Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies with Cherries

My parents visited a few weeks ago and I had to make sure I had some homemade cookies on hand.  I looked through the pantry and grabbed the bittersweet chocolate chips and dried cherries.  The tart dried cherries and smooth, sweet dark chocolate complement each other very well in these cookies.  I'm sure semi-sweet chips would work as well, but the higher quality Ghiradelli bittersweet chips really put these cookies over the top.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES WITH CHERRIES
From Hannah's Kitchen

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups dried cherries
2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips (60% cacao)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Cream butter, shortening, and sugars together until light and fluffy.  Mix in vanilla and eggs until combined.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda.  Add flour mixture to butter mixture until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips and dried cherries.

3. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are set and just turning light brown.  Cool on cookie sheets for a few minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

This post is linked to Sweets for a Saturday and Sweet Indulgences Sunday.