Chewy Cherry Chocolate Cookies

This scrumptious cherry chocolate cookie recipe transforms ordinary chocolate chip cookies into something extraordinary with the addition of sweet maraschino cherries. The combination creates a perfect balance of tart fruitiness and rich chocolate in every bite, making these cookies irresistible for both special occasions and everyday treats.

I first made these cookies for my daughter's Valentine's Day party and they were such a hit that they've become our go-to recipe whenever we want something special but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen. The bright red cherries against the chocolate chips make them visually stunning too.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: softened to room temperature allows for proper creaming with sugars creating that perfect cookie texture
• Granulated sugar: provides sweetness and helps create crisp edges
• Brown sugar: adds moisture and chewiness to the cookies plus a subtle caramel flavor
• Large eggs: bind everything together and add structure
• Vanilla extract: enhances all flavors especially complementing the cherries
• All purpose flour: provides the structure use unbleached for best flavor
• Baking soda: ensures proper rise and spread of cookies
• Salt: balances sweetness and enhances flavor even in sweet recipes
• Maraschino cherries: drained and chopped add bright color and sweet tart flavor
• Semisweet chocolate chips: provide rich chocolate flavor look for good quality chips with real cocoa butter

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Station:

Preheat your oven to 350°F ensuring it reaches full temperature before baking. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper which prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier. Take your butter out early so it's properly softened but not melted.

Cream The Fats And Sugars:

In a large bowl combine the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars. Beat for about 3 minutes until the mixture becomes noticeably lighter in color and fluffy in texture. This incorporates air creating a lighter cookie texture.

Add Wet Ingredients:

Beat in the eggs one at a time allowing each to fully incorporate before adding the next. This prevents the mixture from curdling. Stir in the vanilla extract making sure it's evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Incorporate Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour baking soda and salt to ensure even distribution. Gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients folding gently after each addition. Mix just until no dry streaks remain overmixing will develop gluten and create tough cookies.

Add Mix Ins:

Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips. Be careful not to overmix as the cherries can bleed color into the dough which can be pretty but might not be the look you're going for.

Shape And Bake:

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. These will spread during baking. For perfectly uniform cookies use a cookie scoop.

Bake To Perfection:

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Look for golden edges while the centers remain slightly soft. The cookies will continue cooking from residual heat after removed from the oven.

Cool Properly:

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 3 to 5 minutes. This lets them set up enough to transfer without breaking. Then move to wire racks to cool completely.

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The maraschino cherries are truly the star ingredient in this recipe. I discovered their magic in cookies after finding a jar forgotten in the back of my refrigerator after the holidays. My children were skeptical at first but now specifically request these "ruby cookies" whenever we have guests coming over. The bright pops of red make these cookies both beautiful and delicious.

Storage and Freshness

These cherry chocolate cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The moisture from the cherries actually helps them remain chewy longer than traditional chocolate chip cookies. For longer storage freeze baked cookies in a single layer then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. To enjoy simply thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. You can also freeze portioned dough balls and bake straight from frozen adding just 1 to 2 minutes to the baking time.

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Perfect Pairings

These cookies make an excellent companion to a variety of beverages. Serve them alongside a cold glass of milk for classic enjoyment or pair with coffee for an afternoon treat. For a more sophisticated dessert plating serve warm cookies with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream and additional chopped cherries on top. During holiday seasons I arrange these on a platter alternating with plain chocolate chip cookies for a festive red and brown display that always impresses guests.

Cherry Selection Tips

While this recipe calls for maraschino cherries which work perfectly due to their brightness and sweet flavor you can experiment with other cherry varieties. Fresh cherries when in season can be used but need to be pitted and chopped finely. They also contain more moisture so consider reducing the quantity slightly or patting them dry before adding to the dough. Frozen cherries should be thawed and thoroughly drained before chopping. Dried cherries create a different but equally delicious cookie with more concentrated cherry flavor and chewier texture throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Ensure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking if needed.

→ Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Yes, but make sure to pit the cherries and chop them into small pieces. Fresh cherries may add more moisture, so adjust with a bit more flour if necessary.

→ How should I store the cookies to keep them fresh?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage.

→ Can I substitute dark chocolate for semisweet chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Dark chocolate pairs beautifully with cherries and creates a richer flavor.

→ What is the best way to ensure even baking?

Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly and rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking.