Name: Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 12 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats; 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 cup (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs at room temperature; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses; 1 cup dried tart cherries; 26-28 chocolate kisses; 3 ounces vanilla almond bark, chopped; 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening

There's something undeniably cozy about oatmeal cookies with a surprise twist inside. The Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe pairs chewy oats and tangy dried cherries with a melty chocolate center, making every bite feel like a little celebration. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll quickly become your go-to comfort cookie.

The image shows several round oatmeal cookies with a rough, bumpy texture, light brown in color, each topped with a single large cone-shaped dark chocolate piece in the center. White icing is drizzled over the top of each cookie in thin, wavy lines creating a contrast against the brown cookie and chocolate. The cookies rest spaced out on a metal cooling rack, and the background is a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These cookies are a beautiful harmony of textures and flavors that I can’t get enough of. The way the tart cherries balance the sweetness, along with a kiss of chocolate right on top, feels special but is surprisingly easy to make at home.

Perfect Texture: The oats give these cookies just the right chewy bite without being heavy or cakey.
Flavor Harmony: The warm spices combined with tart cherries and vanilla molasses create layers of cozy flavors.
Fun Chocolate Surprise: Pressing a chocolate kiss on top right after baking adds a melty, gooey center everyone loves.
Easy to Make: Even with the fancy ingredients, the steps flow naturally and don’t take all day.

The image shows 16 round oatmeal cookies arranged in four rows on a silver wire cooling rack, placed over a white marbled surface. Each cookie is golden brown with a rough, bumpy texture from oats and raisins, and has a single large chocolate drop pressed in the center. Thin white icing strands are drizzled in a zigzag pattern over the top of each cookie, adding contrast to the warm tones. In the top left corner, there is a small white bowl filled with dark dried fruits, partially visible. A beige and white striped cloth is folded beside the rack on the bottom right corner. The scene looks bright and clean, with soft natural light highlighting the cookies’ details. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe plays a crucial role—from grounding the flavor to creating texture. Shopping for quality oats and cherries is key to making these cookies shine.

Flat lay of a small mound of old-fashioned whole rolled oats, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a square of unsalted butter softened to room temperature, a small white bowl filled with packed light brown sugar, another small white bowl with granulated sugar, a small white bowl containing dark red dried tart cherries, a cluster of glossy chocolate kisses arranged symmetrically, a small white bowl holding smooth molasses syrup, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground cloves, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl with ground ginger, a small white bowl with baking soda, a small white bowl with salt, and a small white bowl with vanilla extract, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Old-fashioned whole rolled oats: Provide that hearty, chewy base unlike quick oats that can be too soft.
All-purpose flour: The structure builder, spooned and leveled so you don’t add too much.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread just right and adds a light texture.
Ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger: These warm spices bring a cozy depth that makes the cookies feel like fall, even any time of year.
Unsalted butter: Gives richness and flavor—make sure it’s softened to room temp for easy mixing.
Light or dark brown sugar: Adds moisture and that caramel-y sweetness that works wonderfully with oats.
Granulated sugar: Gives a bit of crispness to the cookie edges.
Eggs: The binder that holds everything together, contributing to tenderness.
Vanilla extract: Elevates all the flavors with its sweet aromatic essence.
Unsulphured molasses: Adds a subtle depth and a slight chewiness that you might not expect but will adore.
Dried tart cherries: Provide bursts of tangy sweetness that pair beautifully with the chocolate.
Chocolate kisses: Pressed onto freshly baked cookies, they melt into dreamy chocolate centers.
Vanilla almond bark and coconut oil (optional): For a gorgeous drizzle that adds an eye-catching finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe depending on my mood or what’s in my pantry. You can easily swap ingredients or add mix-ins to make it feel like your own creation.

Variation: Sometimes I swap dried tart cherries for dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots—each brings a unique sweetness and chewiness that’s just as delightful.
Diet-friendly: For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free oats and flour blends. The cookie’s texture remains just as satisfying.
Add nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans add great crunch and complement the cherries and chocolate.
Skip the drizzle: If you want a simpler cookie, leaving out the vanilla almond bark drizzle still leaves you with a wonderfully tasty treat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe

Step 1: Whisking Your Dry Goodies

Start by combining your oats, flour, baking soda, and all those cozy spices in a large bowl. Whisk these together so the spices are evenly distributed—this helps each cookie have a perfect balance of flavor.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars to Fluffy Perfection

I use my stand mixer with the paddle attachment for this part—it’s magic. Beat the softened butter with brown and granulated sugars on medium speed for about two minutes. You’re looking for a light, fluffy texture, which makes the cookies wonderfully tender and moist.

