Dark Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

Sweet Treats

Happy (early) Father's Day to the most incredible dad in the universe...

To properly show my appreciation for everything this amazing man has done for me, I did what I do best...BAKE! My dad is obsessed with dark chocolate. Yes, he is a member of the chocolate of the month club. Now that you all know how to get on my dad's good side, here is a recipe I know he will love...

Dark Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies (picture)

Sorry for ruining the surprise, Dad, but there is a batch of these delicious (and healthy) cookies in the mail as we speak!

Ingredients:

*recipe from Cooking Light magazine

**makes about 25 cookies at 100 calories/cookie!

• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 & 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 Tbs unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (I used a Ghirardelli 70% chocolate bar)

Recipe:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Spoon flours into measuring cups, level with a knife, and combine the flours. Add the oats, baking soda, and salt. Stir with a whisk:

3. Melt the butter in small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and add the brown sugar. Stir until smooth then add the sugar mixture into the flour mixture:

4. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended:

5. Add the cherries, vanilla, and egg. Beat until combined:

6. Fold in the chocolate. Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet:

7. Bake at 350F for 11-12 minutes. Cool the cookies on the pan for a few minutes until almost firm. Move the cookies onto wire racks and let cool. Serve with some milk and enjoy!

All wrapped up and ready to send to Dad!

Recipe to print:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Spoon flours into measuring cups, level with a knife, and combine the flours. Add the oats, baking soda, and salt. Stir with a whisk.
3. Melt the butter in small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and add the brown sugar. Stir until smooth.
4. Add the sugar mixture to the flour mixture. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended.
5. Add the cherries, vanilla, and egg. Beat until combined.
6. Fold in the chocolate. Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto a greased baking sheet.
7. Bake at 350F for 11-12 minutes. Cool the cookies on the pan for a few minutes until almost firm. Move the cookies onto wire racks and let cool. Serve with some milk and enjoy!