Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies are simply wonderful (and I’m not just saying that cuz I LOVE, love dark chocolate!)  … these chewy, cherry, oatmeal yummy cookies are good for me too???  I’m in heaven : )

February is National Heart Healthy month and you’ll be glad to know that the oats, cherries, dark chocolate in these cookies are all super foods for our heart!  I found this slideshow on Web MD   that gives the run down of 24 foods that can save your heart!

Did you know that women have different signs of heart attack than men?  Men experience a severe pain in the chest and numbness or pain down the left arm…

The most common heart attack symptom in women is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. But it’s not always severe or even the most prominent symptom, particularly in women. Women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as:

• Neck, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue

*Mayo Clinic

Interesting, right??  just a good reminder!!

Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

*adapted from cooking light Jan 2010

Did you know that oats in any form lowers bad cholesterol and helps control appetite?  It also has antioxidants, fiber, electrolytes, phytonutrients.

Cherries are packed with anthocyanins, an antioxidant believed to help protect blood vessels. Cherries in any form provide these heart-healthy nutrients: the larger heart-shaped sweet cherries, the sour cherries used for baking, as well as dried cherries and cherry juice.

Cocoa reduces blood pressure and cholesterol. Both cocoa and dark chocolate have been observed to aid your arteries in relaxing, thus widening and maintaining their flexibility, helping lower blood pressure. Dark chocolate and cocoa are particularly high in antioxidants called flavanols, which prevent the formation of plaque, thus preventing the rise in blood pressure. These antioxidants also help to deactivate free radicals in our blood which helps to maintain a balance in the cholesterol level in our body.

So give these Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies a try!!  They’re good for your heart 🙂

Yield: 24

Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

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Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies are simply wonderful (and I'm not just saying that cuz I LOVE, love dark chocolate!)  ... these chewy, cherry, oatmeal yummy cookies are good for me too? I'm in heaven.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 3 minutes

Total Time 28 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons applesauce
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and brown sugar until smooth.
5. Add flour mixture and beat until blended.
6. Add cherries, vanilla, and egg; beat until combined.
7. Fold in chocolate.
8. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake 10-12 minutes.
10. Cool on baking sheet 3 minutes or until almost firm.
11. Remove cookies from baking sheet and cool completely on wire racks.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 119Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 103mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 2gSugar: 10gProtein: 2g