Decadent Chocolate Cherry Chewies
Indulge in the ultimate treat with these Decadent Chocolate Cherry Chewies! Crafted with love from the brilliant mind of Tabitha Alterman for Mother Earth News, this recipe combines rich molasses and the warm flavors of caramelized brown sugar to deliver a chewy and delightful cookie. The unique blend of oat flour keeps the cookies moist for longer, while the addition of a variety of flours and coarse sugar fortifies their structure, creating the ideal texture. Bursting with luscious chocolate chips and sweet dried cherries, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. Feel free to experiment with different types of flours and sweeteners to make them uniquely yours!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unsalted Butter
3/4 cup (melted)
Brown Sugar
1 1/4 cups (packed)
Coarse Raw Sugar
1/4 cup (for mixing)
Molasses
2 tablespoons (for mixing)
Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tablespoon (for mixing)
Pure Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 tablespoons (for mixing)
Baking Soda
3/4 teaspoon (for dry mixture)
Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon (for dry mixture)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (for dry mixture)
Ground Cinnamon
2 teaspoons (for dry mixture)
Ground Ginger
1/4 teaspoon (for dry mixture)
Ground Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (for dry mixture)
Large Egg
1 (beaten)
Oat Flour
1/3 cup (for mixing)
Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/4 cup (for mixing)
Whole Wheat Flour
1 cup (for mixing)
Rolled Oats
1 cup (for mixing)
Chocolate Chips
1 1/2 cups (for mixing)
Dried Cherries
1 1/2 cups (for mixing)
Instructions
1
Begin by melting the unsalted butter in a saucepan over low heat. Gradually stir in the brown sugar, cooking and stirring constantly until the mixture begins to bubble and the sugar is just starting to caramelize. Remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature.
2
Once cooled, mix in the coarse raw sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, and pure vanilla extract until well incorporated.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg to create your dry mixture.
4
Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and combine thoroughly. Then, beat in the large egg until the dough is smooth.
5
Gradually fold in the oat flour, unbleached all-purpose flour, and whole wheat flour until just incorporated. Finally, stir in the rolled oats, chocolate chips, and dried cherries until evenly distributed.
6
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is warming, lightly grease and flour a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
7
Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced evenly apart. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill for about 10 minutes, which will help the cookies maintain their shape.
8
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 12 minutes. The cookies are done when the center still appears slightly gooey. Remove them from the oven, allowing them to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9
After the baking sheet has cooled down, you can start preparing the next batch of cookie dough.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Chocolate Cherry Chewies?
They are a rich and chewy cookie featuring a blend of oat, whole wheat, and all-purpose flours, packed with chocolate chips and dried cherries.
Who is the creator of this recipe?
This recipe was developed by Tabitha Alterman for Mother Earth News.
What makes these cookies exceptionally chewy?
The combination of molasses, caramelized brown sugar, and the moisture-retaining properties of oat flour ensures a chewy texture.
Do I need to melt the butter for this recipe?
Yes, you must melt the unsalted butter over low heat and then cook it with brown sugar to begin the caramelization process.
How do I caramelize the brown sugar?
Stir the brown sugar into the melted butter constantly until the mixture bubbles and the sugar starts to caramelize.
Should the butter mixture be hot when adding other ingredients?
No, you must remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature before adding subsequent ingredients.
Why is apple cider vinegar included in the recipe?
Apple cider vinegar is used to react with the leavening agents and improve the overall texture and lift of the cookies.
What types of sugar are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a combination of packed brown sugar and coarse raw sugar.
What spices are in the dry mixture?
The dry mixture includes ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg for a warm flavor profile.
What is the benefit of using oat flour in these cookies?
Oat flour helps the cookies stay moist for a longer period of time compared to using wheat flour alone.
Which flours are required for the dough?
The recipe requires three types of flour: oat flour, unbleached all-purpose flour, and whole wheat flour.
Are there actual oats in the cookies or just flour?
Both are used; the recipe calls for 1/3 cup of oat flour and 1 cup of rolled oats for added texture.
How much chocolate and cherries are in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1.5 cups of chocolate chips and 1.5 cups of dried cherries.
At what temperature should I preheat my oven?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
You can either lightly grease and flour the baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
Is chilling the dough necessary?
Yes, chilling the dough on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
The cookies should bake for 8 to 12 minutes depending on your oven.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies are ready when the center still appears slightly gooey but the edges are set.
What is the cooling process for these cookies?
Allow them to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Can I substitute ingredients in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe description encourages experimenting with different types of flours and sweeteners.
What role does molasses play?
Molasses adds a rich depth of flavor and contributes to the soft, chewy moisture of the cookie.
Do I need to beat the egg?
Yes, the recipe specifies beating in the large egg until the dough is smooth.
Why is coarse raw sugar used in the dough?
The coarse sugar helps fortify the structure of the cookie and adds a unique textural element.
What kind of vanilla should I use?
The recipe calls for pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe specifically calls for unsalted butter, but if you use salted, you may want to reduce the added salt in the dry mixture.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 19 specific ingredients listed for this recipe.
Is the flour unbleached?
Yes, the recipe specifies using unbleached all-purpose flour.
Can I use dried cranberries instead of cherries?
While the recipe is for Chocolate Cherry Chewies, you can experiment with other dried fruits as suggested in the description.
Should I wait for the baking sheet to cool between batches?
Yes, you should wait until the baking sheet has cooled down before preparing the next batch of cookie dough.
What are the leavening agents used?
This recipe uses both baking soda and baking powder to help the cookies rise.