Chocolate Chip Cookies with Cherries and Pecans

Each bite of these soft chocolate chip cookies provides a welcome explosion of flavor--sweet cherries, rich chocolate chips, nutty pecans, and a touch of savory sea salt.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 283 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup shortening
• 1 large egg
• 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup dried cherries
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon molasses
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 pinch Coarse sea salt
• ¾ cup dark chocolate chips

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

Step 2

Combine brown sugar, white sugar, butter, and shortening in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in egg, vanilla extract, and molasses on low speed. Gradually add flour mixture and blend until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips, cherries, and pecans with a wooden spoon. Cover and place in the refrigerator until well chilled, at least 2 hours.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 4

Roll dough into scant 1/4-cup-sized balls and place 2 inches apart onto baking sheets.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown on the edges and slightly underdone in the middles, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sea salt. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, so cookies can continue to cook, before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.