The craving has hit. Just looking at the pictures. And I haven’t even made it past the third sentence yet. Ohhh, I’m in trouble. Let me step away from the computer just long enough to get a grip on myself…
*sigh*
Okay, I’m back and ready to keep typing now. (Still really (REALLY) wanting some of these cookies though.)
These White Chocolate Cherry Macadamia Cookies have been a hit wherever and to whomever I’ve taken them. Make a batch of these for your sweetheart as the perfect Valentine’s Day treat. You know what they say about the way to a man’s heart. So whether you want to win him or keep him, these little jewels will do the trick :) Buttery, chewy, delightful. Prepare to fall in love…
These are also the perfect cookies to make for the Holidays. You can use either dried cherries or cranberries.
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped macadamia nuts
- 1 cup dried cherries
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a cookie sheet.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugars. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars until fluffy and pale in color, 3-5 minutes. This step is important for ensuring soft, chewy cookies. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Using a wooden spoon, carefully stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture, just until combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips, dried cherries and macadamia nuts.
- Drop heaping spoonfuls of the batter onto the greased cookie sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until they just begin to turn golden around the edges. Allow the cookies to cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- *Note: It isn't necessary for this recipe (I personally prefer the cherries to be chewy), but you can optionally place the dried cherries in a bowl and cover them with boiling water to soften them. Let them soak for 7-8 then thoroughly drain them. If you choose to soak them, use only ½-3/4 cup dried cherries as they will expand.
Thanks to my friend, Candy, for inspiring me with the idea to add the final crowning touch…macadamia nuts!
Brittny says
I just tried this recipe,but I didn’t have any macadamia nuts so I used cashews… This is a favorite cookie in the house now and I’ve made 6 dozen in a week!! Great recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s so awesome, Brittny, thank you!
Kelly says
Did you use sweetened cherries, which is all I can seem to find, or tart dried cherries?
Thanks!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Kelly, I’ve used both and either work well, but yes, most commonly it’s sweetened cherries that are available.
Redhead says
I used to make these cookies every year for Christmas (along with about 11 others) about 10 years ago or so. I was overjoyed to find them again, on this site. I used dry roasted macadamia nuts in mine.
They turned out just like I remember. What a delicious recipe! :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you so much, Redhead, I’m happy you enjoyed them!
Warren Ashwill says
Could this dough be frozen?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Warren, yes it can.
Anna says
I found this recipe by googling white chocolate cherry cookies and this looked the best. First off I might say that I wasn’t sure if I should used unsalted or salted butter and I took a chance with unsalted and it worked perfectly. I also opted for unsalted butter because I used salted macadamia nuts. I only had about 3/4 cup dried cherrries, 1/2 cup white choc chips and 1/2 cup chopped mac nuts. I measured then sifted all the dry ingredients into the mix, adding slowly mixing by hand. Rolled into roughly tablespoon size balls and barely flattened as I read in another comment. But I’m not sure they needed to be flattened. They turned out excellent. Crispy outside and chewy inside. What a wonderful recipe. A keeper for sure. Thank you kindly.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Anna, I’m so glad you enjoyed them, thank you!
Patti Macken says
My favorite cookie recipe, I make them for all my church functions, and they all love them. I do flatten the balls just a bit to get a flatter cookie. Thank you for sharing them!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s wonderful, Patti, thanks so much!