Welcome to week two of the tart cherry cook and bake-off sponsored by the Ontario
Tender Fruit Producers. You, our members, are in the judge's seat as you
decide who has done the best job with this recipes featuring
tart cherry products. Read
both Gav's and Carol's recipe reviews and compare the pictures of their
final product! Let us know who did it best by commenting below and
you'll earn a second ballot for a Kitchen Aid® Stand Mixer courtesy of the
Ontario Tender Fruit Producers!
This week's recipe is oatmeal cherry cookies.
Oatmeal Cherry Cookies
Adapted from choosecherries.com
Makes: 4 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups quick cooking oats, uncooked
1 1/2 cups dried tart cherries
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put margarine, brown sugar and granulated sugar ina large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; if desired; add to egg mixture. Stir in oats, cherries and chocolate chips; mix well.
4. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in oven 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Store in a tightly covered container.
Carol:
While I may do a LOT of cooking, it is definitely not a passion of mine. My true heart lies in baking. I could literally bake and bake all day long...and have. I love making cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, and, of course, squares. I understand that squares are actually more popular in Canada than they are in US. What can be more Canadian than a Nainamo square, eh? And more delicious? Yum!
When I was asked to bake with Tart Cherries I leapt at the chance. How lucky am I to be working on a project that doesn't feel like work at all. You want to know the best part about my assignment...I get to eat the final product.
For our second Tart Cherry recipe were asked to bake oatmeal cherry cookies. Finally! I feel like I'm on a level playing field with Chef Dad. You may remember how nervous I was after learning that I was competing against Chef Dad. Well, we had a conversation a few weeks back in which he revealed how much he hates baking. I stored this comment in my memory and I am relishing in it now. But before I start celebrating my imminent triumph I wonder if Chef Dad is really a bad baker, or rather does he simply hate baking? After reading Gav's posts: Carb Your Enthusiasm, I'm thinking the latter. In this fantastic post Gav bakes the most mouthwateringly delicious meat-stuffed breads...not a good baker indeed! Again, only time will tell, and only YOU will judge who ultimately did a better job.
Let me start off my saying the oatmeal cherry cookies were simple to make. It's really a very straightforward recipe that starts by creaming together the butter and sugars then incorporating the eggs and dry ingredients. The twist on this oatmeal cookie is the paring of Tart Cherries and semi-sweet chocolate, a match that I can attest to being one made in heaven. The cherries provide a tart contrast to the sweetness of the cookie dough and chocolate. The cookies have a fantastic texture; both soft and chewy and further enhanced by the cherries themselves. Try replacing the semi sweet chocolate with white chocolate and you will make a fantastic holiday cookie. The red of the cherries will stand out!
The lowdown: My husband loved these cookies! Do I sound surprised? Actually, I am! My husband is not a cookie lover. How ironic, I love to bake and married a man that doesn't love baking. So what was it about these cookies that he enjoyed? He explained that they are unique and interesting, not the same ho hum chocolate chip cookies. And what did my children think? The girls gave it two thumbs up. In fact, they actually helped me prepare the cookies. It is definitely a kid-friendly recipe. So, invite your kids into the kitchen and have them help you prepare a batch of these great cookies, they are fun to bake and fun to eat. Enjoy!
Gav:
Oatmeal cookies are one of my favourite snacks. So, any recipe that looks to improve on this classic is a-OK with me. I originally had a bit of concern when I heard that this recipe used cherries in place of the traditional raisins, but I think that's because I had this preconceived notion that dried cherries were all uber-sweet maraschino cherries.
When I got my hands on some dried tart cherries, I was so pleasantly surprised. The cherries have a beautiful tartness to them that is addictively good. I find myself snacking on them right out of the jar.
I changed this recipe up a little bit and opted for some white chocolate chips instead of the suggested semi-sweet chocolate. Aside from the great contrast in colour, the cherries played so well off of the sweetness of the white chocolate.
I also really liked how the cherries really caught everyone's attention when they bit into them. The festive looking cookies are really a unique and delicious take on a classic.
This week's recipe is oatmeal cherry cookies.
Oatmeal Cherry Cookies
Adapted from choosecherries.com
Makes: 4 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups quick cooking oats, uncooked
1 1/2 cups dried tart cherries
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put margarine, brown sugar and granulated sugar ina large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; if desired; add to egg mixture. Stir in oats, cherries and chocolate chips; mix well.
4. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in oven 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Store in a tightly covered container.
Carol:
While I may do a LOT of cooking, it is definitely not a passion of mine. My true heart lies in baking. I could literally bake and bake all day long...and have. I love making cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, and, of course, squares. I understand that squares are actually more popular in Canada than they are in US. What can be more Canadian than a Nainamo square, eh? And more delicious? Yum!
When I was asked to bake with Tart Cherries I leapt at the chance. How lucky am I to be working on a project that doesn't feel like work at all. You want to know the best part about my assignment...I get to eat the final product.
For our second Tart Cherry recipe were asked to bake oatmeal cherry cookies. Finally! I feel like I'm on a level playing field with Chef Dad. You may remember how nervous I was after learning that I was competing against Chef Dad. Well, we had a conversation a few weeks back in which he revealed how much he hates baking. I stored this comment in my memory and I am relishing in it now. But before I start celebrating my imminent triumph I wonder if Chef Dad is really a bad baker, or rather does he simply hate baking? After reading Gav's posts: Carb Your Enthusiasm, I'm thinking the latter. In this fantastic post Gav bakes the most mouthwateringly delicious meat-stuffed breads...not a good baker indeed! Again, only time will tell, and only YOU will judge who ultimately did a better job.
Let me start off my saying the oatmeal cherry cookies were simple to make. It's really a very straightforward recipe that starts by creaming together the butter and sugars then incorporating the eggs and dry ingredients. The twist on this oatmeal cookie is the paring of Tart Cherries and semi-sweet chocolate, a match that I can attest to being one made in heaven. The cherries provide a tart contrast to the sweetness of the cookie dough and chocolate. The cookies have a fantastic texture; both soft and chewy and further enhanced by the cherries themselves. Try replacing the semi sweet chocolate with white chocolate and you will make a fantastic holiday cookie. The red of the cherries will stand out!
The lowdown: My husband loved these cookies! Do I sound surprised? Actually, I am! My husband is not a cookie lover. How ironic, I love to bake and married a man that doesn't love baking. So what was it about these cookies that he enjoyed? He explained that they are unique and interesting, not the same ho hum chocolate chip cookies. And what did my children think? The girls gave it two thumbs up. In fact, they actually helped me prepare the cookies. It is definitely a kid-friendly recipe. So, invite your kids into the kitchen and have them help you prepare a batch of these great cookies, they are fun to bake and fun to eat. Enjoy!
Gav:
Oatmeal cookies are one of my favourite snacks. So, any recipe that looks to improve on this classic is a-OK with me. I originally had a bit of concern when I heard that this recipe used cherries in place of the traditional raisins, but I think that's because I had this preconceived notion that dried cherries were all uber-sweet maraschino cherries.
When I got my hands on some dried tart cherries, I was so pleasantly surprised. The cherries have a beautiful tartness to them that is addictively good. I find myself snacking on them right out of the jar.
I changed this recipe up a little bit and opted for some white chocolate chips instead of the suggested semi-sweet chocolate. Aside from the great contrast in colour, the cherries played so well off of the sweetness of the white chocolate.
I also really liked how the cherries really caught everyone's attention when they bit into them. The festive looking cookies are really a unique and delicious take on a classic.
Ok judges...it's time to cast your vote. Which oatmeal cherry cookie are you craving? Let us know who did it best - was it underdog
UrbanMoms staffer Carol, or Chef Dad...you decide. Simply comment
below for your second chance to win a KitchenAid Artisan® Series 5 qt Stand Mixer
courtesy of the Ontario Tender Fruit Producers.
Click here for contest Rules and Regulations.
Click here for contest Rules and Regulations.
This looks like a fantastic recipe and as a devoted cherry fan I would like to try it! I do have a question though - where do you find real dried tart cherries? I have been looking around but haven't found a store that carries them. I'm in Toronto.
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for your question!
Dried tart cherries can be found in health food stores, some Bulk Barns and select grocery stores.
If you don’t see them in your grocery store, please ask for them. Also, you can go to a grower like Cherry Lane cherrylane.net and they will ship to you directly.
Thanks!
