Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Cherries and Toffee

I saw a recipe for these cookies on Martha Stewart’s website; I love dried cherries so ‘had’ to try them. Her original recipe also calls for mini chocolate chips -- they were good cookies but I thought that the chocolate competed with the cherry and toffee flavors so I made the recipe again, leaving the chocolate out and adding more cherries. I think I have a new favorite cookie, at least for now!

Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Cherries and Toffee (adapted from Martha Stewart)

2 sticks butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1-1/2 cups quick oats
2 cups dried cherries, chopped
1 cup toffee bits (such as Heath bits from the baking aisle at the grocery)

Cream butter and sugars until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually stir in flour and baking soda, then mix in oats, dried cherries, and toffee bits (these may need to be kneaded in by hand). Divide dough into three portions; shape into disks or logs and refrigerate until firm.

Shape dough into grape-sized balls; bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes. Cool on baking sheet about 2 minutes to allow hot toffee to set; remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 200 small (1-1/2”) cookies.