‘Tis the season for giving, for traditions, for spending time with family and friends, and for being truly grateful for what we have. Oh yeah, and a little holiday baking makes the season bright, too. These oatmeal cookies, studded with dark chocolate chips and dried cherries, are fun to make with the kids. They can mix, scoop and shape the dough…and then act as the official taste-testers. You’ll see my two boys in action in the video.
These cookies have a bit of a healthy spin. About half of the flour is whole wheat and half of the butter is replaced with unsweetened applesauce and a touch of canola oil. Okay, so there’s still a healthy dose of brown sugar in the mix, but I figured we all need a little indulgence during the holidays. Scroll down for the recipe.
This is my first video and, let me tell you, the iMovie learning curve was a steep one for me. So, be kind! My boys make an appearance about halfway through, with my youngest adding in a dose of his silliness as he rolls the cookies.
As I mentioned in the Holiday Chocolate & Peppermint Cheesecake Bar post, I am thrilled to be working with OXO and to help them get the word out about Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. At the end of the video, there are some ideas about how you can help to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
Other videos in support of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer:
Fifteen Spatula’s Crinkled Ginger Molasses Cookies
Katie’s Cucina’s Creme de Menthe Chunk Cookie
The Naptime Chef’s Classic Crescent Cookies
Love & Olive Oil’s Orange & Dark Chocolate Biscotti
The Little Kitchen’s Meyer Lemon & White Chocolate Biscotti
Inspired Taste’s Soft & Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Chocolate & Dried Cherry Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1/4 cup + 2 teaspoon unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup dried cherries coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, with the rack set in the lower third of the oven. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with a hand-held mixer (or use a stand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the applesauce and canola oil, and mix again.
- Add the egg and vanilla, and beat until combined.
- With the mixer set on low, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, and beat until just combined. Do not over beat.
- Stir in the oats, chocolate chips and dried cherries.
- Using 1½ tablespoon for each cookie, scoop out dough, then roll into a ball between your hands. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart, and flatten slightly.
- Bake until the edges are set and just starting to brown, and the centers are still soft, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post and video was sponsored by OXO. Regardless of sponsorship, OXO tools are simply my favorite to work with in the kitchen. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
carrian says
Dara!! This was such a fantastic video!! Your boys are so darn sweet.
Maria says
Nice work! The cookies look great and you have the best kitchen helpers!
Brooks says
Dara, I love the lightened up version of these cookies with half the fat and a healthier flour choice. How nice it is to have a couple of apprentice bakers to help out too. BTW, you’re a natural in front of the camera…let’s see more in 2013. Season’s greetngs from NorCal!
Kelley says
Fantastic! You are a natural in front of the camera and those boys of yours are adorable. Nice work!
Ps- I’m putting those little liquid measuring cups on my wish list this year 😉
marla says
FABULOUS!!! Love the cookies and YOU in this video. Looking beautiful my dear 🙂
Flavia says
Great video, Dara! Your boys are adorable and the recipe sounds wonderful. Happy holidays to you and your family! xo
Sheila says
love it! these cookies look so good, and your video is awesome ; )
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Look out Food Network!!!! I loooooooved watching!
Joanne @ Fifteen Spatulas says
DUDE!!! Your video is amazing!!! Seriously Dara. You are unbelievably natural on camera…you should do videos more often (though, I know it’s a lot of work. I’ve started doing them weekly and that’s about all I can handle lol). One other thing I noticed is that your audio quality is really good…what mic are you using?
PS Thanks for linking to my video, I’m going to add your link and the others to my post as well. Happy holidays!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck) says
Thank you, Joanne! I’m definitely tempted to do more videos in the future.
For the audio, I used the Audio-Technica ATR3350 Lavalier Microphone. Here’s the Amazon link: http://amzn.to/SBuyrd For $17, you just can’t beat it!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
Fantastic video, Dara, and for such a great cause, too! The recipe couldn’t be more perfect for the holidays with the chocolate and cherries – always a great combination.
Holly says
Great recipe, I love adding dried cherries or cranberries to cookies. I like your method of using applesauce — will have to try it.
[email protected] Food Ramblings says
yay for the video!
Cathy @ Noble Pig says
If that was your first video, you’re going to be a star!! Love how your younger son kept saying, “thanks Mom”…so sweet!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
I know I say this every time, but you really are a natural on camera!
marla says
Psst. Linking back to these in an upcoming post…
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
The new video is awesome!! And these cookies sound lovely too 🙂
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Great job on the video, Dara! The cookies look fabulous and so flavorful. I’d love to try them for myself!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
So fun to see your video, these cookies look great!
addie | culicurious says
These cookies look great 🙂 I love oatmeal cookie versions – especially those with dried cherries
Deborah says
I loved this, Dara! You should definitely do more videos in the future!
JulieD says
Great recipe and I LOVE the video!! Your sons are so cute!! I love that one of them got so excited and started singing and even danced a little. 😀
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