Gav did it the best, the cookies look very tasty.
As a fan of the semi-sweet over the white chocolate, I'd have to go with Carol's recipe on this one. They both DO look yummy, though!
They both sound good, but I think that Chef Dads cookies look super yummy.
I'm going to try dried cranberries in a batch as well! :)
I really liked the idea and recipe with the dried tart cherries and white chocolate. This combination has me very interested and very eager to try the recipe myself. I will definately be buying dried tart cherries and make this delicious idea! (Probably tomorrow :-)) Yum yum!
I am itchin to get to the kitchen and whip up a batch. Gav, you're the man!
kell
I think Gav did it best! His look soooo delicious! I would love to try this recipe! Great combination of cherries and white chocolate!!
I think Gav's was the best, chocolate and cherries are a wonderful combination!
While I like the look of Gav's best, and I know the combo of white chocolate and cherries is a wonderful combination, I find white chocolate too sweet and would have to go with Carol's semi-sweet chocolate recipe.
Yummy!
I prefer the look of Carol's cookies better and I am not a fan of white chocolate so Carol wins hands down this week -- now I am looking forward to making some -- and I actually have some cherries in my cupboard right now
I think that Carol had a wonderful cookie .White chocolate just does not do it for me .
I think Carol did it best- mainly because I love semi-sweet chocolate & am not really a fan of white chocolate. But both cookies look delicious & I wish I had a few samples of each Right Now -so I could give a much better comment,lol.
My vote goes to Gav. His cookies looked mouthwatering. I'd love to eat a bunch of them with a tall glass of cold milk. Yum!!!
Hey! I just love choc chip cookies... so hard to pass up. They both look yummy but in this case my vote goes to Chef Gav .. like the idea of adding cranberries! Congrats.
I vote for Chef Dad
I vote for Gav. I love the use of white chocolate. They looks so yummy
Sorry Gav Carols cookies look delicious.
The oatmeal cookies are my choice. I love baking but always try to use ingredients that are healthy.This cherry addition is very nice
I vote for Carol.
My vote is for Carol this time, thanks.
My vote is for Carol, I think they will taste great. Carol's recipe review was well done. Thank you
Gav looks tastier. The ingredients sound delicious together. I would eat them all.
I'm with Gav on this one - I love the swap with the white chocolate chips - I use them whenever I can. The end result just looks yummier!
I'm going with Carol's recipe, I prefer dark chocolate to white chocolate. Funny tho, the recipe says white chocolate.
Chef Dad all the way!
oatmeal is always a good cookie
I like Carols the best..those look soo yummy!! I would love to have one right now! :) Im not too fond of white chocoalte..
I like the look of Gav's the best as they are very festive.Although i happen to not be a fan of white chocolate, so i would definitely go for Carol's chocolate version. I don't think either way you could go wrong as they are both yummy! Will be baking up these cookies really soon!
I have to say that I really love the look of Carol's - I love the chunky cookie look of hers. Gav's, to me, look more like a drop cookie. When I bake, I make cookies that look like Carol's version as that is what my kids like and the type I love. I do love the fact that Gav used white chocolate because when I make cookies just for me, I use both white and semi-sweet. I will definitely have to try this recipe - yummy!! Kudos to both cooks - great job! But my vote goes to Carol - congrats on making my mouth water again! :)
Sounds like they will be very tasty. I am planning on making them for Christmas .
Although I liked Carol's cookies because they are smaller and has more cherries per area, the colouring on Gav's cookies looks delicious and I am a huge fan of white chocolate. So it looks like I'll have to go with Gav this time!
Carol's cookies are a real winner with the cherry-white chocolate combo. It looks like the ones sold at my favourite bakery. The picture is visually pleasing because it does not have that heavy oatmeal look of some versions.
OMG Gav's cookies look amazing!!!!
Now this is a tough call. I love the use of white chocolate in Gav's cookies, but as a devoted baker I know all too well the visual difference between crispier cookies and chewier cookies. As a confirmed chewy cookie addict, I'm going to have to go for Carol's cookies this week; they look perfectly baked, moist, chewy and delicious!
This recipe sound so delicious, I'm going to try it out on the weekend. I have to say they both look great, but Carol's are more appealing to me with using the semi-sweet chips.
