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!
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Bethany Miltgen says
Nom Nom Nom… that is all you’ll hear after I make these. :D
The Daring Gourmet says
The same sounds are coming from this direction :)
Lindsay @ VeganYumminess says
Oh man….these look incredible! My aunt lives in Hawaii, and she just sent me some macadamia nuts from Mauna Loa. Mmmmm…. Okay. Must. Veganize. Now.
The Daring Gourmet says
Haha, awesome! I’ll definitely need to check out your vegan version when you’re done. And you are lucky to have that Hawaiian-dwelling aunt who supplies you with those delectable macadamia nuts!! Thanks for stopping by again, Lindsay.
The Vanilla Bean says
Ooooh. I used to dislike white chocolate until I had these cookies in London. Now I’m sold. Making these soon!
The Daring Gourmet says
They are very persuasive cookies, for sure ;)
Tori says
These look amazing! I’m making these for a party and can’t wait to try some :) Thanks for posting such great recipes!
The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Tori. Nice to “see” you again. I’m confident you and your friends are going to LOVE these!
Maria says
I made these ones yesterday….they are so so good!!!!…you are right the key is in mixing the butter with the sugars very well. Anyhow just want it to let you know that i made them and that they are addictive!!! :) Thanks for a great recipe!!! :)
The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, so glad you liked them! It’s true, beating that butter in sugar is really an important step. I use that method for most of the cookies I make. Thank you for your feedback!
Lisa says
Those sound absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing them on MMB.
The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Lisa! So glad you find my site through MMB! :)
Whitney says
These sound and look so delicious! My dad and husband are big cherry lovers! Following you from MMB!
The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Whitney, and welcome from MMB! These cookies are positively delightful. So glad we’ve connected! :)
laurasmess says
Found you via the link up at Carole’s Chatter (she found me, haha… it’s a chain). Lovely recipe! Your blog is beautiful, particularly the vibrant photos. Great work! x
The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you so much, Laura!! I’m so happy you found my site and hope you’ll return! Ditto on the lovely site – you have some great looking recipes over there, I look forward to going back to hang out ;)
laurasmess says
I’ll definitely return! Can’t wait to swap more recipes and stories as the year continues xx
Gretchen K. says
I made these cookies today, and while they are DEELISSHOOS they did spread too much. I bake a lot and try to do all my ingredients by weight, not volume. Volumes of flour are always tricky because the real amount of flour varies so greatly if you have/have not sifted the flour first. I took the King Arthur weight chart and converted the 1 1/2 cups Unbleached all-purpose flour into 6.4 ounces (181 grams). Sadly, this wasn’t enough flour, so maybe that weight chart isn’t the right tool for your recipe. The next time you make these cookies, could you please weigh the flour and let us know? I’d be curious what the weight actually is.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Gretchen! Yes, this recipe is for standard U.S. measurements, which is by volume. Measuring by weight is important for more finicky kinds of baking like gluten-free, but for standard recipes by volume generally works just fine. I actually just made a double batch of these last week. I don’t bake with white flour very often, so it will probably be a while before I make these again. When I do though, I’ll try to remember to weigh the ingredients for you.
Erin says
Hi!
I know its craziness, but I don’t actually have a working electric mixer right now. Any recommendations?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Erin, a whisk and wooden spoon like the good ol’ days will do just fine :)
Lairel Cummins says
Oh, MAN! These are good. First off I want to say that I have been searching for YEARS for that perfect, chewy cookie recipe. I’ve tried just about every recipe I could find and I’ve always been slightly disappointed. I had no idea the key was beating the butter and sugar for so long. Also, I made these for my boyfriend who doesn’t care for white chocolate (he likes milk chocolate, and milk chocolate only. No dark, no white) and they were still amazing with the milk chocolate. Thank you for this recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so thrilled to hear that, Lairel, thank you!! :)
Ann says
Can I use glacé cherries for this cookie recipe?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Ann, I haven’t tried that and am not sure what it will do to the overall texture of the cookies since glacé cherries have a higher liquid content than dried.
Reese says
Very good, especially if you use pecans instead of macadamia nuts.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Reese!
Resa says
Can you use fresh cherries?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Resa, I don’t recommend it – fresh cherries have a very high liquid content and you’ll end up with wet dough.
Amanda L Whitmore says
I don’t have any baking soda at the moment can I use baking powder?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Amanda, you can give it a try but baking soda is 3 times more powerful than baking powder so you’ll need to use triple the amount of baking powder and that may alter the taste.
Karen says
Yep.Snarf good.
I soak the dried cherries in cherry brandy first… you want to talk over the top?
Jc says
I made these twice once with success and once without. I’m not sure what I did wrong but one batch came out rock hard. Did I overcook them?
Karen in nj says
Just made these, & they are yummy. used dark brown sugar. soaked cherries for a minute then squeezed out liquid before adding. Next time will soak them in liquor! They didn’t spread out much. Used parchment paper, no grease. Thanks for this easy fast thrifty recipe.(only 1 egg. Only 1 stick of butter.)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, thanks so much, Karen!
Susan says
I didn’t have white chocolate used dark instead….didn’t add alot of white sugar.They came out great….
Gwrn says
Where did you find dried cherries that are so red and pretty? The only ones I can find are so dark that they look like raisins.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Gwrn, I think I got those particular ones from the bulk section at Winco.
Periwinkle Mood says
I have attempted to make these this recipe twice, today. Both batches, well… neither batch has turned out. I’ve never botched a batch in my life, and I did twice today. I had to use Craisins instead of dried cherries the second batch, as I didn’t want to go back to the store to buy more cherries in the event that the batch would not turn out. I was right. You indicate to make the dough into balls and place them on the cookie sheet. The balls are not falling. I threw the entire first batch away. This second batch has been in the oven for nearly 15 minutes and they’re just starting to fall, but they look dry.
Jan says
Can I use slivered almonds for the nut?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Jan, absolutely! You can use any nut you like.
Debbye says
I had added these to my Christmas Cookie list this year, of the 15 recipes I prepared, these were by far my favorite! So buttery and soft and chewy! I had to use pecans, couldn’t find macadamia nuts, but the cookie itself is a fabulous recipe- thanks
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Debbye, I’m thrilled to hear that, thank you!
Laurie Lyckholm says
Made a batch yesterday for my hubby’s birthday; followed your recipe to a “T” and they came out so perfect! My oven runs just a tad hot so I had to watch them like a hawk.I am going to hunt for the pretty red cherries, although he said he didn’t care what they looked like; they were delicious! ! I did sift the flour and they did spread nicely–I made them pretty small so got about 30 out of the recipe. I think I wouldn’t double the recipe as it would kill your arm, but just make them in succession!Thanks so much for this great recipe; I will be back for more–anything vegan/vegetarian!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Laurie, thank you! Lots of good vegetarian options here, just type “vegetarian” into the search box and there are also substitution recommendations for some of the meat recipes as well as vegan substitution recommendations. Thanks again and happy cooking!
Krisline Tomancok says
Didn’t have the macadamian nuts and used cut up cherries instead of dried ones, yet they still turned out delicious! Can’t wait to try this recipe again,but with ALL the ingredients.