Blondies with White Chocolate Chips and Cherries

These amazing blondies are filled with white chocolate chips and fresh cherries. They're rich, decadent and absolutely heavenly. They make terrific treats for summer potlucks when fresh cherries are in season.

1½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups brown sugar, firmly packed
¾ cup sugar
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 tsp. sea salt
1½ tsp. baking soda
4½ cups all-purpose flour, unbleached
3 cups cherries, pitted, diced
1 (12 oz) pkg white chocolate chips (not baking chips)

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4). Grease a large 13x17” cookie sheet with butter.

In a large bowl, combine butter, sugars, vanilla, eggs, salt and baking soda.
Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy.

Stir in flour, cherries and white chocolate chips with wooden spoon until combined. 

Spread and press down cookie dough into prepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the  center comes out clean.

Makes 48.

Cook's Notes:  After pitting and dicing the cherries, it’s helpful to pat them dry with a paper towel before adding to the cookie mixture. This avoids discoloration of dough.