Quick & Dreamy Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe for Sweet Souls

Sweet chocolate cherry cookies combine unexpected flavors that dance across your palate with delightful surprise.

Cherries bring a bright, tangy note to classic chocolate desserts.

Bakers adore how these ingredients create a magical contrast between rich cocoa and fruity bursts.

Rich chocolate provides a deep, velvety backdrop for juicy cherry pieces.

Crisp edges and soft centers make these cookies irresistibly tempting.

Mixing fresh cherries with dark chocolate promises a delectable adventure for anyone who loves complex flavor profiles.

Each bite promises pure cookie bliss that you won’t want to stop enjoying.

Tips for Chewy Cookies with Cherry Punch

• Optimize Chocolate Intensity: Use high-quality dark cocoa powder for a richer, more complex chocolate flavor that elevates the entire cookie experience.
• Prevent Cherry Sinking: Lightly dust dried cherries with flour before folding into the dough to help them distribute evenly and prevent dropping to the bottom of the cookies.
• Achieve Perfect Texture: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers look slightly underbaked to ensure a soft, chewy texture that doesn't dry out.
• Customize Mix-Ins: Swap dried cherries with other dried fruits like cranberries or chopped dried raspberries for a personalized twist on the classic recipe.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their soft texture.

Store and Reheat Chocolate Cherry Cookies Like a Pro

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, keeping them flat. Freeze for 2-3 months without losing quality or flavor.
• Remove frozen cookies and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
• Warm cookies briefly in a preheated 300F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-from-the-oven taste and slightly crisp edges.

Great Pairings for These Rich Cookies

• Choose a rich, full-bodied red wine like cabernet sauvignon or port to complement the deep chocolate and cherry flavors in these cookies. The wine's bold tannins will enhance the dessert's richness.
• Brew a smooth, medium-roast espresso or cappuccino to balance the cookies' sweetness. The coffee's slight bitterness will cut through the chocolate's intensity, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Serve a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm cookies. The cold, creamy texture and subtle vanilla notes will provide a delightful contrast to the chocolate and cherry warmth.
• Drizzle a small amount of amaretto or almond-flavored liqueur over the cookies. This will add a nutty, sophisticated layer that complements the cherries and chocolate beautifully.

Cherry Cookie Variations to Mix Things Up

Gluten-Free Cherry Chocolate Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.

Vegan Chocolate Cherry Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use egg replacer or mashed banana, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based alternative.

Low-Sugar Cherry Chocolate Treats: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of granulated sugar, and incorporate sugar-free dark chocolate chips for a diabetic-friendly option.

Nutty Cherry Chocolate Variation: Add chopped almonds or pecans to the dough for extra crunch and nutty flavor profile, enhancing the texture and providing additional protein.

Got Questions? Chocolate Cherry Cookie Answers

• How do I prevent the chocolate chips and dried cherries from sinking to the bottom of the cookies?

Gently toss the chocolate chips and dried cherries in a small amount of flour before adding them to the dough. This light coating helps prevent them from sinking during baking.

• Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried cherries?

Fresh cherries contain more moisture and might make the cookies too wet. Stick with dried cherries for the best texture and consistent results. If you want fresh cherry flavor, consider chopping dried cherries and adding a small amount of cherry extract.

• What kind of cocoa powder works best for these cookies?

Dutch-processed cocoa powder provides a richer, smoother chocolate flavor. However, natural unsweetened cocoa powder will also work well in this recipe. Just ensure it’s unsweetened for the most balanced taste.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for set edges and slightly soft centers. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet. They should look slightly underbaked when you first remove them from the oven to ensure a chewy, soft texture.

Why Chocolate Cherry Cookies Make a Bold Statement

• Beginner bakers can nail this recipe with minimal kitchen skills, requiring just basic mixing and standard baking techniques.
• Perfect for casual family gatherings or relaxed weekend baking sessions, these cookies bring sweet joy without complicated preparation.
• Combining rich chocolate chips with tangy dried cherries creates an irresistible balance of chewy, soft textures that surprise and delight taste buds.

Ingredients Behind Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet base that caramelizes and adds depth to cookie flavor.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and creates structure for cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, sweet notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Fundamental structure for cookie dough.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and dark color.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread with soft texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors.

• Chocolate Chips, Dried Cherries: Add extra texture, sweetness, and fruity chocolate complexity. Best when using high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips and tart dried cherries for contrast.

How to Bake Chocolate Cherry Cookies Just Right

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F (175C). Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats for a perfect non-stick surface.

Step 2: Whip Up a Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Blend until the mixture looks light and airy, about 2-3 minutes of passionate mixing.

Step 3: Introduce Moisture Magic

Crack in the eggs one by one, letting each fully incorporate before adding the next. Splash in vanilla extract for an aromatic boost.

Step 4: Create the Dry Flavor Foundation

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Gently marry the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

Step 5: Spark the Flavor Explosion

• Chocolate chips
• Dried cherries

Ensure an even distribution of these taste-packed treasures.

Step 6: Shape Delectable Morsels

Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow room for spreading.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for set edges with centers that still seem slightly soft- they’ll firm up as they cool.

Step 8: Cool and Celebrate

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Let them cool completely before diving into chocolate cherry heaven.

Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate cherry cookies blend intense cocoa with sweet cherry chunks, creating a luxurious dessert that dances between deep, dark flavors and fruity brightness. Chocolate lovers will find pure bliss in these elegant treats that promise a delightful sensory experience with each irresistible bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (230g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (50g) cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Mix-ins:

• 1 cup (180g) dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup (120g) dried cherries
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, then blend in the vanilla extract, ensuring a smooth and homogeneous consistency.
4. Create a separate bowl and thoroughly combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt using a whisk.
5. Gradually integrate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
6. Gently fold chocolate chips and dried cherries throughout the dough, distributing them evenly to ensure each cookie receives a balanced flavor profile.
7. Using a tablespoon, portion the dough onto prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
8. Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, looking for set edges and slightly soft centers, which will continue to firm as they cool.
9. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to stabilize, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies with intense flavors.
• Swap dried cherries with other dried fruits like cranberries or chopped dried raspberries for unique flavor variations.
• Use high-quality dark chocolate chips for a more sophisticated, rich chocolate taste that complements the sweet-tart cherry notes.
• For gluten-free options, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cookie’s soft texture and delicious profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 168
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 67mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 26mg