Name: Cherry Blossom 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 (209g, 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 magically nostalgic about a cookie that’s chewy, hinting with warm spices, with the perfect pop of tart cherries and a melting chocolate center. This Cherry Blossom Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe brings those feelings to your kitchen—comforting but also delightfully special.

The image shows several round oatmeal cookies placed on a silver cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a rough, textured light brown base with visible oats and darker specks. On top of every cookie is a large, smooth, dark brown chocolate kiss placed in the center. White icing is drizzled in thin, irregular lines over the cookies, adding contrast and detail. The cookies are arranged in rows, filling most of the frame, and the photo has a cozy, homemade feel. 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 Blossom Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Blossom Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Blossom Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I baked these cookies—the aroma filled my whole house, and each bite felt like a little celebration. They’re the kind of treat you’ll want to make again and again, whether it’s for a cozy weekend, a gift, or a sweet pick-me-up.

Perfect Texture: These cookies are chewy with a little crispy edge, thanks to the oats and balanced baking time.
Flavors That Pop: Warm spices combined with tart dried cherries and rich chocolate kisses make a nuanced taste everyone enjoys.
Simple Yet Special: Easy to prepare but impressive enough for sharing or gifting, they feel homemade and thoughtful.
Customizable: Whether you want to add a drizzle of vanilla or swap in other dried fruits, these cookies adapt beautifully.

The image shows about sixteen round oatmeal cookies arranged on a silver cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie is golden-brown with a coarse, crumbly texture and has a dark chocolate kiss placed in the center. The cookies are drizzled unevenly with thin white icing lines forming a loose zigzag pattern across each one. In the top left corner, there is a white bowl filled with dark raisins. The scene is brightly lit, with clear focus on the cookies and soft shadows underneath, giving a fresh, homemade feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Cherry Blossom Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe plays a starring role. The balance of rolled oats, spices, and cherries works to create that layered flavor and chewy texture you crave.

Flat lay of a small mound of old-fashioned whole rolled oats, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a few whole cinnamon sticks alongside small white bowls each containing ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger, a small white bowl with baking soda, another small white bowl with salt, a smooth pat of unsalted butter, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl holding packed light brown sugar, a separate small white bowl with granulated sugar, a small white bowl of amber unsulphured molasses, a few shiny dried tart cherries scattered loosely, a neat arrangement of individual chocolate kisses with their distinctive pointed shape, and a small white bowl containing chopped vanilla almond bark next to another tiny white bowl holding coconut oil, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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 rolled oats: These give the cookies chewiness and a lovely nutty flavor that instant oats just can’t provide.
All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, you’ll want to spoon & level for accuracy to avoid dense cookies.
Baking soda: Adds just enough lift and makes a nice tender crumb.
Warm spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger): These classic spices add fragrant warmth without overpowering the cherries’ tartness.
Unsalted butter: Room temperature for easy creaming—that fluffy step is key to a light cookie structure.
Light or dark brown sugar: Contributes moisture and caramel notes that complement the cherries and chocolate.
Granulated sugar: Helps with a slight crispness around the edges.
Eggs: For richness and binding, make sure they’re room temperature for better mixing.
Vanilla extract & molasses: A flavor boost that layers complexity and richness.
Dried tart cherries: Tart and chewy bites that contrast beautifully with the sweet dough.
Chocolate kisses: Pressed on after baking, they soften perfectly without melting entirely.
Vanilla almond bark (optional): Adds a pretty vanilla drizzle that you can’t resist.
Coconut oil or vegetable shortening: Helps melt the almond bark smoothly for drizzling.

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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 mixing it up depending on the season or who I’m baking for. These cookies are a flexible base ripe for your creativity. Add nuts when I want crunch or swap cherries for dried cranberries for a twist.

Nuts: Pecans or walnuts folded in give an extra satisfying crunch that balances the softer oats and chocolate.
Fruit Swap: I once tried dried blueberries instead of cherries, and the flavor was lovely—just make sure they’re tart, not too sweet.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend and certified oats to accommodate dietary needs without losing texture.
Chocolate Variety: Try dark or white chocolate kisses for a flavor shift, depending on your mood or guest preferences.

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

Step 1: Whisk Your Dry Ingredients to Perfection

Start by whisking together the oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in a large bowl. It sounds simple, but evenly distributing those spices makes a huge flavor difference. I typically use a fine whisk and give it a good 30 seconds to ensure everything mixes thoroughly before setting it aside.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter with light brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy—about 2 minutes at medium speed. This step traps air that gives the cookies a lighter structure. Don't rush it—if the butter isn’t soft enough, the texture could suffer. Feel free to scrape down the bowl once or twice to ensure even mixing.

Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Molasses

Now mix in eggs one at a time on high speed just until combined—overmixing will toughen your dough. Then add vanilla extract and molasses for that deep flavor and mix again briefly. Scrape down the bowl sides so nothing is left behind; this little move always keeps the dough consistent.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients, Then Stir in Cherries

Add the dry oat mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Be gentle here—too much mixing can make your cookies tough. Finally, fold in the dried tart cherries with the mixer on low to evenly disperse them without crushing.

Step 5: Chill Briefly, Then Scoop Your Dough

Refrigerate the dough for 30–60 minutes. I usually set a timer because over-chilling can dry the dough out; remember oats absorb moisture so don’t go over an hour here. When ready, scoop two-tablespoon balls of dough—my trick to manage sticky hands is to lightly spray them with cooking spray mixed with a dusting of flour.

Step 6: Bake and Add Your Chocolate Kisses

Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until the edges are lightly browned. The center will look soft and underbaked—that’s perfect. After removing the trays from the oven, let cookies sit on the sheet for 8 minutes, then gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. It softens just so, creating a gooey, dreamy bite.

Step 7: Optional Vanilla Drizzle

For a pretty finishing touch, melt vanilla almond bark with a bit of coconut oil in the microwave at 50% power, stirring every 15 seconds. Once smooth, drizzle over the cookies using a snipped corner of a Ziploc bag. It’s my little indulgence that makes these cookies look and taste even more special.

Top Tip

Over the years making these Cherry Blossom Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe, I’ve learned a few little secrets that really help the cookies turn out perfect every time.

Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted; too soft can make the dough greasy and spread too much.
Dough Chill Time: Stick to 30–60 minutes. Longer chilling dries out the dough because oats soak up moisture.
Handling Sticky Dough: Lightly grease your hands with cooking spray plus a little flour to prevent sticking when rolling balls.
Chocolate Kiss Pressing: Let cookies cool slightly before pressing in kisses; hotter cookies make the chocolate melt too much and lose shape.

How to Serve Cherry Blossom Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe

Cherry Blossom Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep garnishes simple—sometimes a vanilla drizzle, sometimes a light sprinkle of coarse sugar before baking for sparkle. On special occasions, I like to dust with a tiny pinch of powdered sugar right before serving for that delicate look.

Side Dishes

These cookies are delightful with a tall glass of cold milk or a warm cup of cinnamon-spiced tea. Also, they pair well with a serving of Greek yogurt and fresh fruit to balance the sweetness if you want a little breakfast treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I arrange cookies in a pretty box lined with wax paper, separating layers with parchment. I once made a cookie platter decorated with edible cherry blossoms for a spring bash, which was a huge hit and quite the conversation starter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Cherry Blossom Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To keep the chocolate kisses from sweating, I separate layers with wax or parchment paper. The cookies stay chewy and delicious throughout.

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months by wrapping each cookie individually in plastic wrap, then storing in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving, and if you like, warm gently in the oven for a few minutes to bring back softness.

Reheating

I usually reheat cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or so to refresh their softness without melting the chocolate too much. Avoid the microwave—it can overheat the chocolate and make cookies chewy in a bad way.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute dried cherries with another fruit in Cherry Blossom Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe?

Absolutely! I’ve had good success swapping dried cherries for dried cranberries or blueberries. Just look for tart, unsweetened varieties to keep that balance of flavors.

Should I chill the dough longer than an hour for better flavor?

I don’t recommend chilling beyond 60 minutes because the oats soak up moisture, which could dry out the dough and affect texture. If you want a deeper flavor, freshly ground spices and good molasses do the trick nicely.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use a certified gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and make sure the oats are gluten-free certified. The texture and flavor come through beautifully even with these swaps.

How do I store leftover cookies to keep the chocolate kisses from melting?

Store cooled cookies in a single layer or separated by parchment paper in an airtight container at room temperature. This prevents the chocolate kisses from sweating or melting.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Blossom Oat Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe truly holds a special place in my heart—it’s one of those recipes that brings joy, comfort, and a smile every time. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing them as much as I do. Trust me, once you try these chewy, warmly spiced cookies with their luscious chocolate centers, they’ll become a beloved staple in your cookie repertoire.