, and vanilla, and continue to beat.
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Slowly add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed.

With a wooden spoon, fold in the chocolate and cherries.
• 8 ounces chocolate; milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, whatever you like best, chopped into bite sized chunks
• 1 cup dried cherries, chopped

Optional Ingredients
• You can also add some more excitement with 1 cup of your favorite nuts and even oatmeal

Preheat the oven to 375ºF.

Scoop heaping tablespoonfuls onto nonstick greased cookie sheets. Bake until golden, about 12- 15 minutes, rotating the sheets after six minutes. Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool and repeat the process with the remaining dough.

What’s cookin’ at your Father’s Day celebration this weekend? Share your recipes with us at insider@laurelhighlands.org