We love using Michigan dried cherries in many recipes, from tossing them into a simple salad, including them in rolled pork filling, and a variety of yummy desserts and snack treats.

Prep Time: 25 min
Cook Time: 8 min

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 c softened butter
• 1 1/4 c packed light brown sugar
• 1 whole egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 c all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3 c quick or old fashioned raw oatmeal
• 1 c Michigan dried cherries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Place butter and brown sugar into your mixing bowl. Cream butter and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla at low speed, as not to splash, until well blended. In a separate bowl combine all dry ingredients except the oats,until well incorporated.
3. Add dry ingredients slowly to the butter mixture mixing well. Stir in oatmeal and the cherries by hand. Adding in 3 to 4 stages until totally incorporated. NO dry spots.
4. Drop by a rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet pan. Place 1-2 inches apart usually 3 x 4 or 5 per pan. Bake until lightly golden brown, about 8 minutes. Do Not Over Bake that will dry them out. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet, then remove to a cooling rack. Now grab your favorite drink and enjoy the fruits of your wares.

Notes

You can use any dried cherry that you choose. Being a Michigander We prefer Traverse City, Michigan dried cherries. You can substitute imitation vanilla extract for pure but you may want to add another 1/2 tsp. You can also substitute dark brown sugar for light. You could add nuts and or chocolate to the mix.