Chocolate and cherry – a classic pairing that evokes feelings of romance and indulgence. Now, imagine that irresistible duo transformed into a cookie! That’s right, we’re about to embark on a baking adventure to create chocolate-covered cherry cookies that are as delightful to make as they are to devour. These treats are perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings, sharing with loved ones, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea on a cozy afternoon.
So, tie on your aprons, preheat those ovens, and let’s get baking!
Gathering Your Ingredients: A Symphony of Flavors
Before we dive into the baking process, let’s gather our delicious ingredients. This recipe calls for a mix of pantry staples and a few special ingredients that bring the magic of chocolate-covered cherries to life.
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
For the Cherry Filling:
- 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Chocolate Coating:
- 12 ounces milk chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
Tools of the Trade: Equipping Your Kitchen
Baking is always more enjoyable with the right tools at hand. Here’s what you’ll need to make our chocolate-covered cherry cookies:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
- Small saucepan
- Rubber spatula
- Melting pot or double boiler
The Baking Journey: From Dough to Deliciousness
Now comes the fun part – transforming our ingredients into delectable cookies! Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to cookie heaven:
1. Preparing the Cherry Filling: A Burst of Flavor
- In a small saucepan, combine the drained cherries, sugar, and cornstarch.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the cherries release their juices. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.
2. Crafting the Cookie Dough: A Chocolatey Base
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the milk chocolate chips and white chocolate chips.
3. Assembling the Cookies: A Touch of Sweetness
- Scoop heaping tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, create a well in the center of each cookie.
- Spoon a generous amount of the cooled cherry filling into each well.
