Cherry Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

A gray, blustery day in January needs a little something unexpected. Cookies are obligatory, and chocolate, of course. But how about some chewy, slightly tart dried cherries? And maybe a hit of orange zest to bring some brightness to a chilly, dark afternoon? Yes please!

Recipe

2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange extract
zest of an orange
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups flour
1/2 cup dried cherries
1 12 ounce bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat over to 375 degrees

1. In a bowl cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and stir until well incorporated. Add vanilla and orange extracts and the orange zest and stir until well combined.

2. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking soda. Add to the wet ingredients and mix until batter is smooth.

3. Add cherries and chocolate chips and stir well.

4. Drop in mounded spoonfuls on an ungreased baking sheet and bake in the center of the preheated oven for 10 minutes, until cookies are puffy and set and just beginning to turn a light, crispy brown.

5. Remove from the oven and let cool on a cooling rack.

Makes about 24 large cookies