Rebecca Nielsen's Recipe

Double Chocolate Caramel Cookies w/Dried Cherries

Category: cookies

Makes: 38 cookies
Difficulty Level: 2
Prep time: 15 minutes

READ THIS FIRST!
These cookies are Dunkers. I love a cookie that holds up to being dunked. These are it. They are at their best when dunked in Hot cooffee, tea, etc. The caramel bits soften and they don't fall apart.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:
1 1/4 c flour
1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/2 c unsalted butter, very soft (not melted)
1/3 c + 2 T granulated sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 extra large egg
1 t good vanilla extract
1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c juicy dried cherries, rough chopped
1/2 c Kraft Caramel Bits (or 1/2 c individually wrapped caramels cut into 6 pieces).

Directions:
Cream butter and both sugars. Add egg and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Mix till combined.

Stir in choc. chips, cherries and Caramel Bits. Combine very well so all are distributed well within the batter.

If possible use a 1oz scooper to drop batter on to parchment lined cookie sheet. I get exactly 20 cookies to a sheet and they are the perfect size.

Bake for 14 minutes on middle rack of oven turning once after 7 minutes. Do not over bake or caramel will turn into brittle.Cool in pan for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack. Store in airtight container or resealable bag.

This recipe is great for the smaller family or when you don't need a ton of cookies. I always have cookies around even though it's just my husband and myself. Making smaller batches like this one gives me the chance to make different ones more often and that makes me a happy girl. Enjoy!