Chocolate Cherry Chunk Cookie Bars

During the summer, cherries are abundant! But, I have a hard time finishing the bunch I buy before some of them get wrinkly. So a few weeks ago - I thought about tossing some with dark chocolate, which lead to a cookie idea... mmmmmm!

 

I started with the Original Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. I substituted for chopped dark chocolate chunks and chopped fresh cherries. Most cherry recipes I searched for included dried or candied cherries, but I wanted to give the fresh ones a try. Fresh is always better, right? YES!

By no means are these healthy, they were full of ooey gooey buttery goodness but MAN they were gooooooooooooooooooooood!

   Gathering the yummies for the cookie bars

    

Blend the butter, sugars and vanilla.

 Once smooth, add in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chunks and cherries. 

Now choose if you want cookie bars or cookies. 

I wanted bars, so I spread the dough out flat on a cookie sheet.

Bake until brown on edges. I could have taken a fork to this and just gone to town. 

Instead, I sliced into bars and brought them to work the next day! A treat for students & coworkers!

Recipe for these bad boys..

Chocolate Cherry Chunk Cookie Bars

2 1/4 c flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 c shortening or butter

3/4 c sugar

3/4 c packed brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

12 oz chocolate chunks/chips

1-2 cups chopped, fresh cherries

Preheat oven 375 degrees. 

1. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda & salt. Set aside.

2. In large bowl, combine shortening/butter, sugar, brown sugar & vanilla. Beat until creamy. 

3. Beat in eggs. 

4. Gradually add flour mixture, beating between additions. 

5. Stir in chocolate & cherries. 

6. Drop spoonfuls or spread onto parchment/ungreased baking sheet.

7. Bake 8-10 minutes for individual cookies, 20 minutes for pan cookie bars

8. Cool and enjoy!