Step 3: Blend in the Eggs, Vanilla & Molasses

Add your eggs one at a time, mixing on high just until combined to avoid overworking the batter. Then in go the vanilla and molasses—these ingredients amplify that depth of flavor and add a subtle chewiness. Don’t forget to scrape the bowl sides so nothing gets left behind!

Step 4: Marry the Dry and Wet Ingredients

Slowly add the oat mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Then fold in the dried cherries gently—this keeps them from breaking up too much and preserves their lovely bursts of tartness.

Step 5: Chill That Dough

Refrigerate the dough for about 30 to 60 minutes. I don’t recommend chilling longer because the oats soak up moisture and the dough can get too dry, which makes for crumbly cookies.

Step 6: Bake with Love

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your cookie sheets. I like using parchment or silicone mats for easy cleanup and even baking. Roll the chilled dough into two-tablespoon balls—sticky dough is no joke, so spraying your hands with a touch of cooking spray mixed with flour is a game-changer here.

Place the balls about 2 inches apart and pop them in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies should be lightly browned around the edges with soft, underbaked centers—this means they’ll finish perfecting as they cool.

Step 7: Add Those Chocolate Kisses

Take your cookies out and let them rest on the baking sheet for about 8 minutes. Now the secret magic: gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. The warmth will melt the chocolate just right without it losing all shape.

Step 8: Optional Vanilla Drizzle Finish

If you want to impress, melt chopped vanilla almond bark with a little coconut or vegetable shortening in short bursts in the microwave. Pour it into a plastic bag, snip a tiny corner, and drizzle over the cookies for a stunning presentation and an extra layer of flavor.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned small tricks that make these Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe turn out perfectly every time. These tips can save you stress and get you professional-looking cookies even if you’re a beginner.

Hand Preparation: Since the dough is sticky, use a little cooking spray mixed with flour on your hands to avoid sticky fingers and perfectly shaped balls.
Don’t Overbake: Cookies look soft and underdone when you pull them out, but they set as they cool—overbaking will dry them out.
Press Kisses While Warm: For a melty chocolate center without losing shape, add the kisses after cookies cool slightly but are still warm.
Chilling Time: Keep the dough chilled for no more than an hour—longer and the oats absorb too much moisture, changing the texture.

How to Serve Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple, but sometimes I sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the chocolate kisses after pressing them in. That contrast of sweet and salty just sends the flavor over the top in my opinion.

Side Dishes

These cookies go beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, a mug of rich hot chocolate, or even a cold glass of milk for kids. I’ve also served them alongside a light fruit salad for brunch gatherings—they add the perfect touch of sweetness without overpowering the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these cookies in pretty cookie jars or wrapped stacks tied with twine and fresh sprigs of mint or rosemary. The vanilla drizzle adds elegance, so for gift-giving, I always add that extra touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The cookies stay chewy and fresh, but if you live in a humid climate, you might want to refrigerate to prevent them from getting too soft.

Freezing

I’ve frozen scooped cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transferred them to a freezer bag. When I want fresh cookies, I bake them straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time. It’s such a convenient way to always have treats ready.

Reheating

To warm up cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This refreshes that soft, melty texture without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute dried cherries with fresh ones in the Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe?

Fresh cherries have much higher moisture content, which can change the texture and bake time of the cookies. It’s best to stick with dried tart cherries for consistent results unless you’re fine with a softer, more cake-like cookie and want to experiment.

Do I have to use molasses in the Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe?

Molasses adds a subtle depth and chew that enriches the cookie's flavor, but you can omit it if needed. You might want to replace it with a bit of honey or maple syrup for a different twist, but keep in mind the flavor profile will shift slightly.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

To make a vegan version, swap butter for a plant-based margarine and use flax eggs (ground flaxseed mixed with water) instead of eggs. Use vegan chocolate kisses or chips to keep everything plant-based. The texture might be a touch different but still delicious!

How long do Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses last fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they remain fresh and chewy for about 3-4 days. Beyond that, they may start to dry out or harden, so I recommend enjoying them within that window or freezing for longer storage.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Cherry Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe is close to my heart because it’s a simple way to make every day feel a bit more special. Whether you’re baking for friends, gift-giving, or just treating yourself, these cookies bring warmth and joy with every bite. I can’t wait to hear how they become a favorite in your kitchen too!