Chocolate and cherry – a match made in dessert heaven. These two flavors complement each other perfectly, and when combined in a cookie, they create a symphony of taste that will leave you wanting more. This recipe for chocolate cherry cookies is easy to follow, even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen. So, preheat your ovens and get ready to bake up a batch of pure delight!

Table of Contents

A Bite of History (and a Whole Lot of Flavor)

Did you know that the combination of chocolate and cherry has been a beloved treat for centuries? Some say it dates back to ancient Rome, where cherries were often enjoyed with a sprinkle of dark spices, similar to the flavors we associate with chocolate today. The modern chocolate cherry pairing, as we know it, gained popularity in the early 20th century and has been a classic ever since.

Gather Your Ingredients

For the Cookies:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped dark chocolate (or semi-sweet chocolate chips)
1 cup dried cherries

Optional Ingredients:

1 teaspoon almond extract (for an extra layer of flavor)
1/4 cup white chocolate chips (for drizzling on top)

Tools You’ll Need

Baking sheets
Parchment paper
Measuring cups and spoons
Mixing bowls
Electric mixer
Spatula or wooden spoon
Wire rack (for cooling)

Let’s Get Baking

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Together: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. If you’re using almond extract, add it now for an extra burst of flavor.
Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Chocolate and Cherries: Gently fold in the chopped chocolate and dried cherries. You can use chocolate chips if you prefer, but chopped chocolate creates beautiful, melty pockets throughout the cookies.
Scoop and Bake: Drop the cookie dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave some space between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are slightly cracked.
Cooling Time: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Cookie Perfection

Room Temperature Ingredients: Using softened butter and room-temperature eggs will help create a smoother, more evenly baked cookie.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
Chilling Out: If you have time, chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking. This will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
Storage: Store your chocolate cherry cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

FAQs

Q: Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried cherries?
A: While fresh cherries sound delicious, they contain a lot of moisture, which can make the cookies soggy. Dried cherries are the way to go for this recipe!

Q: I don’t have cocoa powder. Can I use melted chocolate instead?
A: Melted chocolate won’t give you the same texture as cocoa powder. For best results, stick to the recipe as written.

Serving Up Your Masterpiece

These chocolate cherry cookies are delightful on their own, but you can elevate them even further:

A Glass of Milk: The classic pairing for a reason!
Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream between two chocolate cherry cookies creates a decadent ice cream sandwich.
Coffee or Tea: These cookies are the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Share the Joy!

There you have it – a simple yet irresistible recipe for chocolate cherry cookies. Now that you’re a baking pro, don’t forget to share your delicious creations with friends and family!

We’d love to see your baking triumphs! Share photos of your cookies on social media and tag us. Happy baking!

Article by Family Cuisine

We are the food lovers, the taste testers, the kitchen experimenters who make up the familycuisine.net team. We're chefs, home cooks, and culinary enthusiasts who have come together to share our passion for food with you. With the help of AI, we're able to bring you the most delicious, reliable, and exciting content from around the world.