1 (11.5-ounce) package milk chocolate chips (divided use)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup dried cherries
1 cup pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350ºF .
Pour 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips into a large microwave-safe bowl; set remaining chips aside.
Microwave morsels for 2 minutes on high. Stir until chocolate is smooth. Add in brown sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla and stir until incorporated.
Add flour and baking powder, mixing until thoroughly combined. Stir in remaining chocolate chips, dried cherries and pecans (or walnuts).
Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until cookies are puffed and set to the touch. For a firmer cookie bake for 14 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
Makes about 30 cookies. Store in air-tight containers.