Is that Martha Stewart in my Kitchen?

Yes, that is a picture of my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. It is making its yearly appearance in Mom on the Run’s kitchen. I know that is pretty sad, but baking is not really “my thing” as many of you know. My parents bought me the mixer for my birthday a few years ago and it does make a pretty decoration piece for my kitchen. What is the special occasion for pulling the mixer out of hibernation?

Here is the conversation that was had in my kitchen as the mixer was doing its thing and answer to the mystery.

Daijia (oldest daughter) “Are you sick?”

Me “No, why do you ask.”

Daijia “ Ummmm, you are baking. You never bake. I thought baking makes you angry. Wait, Are you having that cookie party thing again?”

Me “ You guessed it. It is your favorite party of the year and yes I am making your favorite peanut butter balls.”

So yes fellow blog friends Mom on the Run is baking for the 3rd Annual Cookie Exchange hosted at my house. I had always wanted to host a party like this and found a few friends who also shared my interest for for good food, company, and of course Christmas Cookies. Everyone brings 5 dozen cookies of their choice to the party and returns home with 5 dozen of all the different types of cookies. Can you go wrong?

This was last years spread. My house smelled glorious. There was a huge assortment and lots of full bellies.

I always make peanut butter balls (I think some people call them buckeyes) because everyone loves them but hates to make them. I also bake 2 other recipes that change every year. This year I wanted to do something with dried cherries as I had a few bags left in the pantry from the Bare Fruit Company.

If you have never tried this baked dried fruit it is a must. I love that this are baked and not freeze dried. It takes like fruit leather which I love. These are make great additions to baked items.

I searched for a recipe that could incorporate this ingredient and would be simple to make. Here is what I found from a personal favorite of mine, Martha Stewart. She did not actually create these but they are a personal favorite of hers. I thought I could trust her opinion…lol!

Torie’s Cherry Chocolate-Chunk Cookies

Ingredients

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen.

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups oats
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 4 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup toffee pieces

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, sift together flour and baking soda.

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice during mixing.

• Add the egg; mix on high speed to combine. Add the vanilla; mix to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

• Add flour mixture to egg mixture, and mix on low speed until well combined. Add the oats, cherries, chocolate, and toffee pieces; mix to combine after each addition.

• Spoon a heaping
  tablespoon of dough onto a lined baking sheet. Repeat, spacing 2 inches apart.

• Bake cookies until golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.

The kids said these were delicious. I let them have a sample to make sure they were cookie exchange ready. Also I could not personally sample as I am being extremely good on my detox/gluten free diet.

And there you have Mom on the Run’s Yearly baking experience and may I say it was a success!

Do you like to bake or would you rather cook a meal?

Don’t forget to enter Rudi’s Bakery Great Holiday Giveaway!