The Most Indulgent Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe Ever

Crafting delectable chocolate cherry cookies brings pure joy to any kitchen adventure.

Clusters of rich cocoa mingle perfectly with sweet, tart cherries.

Baking these treats feels like creating edible art that sparks happiness.

Each morsel promises a delightful blend of intense chocolate and bright fruit notes.

Soft, chewy textures invite you to savor every delicious bite.

Moments of culinary magic happen when simple ingredients combine with passion.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s make something extraordinary that will make everyone smile.

Why Chocolate Cherry Cookies Are A Sweet Surprise

• Savor Unique Flavor Combination: Indulge in the delightful blend of rich chocolate, sweet maraschino cherries, and tangy dried cherries that create a symphony of tastes in every bite.
• Customize with Ease: Personalize these cookies by adjusting chocolate chip quantities or experimenting with different types of chocolate for a custom touch that suits your preferences.
• Perfect for Sweet Lovers: Delight chocolate and cherry enthusiasts with a cookie that balances decadent chocolate depth and fruity brightness, making it a crowd-pleasing treat for all ages.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Navigate this recipe with confidence, as it requires basic mixing techniques and simple ingredients that even novice bakers can master without stress.

What You Need For Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie that provides structure and texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds deep chocolate flavor and rich dark color to the cookies.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread during baking.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
• Cornstarch: Creates a softer, more tender cookie texture.

• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender cookie crumb.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Contribute sweetness and help with cookie browning and texture.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor to the cookies.

• Maraschino Cherries, Dried Cherries: Add bursts of sweet and tangy cherry flavor.
• Chocolate Chips: Provide extra chocolate chunks and melty pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie.

Easy Steps For Chocolate Cherry Cookie Prep

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Warm up the oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready for cookie magic.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cornstarch

Set this magical mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large bowl, blend softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar. Whip these ingredients until they become light and fluffy, which takes about 2-3 minutes of passionate mixing.

Step 4: Add Moisture

Introduce the egg and vanilla extract to your creamy butter mixture. Mix until everything is beautifully combined and smooth.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined – don’t overmix!

Step 6: Fold in Delicious Bits

• Chopped maraschino cherries
• Dried cherries
• Chocolate chips

Step 7: Shape Cookie Balls

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough. Roll them into perfect little balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 8: Add Extra Chocolate Charm

Press a few extra chocolate chips on top of each cookie ball for an irresistible look and extra chocolatey flavor.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Pop the cookies into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for set edges with soft, slightly gooey centers.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Get ready to indulge in chocolate cherry heaven!

Baking Tips For Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Swap maraschino cherries with fresh or frozen cherries for a more natural sweetness and intense flavor profile.
• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Use high-quality dark chocolate chips for deeper, richer chocolate notes in each bite.
• Add a pinch of sea salt on top before baking to enhance the chocolate and cherry flavors.
• For gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

Fun Variations Of Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Cherry Almond Crunch: Replace chocolate chips with sliced almonds and add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for a nutty, aromatic flavor profile.
• Dark Chocolate Orange Burst: Swap maraschino cherries with candied orange peel and use dark chocolate chips for an intense, sophisticated taste.
• White Chocolate Raspberry Fusion: Use white chocolate chips and fold in freeze-dried raspberries for a tangy, creamy cookie experience.
• Cherry Cheesecake Swirl: Mix softened cream cheese into half the dough and create a marbled effect when combining with the original chocolate cherry cookie base.

Great Sides With Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Pair Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Smooth Red Wine: Select a fruity Pinot Noir or light Merlot that complements the cherry and chocolate flavors, enhancing the cookie's richness.
• Brew Bold Espresso Companion: Create a perfect match with a strong espresso or cappuccino, where the coffee's intense notes cut through the cookie's sweetness and highlight its deep chocolate undertones.
• Elevate with Creamy Vanilla Dessert Wine: Serve alongside a chilled Moscato d'Asti or sweet vanilla-based dessert wine, which amplifies the cookie's fruity and chocolatey profile while providing a luxurious drinking experience.
• Serve Alongside Cold Milk Splash: Pour a classic glass of cold milk to balance the cookie's rich chocolate and cherry flavors, creating a nostalgic and comforting pairing that appeals to both kids and adults.

Store Chocolate Cherry Cookies The Right Way

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep them in the coolest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
• Preheat oven to 300F, place cookies on a baking sheet, and warm for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft texture and revive the chocolate chips' melty goodness.
• Heat cookies for 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Watch carefully to prevent overcooking and maintain their soft, chewy texture.

FAQ Sheet For Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino and dried cherries?

No, fresh cherries have too much moisture and will make the cookie dough too wet. Maraschino and dried cherries work best for maintaining the right cookie texture.

• Why do I need cornstarch in this recipe?

Cornstarch helps create a softer, more tender cookie by preventing excessive gluten development and adding a delicate crumb to the texture.

• How do I know if the cookies are fully baked?

Look for set edges and slightly soft centers. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet, so avoid overbaking.

• Can I substitute the chocolate chips with another type of chocolate?

Yes, you can use dark, milk, or white chocolate chips depending on your preference. Just ensure they are similar in size to maintain consistent baking.

Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25-27 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet chocolate cherry cookies bring a delightful dance of rich cocoa and tangy fruit in one irresistible bite. Homemade comfort merges with elegant flavor, promising a blissful treat you’ll savor to the last crumb.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup (135 grams) light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (65 grams) granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup (100 grams) chopped maraschino cherries
• 1/3 cup (40 grams) sweetened dried cherries
• 1/2 cup (85 grams) chocolate chips or chunks

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons (140 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (30 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring even heat distribution.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch, creating a uniform dry mixture.
3. Using an electric mixer, blend softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until thoroughly integrated.
5. Gradually introduce the dry ingredient blend into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to prevent overmixing.
6. Carefully fold chopped maraschino cherries, dried cherries, and chocolate chips into the cookie dough, distributing ingredients evenly.
7. Form tablespoon-sized dough portions into round balls, placing them on the prepared baking sheet with sufficient spacing to allow spreading.
8. Strategically press additional chocolate chips onto the top of each cookie for enhanced visual appeal and chocolate intensity.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for set edges while maintaining soft centers, indicating perfect cookie consistency.
10. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and texture development.

Notes

• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, even mixing that creates a lighter cookie texture.
• Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain similar consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg