Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Max is a great motivator for innovation around our house. Because he's always insisting on something or negotiating better terms for something else.

Last week he wanted to make chocolate chip cookies together. We were out of chocolate chips. I have learned from painful experience that with Max it's smarter to accommodate than divert or substitute. So I sent Randy to pick up some chocolate chips. Instead of the normal semi-sweet I was imagining, he came home with DARK chocolate chips and shredded coconut.

And our new favorite cookie was born. We've made this twice in the last three days. I ate three cookies while I was trying to take this picture. They are yummy.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies

1 cup softened butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp almond flavoring

3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup dried cherries

Cream together butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in almond flavoring. Stir in flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and mix well.  Add chocolate chips, coconut, pecans and cherries and mix well. You can vary these ingredients to taste.

Shape into balls. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350.