Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you’re searching for a delightful treat that perfectly combines tart cherries with rich, melty chocolate, you simply cannot miss this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Each bite offers a tender, buttery cookie studded with sweet maraschino cherries and gooey semi-sweet chocolate chips, creating a flavor explosion that feels like a cozy hug in cookie form. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just a personal indulgence, these cookies bring warmth, color, and irresistible taste to any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe uses straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together effortlessly to create a cookie bursting with flavor and texture. Each component plays an important role: the butter brings richness, brown sugar adds depth and chewiness, cherries give a burst of sweet-tart brightness, and chocolate chips provide that classic melty goodness.

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened): The base of your cookie, it adds richness and keeps the texture soft and tender.
• ¾ cup light brown sugar (packed): Adds a caramel-like sweetness and moisture that ensures chewy cookies.
• 1 large egg: Binds everything together and helps the cookies rise just right.
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
• ¼ tsp pure almond extract: Adds a subtle nutty depth that complements the cherries beautifully.
• 2 drops pink gel food coloring: Optional but fun, this gives the dough a pretty blush pink hue that looks festive and inviting.
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure to the cookies, making them tender but sturdy.
• ½ tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a slight crispness on the edges.
• ¼ tsp kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• ¾ cup maraschino cherries (chopped, drained, and dried): The star ingredient, adding bursts of juicy sweetness and a wonderful chew.
• ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Little pools of melted chocolate in every bite, perfect for any chocolate lover.

How to Make Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it’s hot and ready to bake your cookies to perfection. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Brown Sugar

In a standing mixer, cream together the softened butter and packed light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and combined. This step is crucial for the cookie’s chewy texture and rich flavor foundation.

Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts

Beat in the egg, pure vanilla extract, and almond extract until incorporated, creating a fragrant and moist cookie dough base. The almond extract subtly highlights the cherry flavor to come.

Step 4: Add Pink Food Coloring

Stir in two drops of pink gel food coloring to give your dough a fun, pretty blush color that makes these cookies stand out, especially great for festive occasions or gifts.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.

Step 6: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so mix gently for tender results.

Step 7: Fold in Cherries and Chocolate Chips

Carefully fold in the chopped, drained, and dried maraschino cherries alongside the semi-sweet chocolate chips. This step spreads those delightful bursts of flavor evenly throughout your cookie dough.

Step 8: Scoop the Dough

Use an ice cream scoop to portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them well apart to allow the cookies room to spread during baking.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the cookies for 14 to 16 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown around the edges. This golden hue means the cookies are perfectly cooked but still soft in the middle.

Step 10: Cool Completely

Let the cookies cool fully on a wire rack. This helps them set properly and brings out the best texture and flavor before you dig in.

How to Serve Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle a few additional chopped maraschino cherries or extra chocolate chips on top of the cookies just after baking for a pretty presentation. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a charming touch and a hint of sweetness.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of coffee, or a creamy chai latte for an indulgent snack or dessert experience that’s hard to beat.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the cookies on a tiered dessert stand for parties or package them in a pretty box tied with a ribbon for thoughtful homemade gifts. You can even sandwich them with vanilla or cherry-flavored ice cream for irresistible ice cream cookie sandwiches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their soft, chewy texture for up to five days. Adding a slice of bread inside the container helps keep them moist longer.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to three months and enjoy fresh-tasting cookies whenever cravings strike.

Reheating

To refresh frozen or day-old cookies, simply warm them in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 to 7 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and melty chocolate charm every time.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries contain more moisture and may make the cookies soggy, so it’s best to stick with chopped, drained maraschino cherries for the perfect texture and sweetness that this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe needs.

What if I don’t have almond extract?

If almond extract isn’t available, you can omit it or substitute with an equal amount of vanilla extract. However, the almond notes do beautifully enhance the cherry flavor in these cookies.

Can I substitute chocolate chips with another type of chocolate?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or even chocolate-covered espresso beans for a twist on this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

The original recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make gluten-free versions, you can try a gluten-free flour blend, but keep in mind the texture might vary slightly.

How do I make these cookies less sweet?

Reducing brown sugar or chocolate chips can tone down sweetness, but be cautious as adjusting too much can affect texture and flavor balance. The cherries add natural sweetness, so you might want to start by slightly reducing the chocolate chips.

Final Thoughts

Baking this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is like inviting a burst of joy and color right into your kitchen. The delicate balance of sweet cherries and luscious chocolate in a soft, chewy cookie has quickly become a favorite for good reason. I absolutely encourage you to give this recipe a try—the smiles and requests for seconds are guaranteed!

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