The Dreamiest Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Sweet memories collide with classic maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies that sparkle like festive treasures.

Unexpected bursts of vibrant red cherries dance through rich chocolate-studded dough.

Soft and chewy textures promise comfort in every delightful bite.

Childhood nostalgia meets grown-up sophistication with this delectable treat.

Baking becomes an art form when cherries and chocolate intertwine so perfectly.

Each cookie tells a story of playful indulgence waiting to be savored.

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: Sweet Cherry Bliss

• Dive into Delightful Simplicity: Crafting these cookies requires minimal baking skills, making them perfect for novice bakers looking to create something special without feeling overwhelmed.
• Customize Your Sweet Sensation: Easily swap or add ingredients like nuts or different chocolate varieties to match your taste preferences, creating a personalized treat that feels uniquely yours.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Favorite: These vibrant cookies with their pop of cherry color and rich chocolate chips are guaranteed to be a hit at gatherings, potlucks, and family dessert nights, bringing smiles to everyone's faces.
• Stress-Free Baking Experience: With straightforward steps and common pantry ingredients, these cookies eliminate complicated techniques, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed and fun baking adventure from start to finish.

Ingredients for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides a smooth texture and enhances the cookie's flavor.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet ingredients that add depth of flavor and help create a soft, chewy texture.
• Eggs: Binding agents that hold the cookie dough together and contribute to the soft structure.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that gives the cookies their classic texture and form.
• Vanilla Extract: A flavor enhancer that adds a warm, sweet undertone to the cookies.

• Maraschino Cherries: Bright, sweet cherries that add a pop of color and fruity flavor to the cookies.
• Chocolate Chips: Melty morsels that provide rich chocolate bursts throughout the cookie.

• Baking Soda, Salt: Essential ingredients that help the cookies rise and balance the overall sweetness of the recipe.

How to Bake Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. Crank up the oven to a toasty 350F (175C) to get things rolling.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes soft, fluffy, and looks like a cloud of sweetness.

Step 3: Incorporate Liquid Ingredients

Crack eggs into the creamy mixture one by one, blending thoroughly after each addition.

Pour in vanilla extract and mix until everything looks smooth and inviting.

Step 4: Mix Dry Components

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Gently blend these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

Step 5: Add Exciting Mix-Ins

• Chopped maraschino cherries
• Chocolate chips

Ensure these delightful morsels are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.

Step 6: Shape Tasty Treats

Use a spoon to drop rounded dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheets.

Space them out to allow room for spreading.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for a few minutes.

Transfer to wire cooling racks and allow them to cool completely before devouring these sweet treasures.

Tips for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Pat maraschino cherries completely dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy.
• Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
• Cut maraschino cherries into small, uniform pieces to distribute flavor evenly throughout each cookie.
• Reduce granulated sugar slightly if using sweet maraschino cherries to balance overall cookie sweetness.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and soft texture.

Variations on Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Cherry Almond Crunch: Replace chocolate chips with sliced almonds and add almond extract for a nutty flavor profile.
• White Chocolate Raspberry: Swap chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and mix in chopped fresh raspberries for a fruity combination.
• Tropical Cherry Coconut: Incorporate shredded coconut into the dough and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top after baking for a tropical touch.
• Dark Chocolate Orange Zest: Use dark chocolate chips and add orange zest to the dough for a sophisticated citrus-chocolate blend.

Pairing Ideas for Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Pair with Kirsch Liqueur: Enhance the cherry flavor by sipping on this cherry-based brandy that complements the maraschino cherries in the cookies.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a decadent dessert experience by pairing the warm cookies with creamy, rich vanilla ice cream that balances the chocolate and cherry notes.
• Match with Dark Roast Coffee: Brew a bold, robust coffee that cuts through the sweetness and provides a perfect counterpoint to the rich, sweet cookies.
• Enjoy with Chocolate Milk: Indulge in a nostalgic drink that amplifies the chocolate chip flavor and provides a smooth, creamy companion to the cookies.

Storage Advice for Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing sticking.

Shape cookie dough into balls, place on baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bag for up to 3 months; bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes.

Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container, store up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore soft, gooey texture and enhance chocolate chip and cherry flavors.

FAQs

• Why do maraschino cherries add a unique flavor to the cookies?

Maraschino cherries bring a sweet, bright red color and a distinctive fruity tang that complements the rich chocolate chips, creating a delightful contrast in every bite.

• Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries won’t work as well because they’re too watery and lack the sweet syrup that makes maraschino cherries special in this recipe. Stick to maraschino for the best results.

• How do I prevent the cherries from bleeding color into the cookie dough?

Pat the chopped maraschino cherries dry with paper towels before folding them into the dough. This helps minimize color bleeding and keeps your cookies looking neat.

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet chocolate chip cookies get a playful twist with maraschino cherries nestled in rich dough. Cherry lovers will adore these delightful, fruity-chocolatey treats that deliver unexpected joy in every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs

Flavor Enhancers and Mix-ins:

• 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Binding and Leavening Agents:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Set up baking environment by preheating oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Create a creamy base by thoroughly blending butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until achieving a light, airy consistency.
3. Incorporate eggs individually into the mixture, then infuse with vanilla extract for enhanced flavor depth.
4. Separately combine flour, baking soda, and salt, then methodically integrate into the butter mixture to form a uniform dough.
5. Delicately introduce chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips, gently folding to distribute evenly throughout the dough.
6. Utilize a spoon to portion out rounded dollops of cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets, ensuring consistent spacing.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until edges turn a golden-brown hue and centers appear set.
8. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for several minutes to stabilize, then transfer to wire cooling racks for complete cooling and texture refinement.

Notes

• Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly on paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy.
• Chop cherries into small pieces for even distribution and balanced flavor in each bite.
• Consider toasting chocolate chips briefly before adding to enhance their rich, deep chocolate taste.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum for better texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 85 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg