Dessert

White Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

Cookies filled with white chocolate cherry and soft baked These are one of the best cookies I have ever tasted and easy to make!

To recipe
white chocolate cherry cookies on a board
Recipe insights & TIPS

Easy and delicious soft and chewy oatmeal cookies packed with white chocolate chips and dried cherries. These White Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies are a perfect snack anytime you crave a sweet treat.

white chocolate cherry cookies on a board

I don’t know about you but white chocolate is one of my favorites, and these cookies don’t last long at my house. They’re chewy, buttery and have just the right balance of tangy dried cherries to sweet white chocolate chips.

The recipe is pretty straightforward and easy to make, so you can bake them up anytime. You can swap out the dried cherries for dried cranberries if that’s what’s in your pantry.

Whether warm from the oven or straight from the cookie jar, the whole family will love these white chocolate cherry cookies! Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set aside.

The next step involves creaming the butter and both sugars together. I like to use my stand up mixer for this task, but a hand beater or a big mixing spoon work fine too.

delicious white chocolate cherry cookies

What type of butter to use?

I use unsalted butter for this recipe. I can control how salty to make the dough by adding in just the right amount of salt. This recipe calls for room temperature butter.

I find that leaving it out for an hour is enough for softening. If you forget to leave it out or simply want to make cookies on the spot, you can microwave the butter with paper on in 5 second intervals.

Give the stick a ¼ turn and microwave for another 5 seconds until it softens. You usually won’t need more than 20 seconds.

Make sure you get a nice and creamy consistency when beating the butter and sugar. The sugar aerates the butter and creates air pockets, giving you that perfect cookie texture.

Beat in the egg and vanilla, scraping down the sides of the bowl at least once. Add the dry ingredient mixture and mix until just combined. Stir in the oats, dried cherries, and white chocolate. If needed, you can store the cookie dough in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.

Drop the batter by using a tablespoon or cookie scoop onto a cookie sheet. I use a silicone baking mat on the baking sheet. I’ve noticed the cookies spread more evenly when I use the mat and it makes for pretty easy clean-up.

You can line the baking sheet with parchment and it works well too. Bake for about 15-18 minutes, and let cool on a wire rack. The white chocolate cherry cookies will last for up to a week in an airtight container or cookie jar.

white chocolate cherry cookies

Add ins.

If you want to load up your cookies with extras, shredded unsweetened coconut pairs well with white chocolate and dried cherries. You can add in chopped nuts for crunch. I like macadamia nuts with this combo.

Chopped pecans would also work well too. If you like a salty sweet combo, sprinkle a few Maldon sea salt flakes on top of each cookie before baking. 

To freeze cookie dough.

It’s always a good idea to have a stash of cookie dough in the freezer ready at moment’s notice. You can double or triple this recipe and freeze extra dough for when those sweets cravings hit.

Use a cookie scoop or roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a cookie sheet. After they’re frozen, put the cookie dough balls into a ziploc bag and store in the freezer.

I like to label the ziploc bag with the type of cookie and details like the baking temperature, baking time and date made. Store the dough balls in the freezer for up to six months. 

When baking the dough from frozen, keep them in the oven a few minutes longer than the recipe calls for, just remember to keep an eye on them. 

Baking Tips

  • To measure the flour for baking, use a spoon to scoop flour into the measuring cup instead of dipping the cup straight into the flour. Level it off with the flat edge of a knife.
  • I use old-fashioned rolled oats in this recipe. You won’t get the same chewy texture with quick cooking oats. 
  • You can bake the dough without chilling, but chilling it for at least 30 minutes in the fridge gives you less cookie spread.
  • A silicone baking mat also prevents too much cookie spread when baking.
  • Use room temperature baking sheets. Never put dough on a hot baking sheet—just another way to prevent cookie spread.
  • Bake one batch at a time for even baking. 
  • Always use high quality ingredients. Pure vanilla extract is so much better than the artificial kind, and that goes for the other baking ingredients like white chocolate chips too.  
white chocolate cherry cookie dough

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Recipe

These White Chocolate Cherry Scones bake up tall and fluffy and are a delicious surprise for a Valentine’s Day breakfast. Serve with butter or clotted cream

Course:
Dessert
COOKing TIME:
15 minutes
Total TIME:
20 minutes
CUISINE:
American
PREP TIME:
5 minutes
SERVINGS:
6

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/4 cup sugar plus extra for sprinkling on top
  • 1 3/4 cup white chocolate chips divided
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 5 oz dried cherries
  • 2 tbsp butter melted

Ingredient Swaps

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and sugar.
  3. Add 1 cup of the chocolate chips and stir.
  4. Add the heavy cream and cherries and gently stir with a fork or your hand until the dough comes together.
  5. Dump the dough onto a floured work surface and knead into a smooth ball shape.
  6. Using a rolling pin roll the dough into a circle about 1/2 inch thick.
  7. With a three inch heart shaped cutter, cut out the scones and place onto the prepared sheet pan.
  8. Gather up the remaining dough and repeat the process until all of the dough has been used.
  9. Brush each scone with melted butter and sprinkle the surface with the remaining sugar.
  10. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
  11. Let cool before drizzling with melted white chocolate.

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