The weekend is almost here, and I figure we could all use a liberal dose of HAPPINESS right about now. Maybe you’re cranky from work, the lack of beach weather (it goes that way sometimes in October), or just because you’ve stubbed your toe 5 times in the last 3 days…. well, these cookies are easily the best cure.

I dubbed them “Happiness Cookies” the first time I made them – they are instantly cheering, sunny, warm, and unbelievably delicious. The only sad thing about them is when you get down to the last 1 or 2 of a batch. Luckily, more can be whipped up in about 45 minutes, including baking time.

Happiness Cookies are a variation on the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from James McNair and Andrew Moore in From Our House to Yours, but, in my humble opinion, made much more fun by the addition of dark chocolate chunks, substitution of dried cherries for raisins, and a liberal dose of warm cinnamon.

As with any cookie recipe, it is a shame that we don’t make them from scratch more often, because they take about 20 minutes to prepare, dirty very few dishes, and generally do not make a nuisance of themselves.

So, if you’ve got 45 minutes or so to spare (baking time included) and want to make someone happy, whip up a batch of these outrageously delicious cookies.

Click here for a printable version of the recipe

Cherry Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, Yields 12-18 Cookies

Adapted from James McNair and Andrew Moore in From Our House to Yours

Prep Time: 25 Minutes

Baking Time: 20 Minutes

Total Prep Time: 45 Minutes

Ingredients:

½ Cup Flour

½ Tsp. Baking Soda

½ Tsp. Salt

¾ Cup Butter, at room temperature

1 Cup Brown Sugar, tightly packed

½ Cup Sugar

1 Egg, at room temperature

2 Tsp. Vanilla

2 Tsp. Cinnamon

3 Cups Rolled Oats

1 Cup Dried Cherries

1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or Chunks

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well with a whisk and set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars at medium speed for 5 minutes – it’ll get very light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and cinnamon and beat until incorporated.

Add the flour mixture and mix at low speed until incorporated. Remove the bowl from the electric mixer and add the oats, 1 cup at a time, mixing between each addition. The dough will be SUPER stiff – get ready to work your biceps. Once well mixed, add in the cherries and chocolate chunks and mix well. Go ahead and take a little taste of deliciousness. Yum!

Using an ice cream scoop, form rounded scoops of dough and arrange on the cookie sheet with a fair amount of space between each – they will spread.

Pop into the oven for 18 minutes – your place will smell amazing!

Remove from the oven and let the cookies set while still on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Once set, remove them to a wire cooling rack, or, if you don’t mind a bit of heat, pour a big glass of milk, and bite into one immediately… Enjoy!