White Chocolate Cherry Cookies

 White Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Whenever I can take short cuts, believe me, I do. I am always trying faster ways to make a recipe and I put each one through my taste test.  If it passes the “taste like homemade test” then that’s the way I will make it going forward.  That’s just what I did with this incredible delicious cookie.  First I made my “from scratch” cookies. Then I did a batch using a cookie mix.  You could NOT tell the difference!  I have given you both recipes so you can see for yourself!  These cookies are delicious either way you make them.  Soft and chewy with rich melted white chocolate and just a hint of cherry!  YUM!

White Chocolate Cherry Cookies

½ cup butter, softened

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup white sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon corn starch

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup white chocolate chips

1 cup dried cherries or cranberries, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and both sugars. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars until fluffy and pale in color, 3-5 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. 

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt. Using a wooden spoon, carefully stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture, just until combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips and dried cherries.

Drop heaping spoonful’s of the batter onto the lined cookie sheet. You can also scoop the dough in your hand and roll into balls before baking. That's what I did with these cookies.

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until they just begin to turn golden around the edges.  

Allow the cookies to cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Drop a few extra chocolate chips on top if desired.

SHORT CUT

1 pouch (17.5 oz) Betty Crocker Cookie Mix Sugar

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened

1 egg 

½ cup dried cherries, chopped (or use cranberries)

1 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Blend the cookie mix, butter, cornstarch, and egg to form dough. Gently stir in the cranberries and white chocolate chips.  

Scoop the dough by spoonful’s onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.  You can also scoop the dough in your hand and roll into balls before baking. That's what I did with these cookies.

Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the cookie edges become golden.  Drop a few extra chocolate chips on top if desired.