I have recently really come to enjoy cherries in foods. I have always enjoyed them fresh. Having a cherry in a chocolate candy is not something I like. I haven't made cookies with dried cherries in them before, I really like these. They have an interesting combination, but they really tasted good!
2 C. whole wheat flour
1 C. spelt flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp kosher salt
2 T. cocoa
1/2 C. unsalted butter, softened
1/2 C. Coconut oil or butter
2/3 C. Sucanat or brown sugar
1/3 C. Xagavae or 2/3 C. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 C. Old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 C. natural peanut butter
1/2 C. almonds (ground finely in food chopper)
1 C. dark chocolate chips
1 C. dried cherries (Unsweetened I found them in bulk at the health food store.)
Bake at 350 Degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease.
combine first 5 ingredients together. Set aside. In large bowl beat sugars with butter, coconut oil beat 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, vanilla and peanut butter. Add oats and almonds. Beat on low till combined. Beat in flour mixture. Stir in chips and cherries. (next time I am going to cut the cherries into smaller pieces.) Scoop dough on to cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 min. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheet before taking them off. Hope you enjoy them.
Some great reasons to choose cherries; I found this information on http://www.choosecherries.com/health/main.aspx
Cherries are not only good for you, but they’re also on trend as a homegrown “Super Fruit.” According to recent data, more than 9 out of 10 Americans want to know where their food comes from, nearly 80 percent say they’re purchasing “locally produced” products, and the majority is defining “local” as grown in America.1,2 And cherries deliver.
A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as either dried, frozen cherries or cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries) vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.
Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits – from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body’s natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process.
A recent study from the University of Michigan reveals new evidence linking cherries to heart health benefits. The study found that a cherry-enriched diet lowered total weight, body fat (especially the important “belly” fat), inflammation and cholesterol-all risk factors associated with heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, being overweight or obese, in particular when the weight is concentrated in the middle, is a major risk factor for heart disease. As nearly two out of three Americans are overweight, emerging studies like this are important in examining the role diet may play in disease management and prevention.
Click on Cardiovascular/Heart Health for more information on the role cherries may play in reducing inflammation and risk factors associated with heart disease.
While there’s no established guideline yet on how many cherries it takes to reap the benefits, experts suggest that 1-2 servings of cherries daily can help provide some of the health benefits identified in the research. Single serving size examples include:
• 1/2 cup dried
• 1 cup frozen
• 1 cup juice
• 1 ounce (or 2 Tbsp) juice concentrate
For additional information on serving sizes and tips to meet daily requirements for fruits and vegetables.
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