I am not a wild cherry fan but looking at this recipe and seeing the picture, I definitely want to try it. I like the combination of ingredients. Tasty!
I love white chocolate, so I'll have to vote for Gav.
My vote goes to Carol. I am not a fan of white chocolate so prefer the chocolate/cherry combo.
My vote is with Carol's cookies. I like that they are flat rather than dollops, so much better for staking and white chocolate is too sweet for me. Wish there was a scratch & sniff option on these goodies!
My vote is with Carol, seeing the picture today, think I will make them soon!
I vote for Carol's recipe. I prefer semi-sweet chocolate and a flatter cookie.
I think that she should get a new camera though. 'Cause Gav is getting the votes merely on the colourfulness of his pictures.
Ps. I'm Canadian (^---notice how I spelled colour.) and we call them Nanaimo Bars not squares. No idea why though.
I , yet again, like Gav's better. I love the look of the cookies, they look chunky with the oats,delicious. His plate presentations are fantastic too.
It's pretty difficult to vote on apples against oranges or in this case chocolate versus white chocolate. The evolution of two different cookies. I would like them both! One point for Gav for creativity and one point for Carol for following directions. My question is how does Gav create the mound cookie while Carols look like the softer chewier version? Carol, your chewy chocolate cookies would be my kid's pick. But I would have to vote for Gav's tart cherry white chocolate fiber rich cookie. The texture wins. The white chocolate and cherry combo wins. The golden brown of the cookie wins. Thanks!
I would have to vote for Gav this time. The picture just looked so appealing, I wanted to pick up those cookies and eat them.
Gav all the way, very nice combination of chocolate and cherries.
Angellic37
I liked Gav's cookie creation not to say Carol's wasn't appealing. I love cherries (but have yet to try the dried tart cherries) & i love white chocolate too. I'm not a big fan of semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate. They both look great & think i'll give the recipe a try this weekend. I also have to agree with Cheryal's point that Gav is more of a mound & Carol's looks very chewy.
They both look yummy to eat. Hat's off to Both.
Thank you
Now this is a tough one... I love me some chocolate... but semi-sweet or white?? I love the look of Carols cookies... Gav;s look a little too healthy. But when it comes right down to it.... I'm going with Gav.. I LOVE white chocolate.
Carol's with the semisweet chocolate.
i vote for calrol's...semi-sweet chocolate chips...yummy!
Carol has got my vote this week!
vote for Gav, there look better
I would go more for Gav's cookies just because they look softer and chewier.
I would go with Gav's cookies purely based on how it looks.
My kids loved these cookies I had to make 2 batches ofthem. The second bunch I did up I did not have enough cherry's so I used a trail mix and the cookies were awsome. My youngest son has autism and I really have to watch what he eats most times I bake but the kids get tired of the same old stuff so I love trying new things for them. Even the mom asked if she could have the recipe for her daughter she is like me does not buy alot of junk bakes most of the time.
I would recomend this to anyone.
mom of 4
These cookies look soooo .... yummy!!! My vote will have to go to Gav based on the white chocolate and cherry combo. Also, the pic looked very appetizing.
I'm voting for Gav's cookies, they look really good...and as soon as i saw the white chocolate chips, i was in! =)
I vote for Carol's- looks SOOO yummy!
Well not a cherry fan, but one of cranberries, only choc is white, so ideally I would make my own with ingredients from both. However, I must choose on and will vote for Carol's
My vote is for Carol. My reason being the use of sem-sweet as well....simply not a white chocolate fan, SORRY Gav...just too sweet for me ;)
I have to agree with Nicolthepickle when she says that you should use a different camera Carol. I would have voted Gav purely on the picture if there wasn't the epic chocolate difference, lol!
My vote this time have to be for carol ..your cookies looks so yummy !! wish i had one right now with glass of milk ..two thumbs up Carol ..way go !! Keep up the wonderful job
I'm not a white chocolate fan for the most part, so my vote goes to CAROL. Her cookies look SOOOOO good.
Definitely going with Carol's chocolate chip and dried cherry version. I do not find white chocolate works well with oatmeal but semi sweet chocolate and cherry - that is why Black Forest cakes are so well loved.
My vote is for Gav.
I prefer Gav's.
I'll have to vote for Carol. Her cookies look delicious!!
