Cherry nut chocolate chip cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
11/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups (about 1/2 pound) dried red tart cherries
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

In a bowl with an electric mixer cream the butter, add the sugars, and
beat mixture until it is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a
time, beating well after each addition, and beat in the vanilla. In
another bowl whisk together the flour, the salt, and the baking soda
until the mixture is combined well, add the mixture to the butter
mixture gradually, beating, and beat the mixture until it is just
combined. Stir in the cherries, the walnuts, and the chocolate chips,
drop rounded tablespoons of the batter 2 inches apart onto lightly
buttered baking sheets, and bake the cookies in the middle of a
preheated 375F. oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden.
Transfer the cookies to racks and let them cool. The cookies may be
stored in airtight containers for 5 days. Makes about 48 cookies.