The Perfect Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe for Sweet Lovers

Sweet chocolate lovers often dream about the perfect chocolate cherry cookies that blend rich cocoa with bright fruity notes.

Unexpected flavor combinations can surprise even seasoned bakers with delightful results.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a textural magic that makes these treats irresistible.

Cherries add a tangy brightness that cuts through the deep chocolate intensity.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can whip up these delectable morsels in under an hour.

Freshly baked and cooled, these cookies promise a memorable taste experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Grab a mixing bowl and let the baking adventure begin!

Why Everyone’s Talking About Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Craft Decadent Treats: These chocolate cherry cookies deliver rich, gourmet flavors with professional-level taste right from your home kitchen.
• Master Simple Baking: Beginner bakers can confidently create these cookies using straightforward steps and basic ingredients without complicated techniques.
• Perfect Party Pleaser: Stunning dark chocolate and cherry combination makes these cookies ideal for gatherings, potlucks, and dessert tables that impress guests.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows creative variations like swapping chocolate chips or adding nuts to match personal preferences and ingredient availability.

All You Need For Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Flour: Essential dry ingredient that provides structure to the cookies.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cookies.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a soft, tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Add sweetness and contribute to the cookie's texture and caramel notes.

• Dark Chocolate Chips: Enhance the chocolate intensity with melty chocolate pockets.
• Dried Cherries: Offer a tangy burst of fruity flavor that complements the chocolate.

• Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and provides structure to the cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the overall flavor profile.

• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread during baking.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate, sweet finish to the warm cookies.

How To Bake Chocolate Cherry Cookies With Ease

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, creating the perfect cozy spot for your cookies to bake.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until they blend into a smooth, chocolatey powder with no lumps.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, whip butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a cloud of sweet deliciousness.

Step 4: Add Moisture

Crack in the egg and splash of vanilla extract, then blend until the mixture becomes silky smooth and completely combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a rich chocolate dough forms that looks like a dream.

Step 6: Sprinkle in Goodies

Tenderly mix in dark chocolate chips and dried cherries, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 7: Shape the Cookies

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for slightly crisp edges and soft centers that promise a delectable bite.

Step 9: Initial Cooling

Pull the cookies out and let them rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, allowing them to settle and firm up slightly.

Step 10: Final Touch

Transfer cookies to a wire rack and dust with a light snowfall of powdered sugar while they’re still warm.

Step 11: Complete Cooling

Give the cookies time to cool completely, which helps them develop a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s absolutely irresistible.

Tips To Make Chocolate Cherry Cookies Extra Special

• Boost Chocolate Flavor: Add a tablespoon of espresso powder to intensify the rich chocolate taste without changing the cookie's texture.
• Perfect Cherry Distribution: Chop dried cherries into smaller pieces to ensure even spread and prevent large chunks in each bite.
• Prevent Spreading: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter for a plant-based version that keeps the same delicious flavor profile.
• Storage Hack: Store cookies between parchment paper layers in an airtight container to maintain softness and prevent sticking for up to 5 days.

Tasty Variations For Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Cherry Chocolate Chip Chunk Cookies: Replace dark chocolate chips with large chocolate chunks for a more rustic, indulgent texture and enhanced chocolate experience.
• Nutty Cherry Chocolate Cookies: Mix in chopped almonds or pecans to add crunch and depth to the existing flavor profile, creating a more complex cookie.
• Espresso Cherry Chocolate Cookies: Incorporate 1-2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder into the dry ingredients to intensify the chocolate flavor and provide a subtle coffee undertone.
• White Chocolate Cherry Cookies: Swap dark chocolate chips for white chocolate chips to create a lighter, sweeter version of the original recipe with a creamy contrast to the tart cherries.

Great Pairings For Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Pair Dessert Wines: Select sweet Italian Vin Santo or Portuguese Port to complement the rich chocolate and cherry flavors, enhancing the cookies' deep, complex taste profile.
• Match Beverage Contrast: Brew a strong, bold espresso that cuts through the sweetness, creating a delightful balance between the intense coffee and the cookie's fruity undertones.
• Elevate Dessert Experience: Serve alongside vanilla bean gelato, allowing the creamy, smooth texture to mingle with the cookies' crisp edges and chewy dried cherries.
• Enhance Flavor Combination: Create a tasting plate with dark chocolate truffles and fresh cherries, mirroring the recipe's key ingredients and amplifying the overall dessert experience.

Keeping Chocolate Cherry Cookies Fresh And Chewy

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking, keeping them fresh for 5-7 days at room temperature.
• Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or sealed plastic bag, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze up to 3 months for long-term preservation.
• Keep cookies in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources, maintaining their crisp texture and rich chocolate flavor for optimal enjoyment.
• Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to help maintain cookie softness and prevent them from becoming too dry or crumbly.

Quick Answers About Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• What makes the chocolate cherry cookie dough easy to work with?

The dough is well-balanced with creamed butter and sugar, creating a smooth texture that allows easy scooping and shaping without being too sticky or dry.

• Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried cherries?

No, fresh cherries contain too much moisture and will make the cookie dough wet. Dried cherries provide concentrated flavor and the right texture for these cookies.

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

Look for slightly crisp edges and soft centers. The cookies should appear set but not completely firm when you remove them from the oven, as they will continue to set while cooling.

• Is it necessary to sift the dry ingredients?

Yes, sifting helps break up any lumps in flour and cocoa powder, ensuring a more uniform and smooth cookie texture with even ingredient distribution.

Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

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

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Description

Indulgent chocolate cherry cookies bring sweet harmony between rich cocoa and tangy fruit, creating a delightful dessert sensation. Crisp edges, chewy centers, and bursts of cherry flavor make these treats irresistible for anyone craving a delectable chocolate experience.

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Ingredients

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main ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

wet ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk

additional ingredients:

• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
3. Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a separate large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
4. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing until completely combined and smooth.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until a consistent chocolate dough forms.
6. Gently fold in dark chocolate chips and dried cherries, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
7. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges appear slightly crisp and centers look set but still soft.
9. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes.
10. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and dust with powdered sugar while still warm.
11. Allow cookies to cool completely before serving, which will help them firm up and develop a richer texture.

Notes

• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth creaming and better cookie texture.
• Use high-quality dark chocolate chips and dried cherries for intense, rich flavor profile.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend, maintaining same measurement.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg