If you love the perfect balance of rich chocolate and tart cherries, get ready to fall head over heels with this Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie bursting with melty semi-sweet chocolate chips and just the right touch of fruity cherry goodness. It’s a delightful treat that feels both homemade and special enough to impress guests or brighten up your day. Whether you’re craving a cozy afternoon snack or a festive dessert, these cookies tick all the boxes with their inviting aroma, satisfying texture, and that unforgettable combination of flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a few simple yet essential ingredients is all it takes to create these scrumptious cookies. Each one plays a crucial role, from adding moisture and tenderness to delivering deep chocolate notes and bright cherry bursts.
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened: Provides the perfect creamy base for a tender cookie texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and adds a slight crispness to the cookie edges.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed: Brings a rich, caramel-like flavor and helps keep the cookies moist.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together while adding moisture and richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation of the cookies that gives structure.
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and a beautiful dark color.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and maintain softness.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and brightens the chocolate notes.
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melty pockets of chocolate indulgence in every bite.
- 3/4 cup dried cherries (or chopped maraschino cherries, well drained): Provides a tart, fruity contrast and delightful chewiness.
- Optional 1/2 teaspoon almond extract: Adds a subtle, nutty undertone that compliments cherries beautifully.
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to ensure it’s perfectly hot when your cookies go in. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This step is key for creating a tender, airy cookie base that melts in your mouth.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Flavors
Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate air and moisture evenly. Then stir in the vanilla extract along with the optional almond extract for an extra pop of flavor that pairs beautifully with cherries.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures your dry ingredients are evenly distributed and your cookies bake consistently.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until the dough is just combined. Over-mixing can lead to tough cookies, so take care to blend everything smoothly but gently.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Cherries
Finally, stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and dried cherries. The chocolate chips will provide gooey pockets of richness while the cherries add a chewy, tart surprise in every bite.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges look set but the centers remain slightly soft. This ensures a tender, chewy center everyone will love.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This finishing step helps the cookies firm up just enough without losing that delightful softness.
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a charming finishing touch, sprinkle a few extra dried cherries or mini chocolate chips on top while the cookies are still warm. You could also dust lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant look that’s perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Side Dishes
Chocolate Cherry Cookies go wonderfully alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a rich cup of coffee. For a grown-up twist, pair them with a smooth hot chocolate or a sweet dessert wine to elevate the experience even further.
Creative Ways to Present
Get creative by stacking a few cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in between for an irresistible cookie sandwich. Or arrange them beautifully on a festive platter with fresh cherries and dark chocolate shavings to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They hold their tender texture for about a week, making it easy to enjoy them fresh-baked anytime you want.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch, these cookies freeze remarkably well. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
To revive the fresh-baked warmth, pop the cookies in a preheated oven at 325°F for about 5 minutes. This melts the chocolate chips slightly and brings back that just-out-of-the-oven softness you adore.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh cherries for the dried or maraschino cherries?
Fresh cherries have a lot of water content, which can change the cookie’s texture and cause spreading. It’s best to stick with dried or well-drained maraschino cherries to maintain the perfect chewy texture.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
Almond extract is optional and just adds a subtle nutty flavor, so you can absolutely leave it out. The cookies will still be deliciously chocolatey and cherry-filled without it.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe uses all-purpose flour, so they are not gluten-free. However, you can experiment by substituting a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking to suit your needs.
How do I get soft, chewy cookies instead of crunchy?
The combination of brown sugar and butter, along with careful baking time, helps keep these cookies soft and chewy. Make sure not to overbake them—the centers should still look a bit soft when you take them out.
Can I add nuts to these cookies?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts or pecans would add wonderful crunch and complement both the chocolate and cherry flavors beautifully. Just fold them in with the chocolate chips and cherries.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe, it’s hard to go back to ordinary cookies. The charming blend of chocolate richness and tart cherry freshness wrapped up in a soft, chewy cookie is pure comfort. Whether for a cozy night in or sharing with friends, these cookies bring warmth and joy straight from your oven to your heart. Give them a try—you deserve a little sweet magic today!
Print
Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these rich and chewy Chocolate Cherry Cookies, combining luscious cocoa, sweet chocolate chips, and tart dried cherries for a perfect holiday treat. Soft in the middle with slightly crisp edges, these homemade cookies balance decadent chocolate flavor with a fruity burst, ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup dried cherries (or chopped maraschino cherries, well drained)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and well combined to ensure a smooth cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate fully, then mix in the vanilla extract and, if using, the almond extract for added depth of flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly blended, forming the dry base for the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring continuously until fully incorporated into a uniform cookie dough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Cherries: Gently stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and dried or maraschino cherries ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
- Portion Cookie Dough: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers remain slightly soft, indicating perfect doneness.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Dried tart cherries provide a pleasant chew and balance the richness of the chocolate perfectly.
- For an extra burst of cherry flavor, chopped maraschino cherries can be used, but ensure they are well-drained and blotted dry to avoid excess moisture affecting the cookie texture.
- Cookies freeze well for up to 3 months, making them convenient for make-ahead treats.
