Peeps' Dried Cherry Pecan Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• softened
• 12 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon (I sometimes use more)
• 1 12 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 12 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups old fashioned oats (the instant work as well but I prefer the additional chewy texture that the course oats give)
• 1 cup pecans
• chopped and toasted
• 1 cup dried cherries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cream together butter and sugars for 2 minutes or very light and fluffy.
3. Add in eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined.
4. Mix in cinnamon, flour, baking soda, and salt until just beginning to combine.
5. Add oatmeal, pecans and cherries and mix until combined.
6. Drop onto cookie sheets by tablespoonfuls or 1/4 cupfuls
7. Bake 12 minutes for the smaller cookies or 15 for the larger size.
8. Cool 3 minutes on pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Store in an airtight container 3 days or in freezer in a plastic storage bag.
10. Note: using 1/2 butter and 1/2 shortening will extend the counter life another day or 2 but the flavor is better with all butter.