My inspiration for these were from two separate occurrences. One was from my son’s 3rd grade class’s tasting day for Sweden, where I got to taste a cardamom scented bread.  The bread reminded me of Challah as it was slightly sweet but also fragrant with the cardamom.  I was then in an Indian grocery store picking up some ingredients and prepared chutneys when I noticed cardamom flavored cream filled cookies.  I bought them and loved the taste. 

The next time I made cookies I decided to try my luck with some cardamom.   I made a batch of oatmeal cookies and split it in half.  One half I added chocolate chips to and the other half I added chopped walnuts and cardamom.  (I broke several pods apart with mortar and pestle then crushed the seeds)  I also added some dried cherries to some of the cardamom/walnut half.   They were all delicious.

Cardamom & Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

1 ¾ cup unsalted butter

¾ cup brown sugar

⅓ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups oatmeal

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

¾ tsp cinnamon

¾ tsp ground cardamom (open pods, remove husks and grind seeds)

½ cup walnuts chopped

½ cup dried cherries (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Mix flour, oatmeal, baking soda, salt and spices and set aside.  Using a hand held or standing mixer cream the butter and sugars together then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one.  Add the oat mixture.  Fold in the walnuts and cherries.  Using an ice cream scooper or tablespoon, drop rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheet (parchment or silicone covered) and bake 9-11 minutes.  Cool on wire rack after about 1 minute out of oven.  Makes 3-4 dozen depending on size.

All of it was a success to me.  My kids preferred the chocolate chip version and didn’t particularly like the ones with cherries (I did) but they still liked the new flavor.  They’re willing to try new flavors.  Doesn’t always work, but love it when it does.  And so glad I can get inspired to experiment as well.