I like Gav's. They probably are amazing. I love any recipe with cherries. A secret my mom taught me when making any recipe with cherries (fresh, dried or canned cherries) is to add a 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of tart cherry juice concentrate, not cherry juice since it has been reconstituted, add a little of the cherry juice concentrate and it will make any cherry recipe very cherry. We had a several cherry trees in our backyard growing up but I now get the cherry juice from Traverse Bay Farms. The concentrated juice really makes any recipe "pop" with an underlying cherry flavor.
I love cookies, that is my weekness and if it has cherries and chocolate in it well that is it. so i choose Gav's recipe for this week. good luck to all, i really love this contest
I prefer Gav's recipe. The cookies look so yummy.
oatmeal cherry cookies sound the best
I think Gav's cookies look the best - but man, do I ever love an oatmeal cookie. Chocolate chips? Good. Cherries?! Goooood. I might have to get a minion to make these for me. (Shhhh... don't tell the others I have minions...*snort*)
I vote for Gav
i am with carol all the way. love the look of her cookies as well the receipe sounds delicious
I'm with Carol - real chocolate all the way! "white chocolate" isn't real chocolate & I'd much rather put the real thing in MY cookies!
Both cookies look amazing, but I vote for Carol - I love the chocolate.
I vote for Carol's cookies - they really showcase the tart cherries visually by contrasting them with white chocolate chips. I also like the fact that oatmeal is a main ingredient in the recipe which makes it healthier and provides a nice, chewy texture.
I love the dark chocolate in Carol's cookies. She gets my vote!
Carol's cookies all the way for my vote...chocolate is a food group ya know! LOL
I love the cherries, adds a great twist to an old favorite!
I almost went for Gav's, had I based my vote on the picture alone.
I'll go for Carol's cookies, just getting tired of that Oatmeal look while Carol's looks straight from a fancy bakery. :)
Carol's - Carol's - Carol's - you guessed it, I prefer the look of Carol's cookies. :)
Carol's appearance really meets my tastebuds more than half-way. It's like I'm drinking tea and smell her cookies waiting for that moment when I'll savour them.
Carol's all the way, i like the dark chocolate she used in her cookies.
My vote goes to Carol because I just loooooove dark chocolate. They also seem to have a crispier bottom in the pics which is my cookie weakness :)
Definitely Gav's! The oatmeal and the dried cherry combination is awesome and the addition of the white chocolate just makes it superb. Thanks for a great recipe!
Gav, yours possibly taste better but, Carol's look exquisite!
Would love to try them both, cuz, looks can be deceiving, lol Carol's are just more refined.
Carol, I am definitely voting for Carol. I guess, she has that style I really like.
Ooooh the white chocolate ones win for me...i love the combination!
Carol's sound yummy!
This one was really tough for me.....they both looked soooo delicious.Once again I have to pick Gav on this one .The White chocolate chips did it for me.
Love the way Gav's looks but I think Carol's would taste better.
Both are superdelicious - Carol just looks better :)
I am giving my to Carol for appearance!
Carol's look like they are store-bought and my kids for some reason go for the store-bought version - that perfect look.
I do like the looks of Gav's cookies and they look soooo yummy!!! I want some!
I'd personally go for Gav's version...somehow, the white chocolate chips seem like they'd be a better pairing with the tart cherries. (I'd eat either if they were in front of me now though...yum)
Carol's takes the cake, uh, I mean cookie!! LOL
yum! they both sound so good! initially i was thinking the white chocolate version would be the best, but the more i think about it, i'm finding the idea of chocolate chips intriguing, in fact, i would probably go for the special dark chocolate chips! (brownies with cherries on top anyone??) cant wait to try these recipes!
I think Gav cookies look better !
I'd have to go with Carol's recipe on this one. They both look good but love the chocolate
My vote is for Carol mostly because of the chocolate chips - don't like the white "chocolate".
I'm voting for Carol's (for appearances only) lol
Voting for Carol, yummy!
If I would be standing there and would have to pick a crispy looking cookie I would pick Carol's - to me, Gav's looks moist/soft. I could be so wrong!
Gav's cookies look soooooo much more tasty!! I'd have to vote this one!
carol...:)
Gav's is best, white chocolate and cherry is a perfect combination.