Dark chocolate, cherry and almond cookies recipe

The silly season is well and truly upon us, and if you've got space in your social calendar, spending a day in the kitchen with Christmas music cranking is a great way to get some gifts made.

Whether you're after the traditional kind of baking for gifts, or whether you'd like to try something a little different, you're covered.

Have a bit of fun with labels and serving suggestions and eat, drink, and be merry!

Dark chocolate, cherry & almond cookies 

225g good quality dark chocolate (I use Whittaker's Dark Ghana)
3 Tbsp butter
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp espresso powder
1 tsp good quality vanilla extract
1 cup plain flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped white chocolate
1 cup chopped almonds
3/4 cup dried cherries

Preheat oven to 165C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Gently melt together the chocolate and butter, either in a heatproof bowl over a simmering pot of water, or in a microwave. Heat until the butter has melted, then stir until the remaining chocolate melts.

In a large bowl, beat together eggs and sugar with a wooden spoon until combined. Add the melted chocolate mixture, then stir in all remaining ingredients. Mix together - the mixture will be thick.

Using two tablespoons, drop spoonfuls of dough on to the baking tray, leaving plenty of room for the cookies to spread.

Bake the cookies for 11 to 12 minutes, until their tops just crack. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5-10mins. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

- NZ Herald