Black Forest Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies really remind me of oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookies, but with a twist.  In this oatmeal cookie recipe, white and semi sweet chips, dried cherries, and sliced almonds come together to create bites of flavor similar to a black forest cake.  Don't think that these cookies will taste like black forest cake.  They taste like oatmeal cookies with black forest components, and are quite good.

Black Forest Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 cup (96 g) butter flavored shortening

1/2 cup (96 g) shortening

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs
3 Tablespoons half and half (or milk, whatever you have)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 2/3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 cups quick oats

6 ounces (about 1 cup) white chocolate chips

6 ounces (about 1 cup) semi sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cups coarsely chopped dried cherries

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 375F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a large mixing bowl, combine shortenings, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, half and half, vanilla, and almond extract.  Beat at medium speed until well blended and creamy.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder.  Add to creamed mixture, beating on low speed until flour is incorporated.  Stir in oats, white chocolate, semi sweet chocolate, cherries, and nuts.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfulls about 2 inches apart on baking sheets.  Bake for 9 minutes, or until set.  Cool for 2 to 3 minutes on baking sheet, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.  Makes about 3 dozen cookies

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy