Mmmm, don’t you just love dried cherries? I could eat the whole bag if you let me. So when Payson Fruit Growers contacted to to try their product, I said yes. I secretly want to do a taste test with my favorite brand, Archer Farms from Target.
Payson Fruit Growers sent me a bag of dried tart cherries and Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate. I have not used the Cherry Juice concentrate yet, but I hear it is great with ice cream.
The cherries were wonderful. Moist, perfectly tart and not the least bit bitter, just the way I like them.
I knew I had to use them in my White Chocolate Cherry Macadamia Nut Cookies. When I worked at the bakery, I bought this recipe along with me to test with the patrons. It was one of the most poplar cookies sold! I was hesitant, but I did leave the recipe at the bakery so she could continue to sell them when I left.
- 8 oz (2 sticks) butter, softened but still cold
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups flour
- ¾ teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup dried tart cherries, chopped
- 1 bag white chocolate chips
- ½ cup macadamia nuts, toasted and chopped
- Preheat the oven to 350. Place the nuts onto a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes or until they start to turn golden and you can start to smell them
- In a medium bowl, cream together butter and both sugars just until incorporated.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until just incorporated.
- In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar and again mix until just incorporated.
- Stir in the cherries,chocolate chips and macadamia nuts.
- Portion out the cookies into 2 oz portions (about the size of a large cookie scoop). Place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Cover and place in the fridge for several hours. I always leave mine overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- Place the chilled cookie dough balls onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet before removing.
these look awesome! i love white chocolate + cherries.
Oh, man. Those could get me into trouble–the kind of trouble that lingers on my hips and bum.
Mmmmm white chocolate and cherries are a perfect pair! YUM
wonderful I agree, love these chunky delights.
Loved your cookies..will give ‘em a try
Wow these look great! I’d love to try making these with dark chocolate chunks too!
These might be a favorite cookie and I haven’t even tried them! I love cherries. Cross my heart
When did you work in bakery?
Thanks Dana. I worked at the bakery a few months ago. I worked there for about 4-5 months.
But it was fun.
I didn’t learn as much as I would have hoped.
Oh wow you read my mind. I never buy white chocolate but on a whim just did this week. Great looking coopies and recipe!
These would go over quite well in our home since Grumpy is a huge white chocolate fan! Sound mouthwatering!
White chocolate and cherries is always a winning combo
These sound so good! A fun combination
Love those flavors in a cookie! I’m going to have to try those soon… my oldest would absolutely adore them!
What a great combo of flavors. Must give these a try. Thanks.
Oh yes, I do love dried cherries. However, I’m not overly fond of white chocolate. Think I may try these cookies using dark chocolate. I know you won’t mind!
These look awesome!! Loving the white chocolate/cherry combo.
Great recipe. White chocolate and cherries is a winner. Have a nice weekend.
I can see why these were so popular – they look fabulous, I’m a big dried cherry fan!
Yum!! These cookies look delicious Leslie!
what a clear photo.
i wish i had money for a new camera.
makes all the difference doesn’t it?
these look good honeybunch!
These look so delicious…I am such a fan of dried cherries in cookies.
I will take a dozen!
Great cookie combination! I bet these are so tasty. I wanted to let you know about my cookbook giveaway that is going on right now until July 16th. Stop on by to enter! Hope you are having a great week
http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-first-giveaway.html
Popped over to check your blog out after reading your guest post. Glad I found you. Great stuff on here.
oh. these looks yummy. white chocolate and dried sour cherries are always a magical combination.
i love dried cherries–no pits! plus, they go together with white chocolate extremely well. nice work!
I bet these are delicious!! I love Archer Farms stuff, well, because I am a Target junkie, so any reason to have to go there and buy ingredients…I am IN!
this is one of my most favorite combinations ever! there used to be a little cookie cafe at Union Station in DC that sold these. LOVED them.
Oh damn you Leslie, these look amazing and now I want cookies! =( hahaha
Hi Leslie
What size bag of white chocolate are you referring to, is it the 12oz bags, I’ve seen some in a smaller size too.
Also, I do not like macadamia nuts, is there any other kind of nuts I could use. Who won the dried cherries taste test?
Jackie,
Thanks for your comment/question. I used a 11 oz bag of white chocolate chips. If you dont like macadamia nuts, you can substitute hazelnuts or even pecans. I am sure both would be delicious! Both cherry brands were delicious. I would say Paysons Fruit growers came out a bit ahead. They were a bit more moist.