Eat your oatmeal in cookie form! Cherry pistachio oatmeal cookies are loaded with rolled oats, chopped pistachio, and dried cherries.
Autumn is upon us!
Fall means lots of apple pie, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie. A lot of pie.
And, it’s also time to get ready for all the holiday cookies! Kick off the cookie season with these cherry pistachio oatmeal cookies. They are spiced with a hint of cinnamon for extra warm flavor.
It’s packed with rolled oats and sprinkling of wheat bran for added nutrients.
Dried Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
I would consider this “heathly-ish” baking. These cookies contain fruit, nuts, and oatmeal. Sounds pretty healthy to me!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with eating your oatmeal in the form of a cookie. It makes it more portable and shareable! Yay for oatmeal cookies!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Listed below are the key ingredients for these cherry pistachio oatmeal cookies. Use the substitutions to adjust the cookie recipe to your preferences.
Wheat germ is the embryo of the wheat kernel, and it is full of nutrients. However, it is prone to rancidity because of its high fat content.
- Recommended wheat germ brands: Bob’s Red Mill and Kretschmer. Find this ingredient in the baking aisle alongside other grains.
- Substitution options: omit or add equal amount of all-purpose flour.
Old-fashioned oats, also called rolled oats, are produced by rolling steamed oat groats.
- In a pinch, you may substitute in “quick oats.” However, these may result in a gummy texture because quick oats tend to break down faster.
- Do not use steel-cut oats, Irish oats, or Scotch oats.
Pistachios pair wonderfully with cherries. Proof: spumoni gelato in the United States is cherry, pistachio, and chocolate layered together.
- Substitution options: almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
Dried cherries are available in several different options such as tart cherries, sour cherries, sweetened cherries. Use your choice of cherries.
- Substitution options: chopped dried apricots, raisins, dried cranberries, or any other chopped dried fruit.
Baking Tips
These cookies will soft and chewy, fresh from the oven. To ensure they remain soft, slightly underbake the cookies.
Alternatively, place one or two cookies in the microwave along with a cup of water and heat for 20 second intervals until warm.
Cherry Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (113 g), softened, room temp
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g)
- ½ cup light brown sugar (100 g), packed
- 1 large egg, room temp
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (32 g)
- ¼ cup toasted wheat germ* (30 g)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats (135 g), also called rolled oats
- ½ cup chopped pistachios (60 g)
- ½ cup dried cherries (70 g), chopped if large
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth. Add sugar and brown sugar and mix until creamy.
- Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, wish together flour, wheat germ, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add dry mixture to mixing bowl.
- Add oats, pistachios, and cherries to mixing bowl and mix until distributed evenly.
- Scoop dough using ice cream scooper (or tablespoons) and place balls of dough 2 inches apart on parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes until cookies are lightly golden in color. They should still be a little soft in the middle, they will firm up as they cool. Let cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
I’ve always liked oatmeal cookies, but I’m tried of the usual raisins and walnuts. Thanks for the sharing!
I love oatmeal cookies for breakfast. I don’t know why I’ve never tried dried cherries in the mix before. Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re welcome, Linda!
What a great combination. I love pistachios but never bake with them enough. Great recipe.
Awesome recipe, thanks for the inspiration! We did a Coach’s Oats twist on your recipe, swapping cranberries for the cherries. Here is our post, giving you a shout out: http://www.coachsoatsblog.com/2013/12/oatmeal-pistachio-cranberry-cookies.html
Thanks Theresa! Your version looks great! :)
would the recipe work without the toasted wheat germ? or is there an alternative to that if I don’t have any?