Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies Recipe

If you are the kind of person who dreams in dessert form, these Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies are your new must-bake treat. Imagine a cookie that’s deeply chocolatey, chewy but tender, with pops of tart-sweet cherries in every bite. It’s an irresistible combination designed for those who fall head over heels for the duo of chocolate and cherries. Whether you’re whipping up a batch to cure your own cravings or to delight a table full of friends, these cookies just might become your signature sweet.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every component in these cookies brings something special to the party, from the richness of cocoa to the tart sparkle of cherries. Grab these easy-to-find ingredients and let each one take your Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies to new heights of decadence and texture.

• All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect sturdy base, ensuring your cookies bake up with just the right amount of chew.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers deep, rich chocolate flavor and gives the cookies their gorgeous dark color.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and stay soft, preventing them from becoming dense.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and amps up the chocolate notes.
• Unsalted butter, softened: Adds wonderful richness and makes for a tender crumb.
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps develop those crisp cookie edges.
• Brown sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle caramel flavor, making the cookies delightfully chewy.
• Large egg: Acts as the binder and gives structure to your cookies.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances all the chocolate and cherry flavors, adding warm undertones.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Ensures extra bursts of melty chocolate in every bite.
• Dried cherries (or chopped maraschino cherries, well-drained): Offer brightness and a chewy, fruity counterpoint to all the chocolate goodness.

How to Make Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to make clean-up a breeze. This step ensures your Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies bake evenly and release perfectly every time.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This blends the cocoa evenly into the flour and ensures those leavening agents are distributed, setting the stage for cookies that rise just the right amount with a consistent chocolate color throughout.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with both the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This mechanical action traps air, making for cookies that are pillowy and soft—you’ll notice the mixture getting paler and creamier as you go.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat just until the mixture is smooth and glossy. These wet ingredients bind everything together and infuse the dough with flavor that complements both the chocolate and the cherries.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until everything is just combined. Resist the urge to overmix; stir until there are no streaks of flour left, so you end up with tender cookies instead of tough ones.

Step 6: Fold in the Stars — Chocolate Chips and Cherries

With a spatula, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and dried cherries (or maraschino cherries, if using). This is where the magic happens—the dough transforms into a treasure trove of goodies about to become epic Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies.

Step 7: Portion and Bake

Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, scoop out rounds of dough and place them at least 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are set and the centers still look a bit soft. That’s your cue for the ultimate chewy texture.

Step 8: Cool and Indulge

Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes (they finish setting up), then gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, your Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies are ready to stack, share, or sneak for a midnight snack.

How to Serve Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies

Garnishes

Take these cookies over the top by drizzling them with melted white chocolate or dusting with a pinch of powdered sugar just before serving. A few extra chocolate chips or cherry halves pressed into the tops while they’re still warm add an inviting, bakery-style look.

Side Dishes

The best companions for Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies are those that let their flavors shine. Think tall glasses of cold milk, creamy vanilla ice cream, or even a dark roasted coffee to contrast the sweetness and enhance the chocolatey richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a stunning dessert platter, layer cookies alternately with fresh cherries and chocolate shavings on a rustic wooden board. Or, package a handful in clear cellophane, tie with ribbon, and give as a heartfelt homemade gift—because who doesn’t love cookies from the heart?

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a slice of bread in the container to help keep the cookies soft and chewy, just like the day they were baked.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze the cookies in single layers separated by parchment paper in an airtight container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months—simply thaw at room temperature before serving for treats on demand.

Reheating

If you love warm cookies, microwave individual Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies for about 10 seconds, or pop them in a 300°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes. This revives the gooey chocolate and brings the magic right back.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried or maraschino?

Fresh cherries are delicious, but they contain more moisture and could make your cookies soggy. For best results, stick with dried or well-drained maraschino cherries in your Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies.

How do I make my cookies extra thick and chewy?

Try chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This gives the flour time to hydrate and helps prevent spreading, resulting in delightfully thick and chewy cookies.

Are these cookies suitable for freezing before baking?

Absolutely! Scoop dough portions onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. Bake from frozen, just adding an extra minute or two to the baking time for fresh-from-the-oven Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies anytime.

Can I substitute chocolate chunks for chips?

Yes, chopped chocolate bars or chunks melt into delicious pockets throughout the cookies, giving every bite a bit of melty, decadent goodness—just be prepared for a little extra indulgence!

What’s the best way to prevent cookies from becoming dry?

Don’t overbake—the centers should still look slightly soft when you pull the cookies from the oven. Also, be sure to store them in an airtight container to lock in moisture and keep your Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies irresistibly tender.

Final Thoughts

If ever a cookie could win hearts and spark new dessert obsessions, it’s these Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies. Every bite is a celebration of chocolate, cherries, and homemade joy. I hope you’ll bake a batch soon and fall in love with them just like I have—happy baking, and even happier snacking!

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