Some people don’t like white chocolate. Some people don’t like cherries. Some people don’t like salt on their desserts.
But I happen to love all three.
I also happen to love soft and chewy cookies.
And non-fussy recipes where I don’t need a mixer (this is a one-bowl recipe).
So these cookies were born.
Soft and chewy, with mild caramel tones from brown sugar, a little punch of tartness from dried cherries, milky sweetness from white chocolate, and a pop of saltiness.
These are some of the best cookies I’ve ever baked (and I’ve baked PLENTY). And they are very easy to make.
If you’re already thinking of what cookies to bake for the holidays, these would be perfect for your holiday platter, and a nice change from the more traditional white chocolate cranberry cookies that are more prevalent this time of year.
They would also be perfect to share with friends who don’t like their super sweet desserts. While these cookies have white chocolate, brown sugar, and even a little bit of white sugar, the sweetness is subtle and more vanilla, and is offset by the tart cherries and the flaky sea salt.
I thought about adding rice crispies to these cookies, or walnuts, or soaking the cherries first in booze – but decided to go the simpler route and let the three main ingredients shine.
I didn’t go wrong, because these cookies were incredible. One Bowl Soft and Chewy White Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Sea Salt. Love-worthy.
White Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Sea Salt
Ingredients
3/4 cups butter (1 1/2 sticks)
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 medium eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and sugars. Mash out any lumps with the back of a wooden spoon then whisk together using a fork or a wire whisk until well-blended and creamy.
- Add eggs, vanilla extract, salt, and baking soda, and mix until smooth. Stir in the flour until evenly incorporated (do not overmix). Fold in dried cherries and white chocolate chips.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours, up to two days.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Using a standard cookie scoop (or a heaping 1 tablespoon of dough), portion out dough on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle coarse sea salt on each cookie before baking. Bake in the middle rack one sheet at a time, for 10-12 minutes, or until beginning to lightly brown.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. You can also sprinkle additional sea salt.
Do you have a favorite holiday cookie?
wow, this combo!! like nothing i’ve ever had. i don’t think i’ve even had white choc with sea salt. nice job woman!
Bianca Garcia replied October 10th, 2013 at 10:01 am
Thank you! I’m already looking forward to making another batch of these cookies hehe
Can you bring some of those tonight? ;-)
My favorite holiday cookie right now is a dark chocolate, pistachio and cherry cookie. They’ve been a hit at every holiday party I attend!
Bianca Garcia replied October 10th, 2013 at 10:24 am
Haha they’re all long gone. Dark chocolate, pistachio, and cherry sound incredible, too! I will try that combo soon :)
I always enjoy dried cherries in cookies and I LOVE the sea salt on top!
I adore sea salt on everything, but especially desserts! These cookies look great. My aunt used to make giant [green and red] M&M and chocolate chip cookies for the holidays. They were my favorite!
Making cookies with your favorite ingredients sounds like a good thing to do ;) These sound delicious! Love the salt on top!!
Those cookies look spectacular, thanks for sharing!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
You had me hooked at one bowl cookies! I too enjoy all the components that this cookie has to offer =)
Sounds divine Bianx! Reminded me of the yummy cookies you gave away for Christmas last year! Hope you can make some when you come in December! :)
I haven’t baked holiday cookies in forever (shame on me, I know), but I used to make white chocolate dipped gingerbread cookies as a kid. This reminds me of how much I love white chocolate in cookies!
these photos are absolutely gorgeous!
I love all three too! These cookies sound wonderful, can’t wait to give them a go!
These look so good!! Love the sea salt on top!
i don’t mind when i get punched by dried cherries–it hurts so good. :) this is a great batch of cookies!
Beautiful pics!! And I LOVE see salt on top of chocolate chip cookies!!
I’ve had this post bookmarked for a while because I know they’d be PERFECT for the holidays and my dad would especially love them. I’ve done the cranberry/white chocolate thing but never cherry with sea salt. Brilliant!