If you are searching for a delightful sweet treat that combines the luscious flavors of cherries and chocolate in every bite, this Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies boast a perfect balance of chewy texture and rich taste, with bursts of cherry sweetness intertwined with melty chocolate chips. Whether you want to whip up a batch for a cozy night in or share with friends at your next gathering, this recipe will quickly become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating cookies that are tender, flavorful, and perfectly studded with cherries and chocolate.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides a creamy richness that forms the cookie’s tender base.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve a slight crisp on the edges.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and moisture for a chewy texture.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and boost the cookie’s softness.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic sweetness.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone providing structure to the cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and spread evenly.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the flavors.
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped: Bursts of juicy cherry flavor and vibrant color.
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips: Melty pockets of richness that pair beautifully with cherries.
How to Make Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This simple step ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the sheets beautifully.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars. Beat them together until fluffy and light—this process traps air that will give your cookies a fantastic texture. The brown sugar also adds that subtle chewiness that makes these cookies irresistible.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract. These ingredients create a smooth, flavorful batter ready to take on the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning throughout your cookies.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, so it’s important to stop as soon as the batter looks uniform.
Step 6: Fold in Cherries and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and semisweet chocolate chips. These additions are what truly make the Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats Recipe special, adding pops of sweetness and melty richness in every bite.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them so they have room to spread. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a lovely golden brown. The centers will remain soft, giving you that perfect chewy texture.
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
After baking, let your cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes. This resting time helps them set up so they don’t fall apart when transferred to wire racks to cool completely. Once they’ve cooled, they’re ready to be devoured!
How to Serve Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch, dust your cookies lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle a bit of melted white chocolate on top. These simple garnishes brighten the look and add a subtle contrast in flavor.
Side Dishes
Pair your Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. The creamy beverages complement the cookie’s rich texture perfectly and make snack time feel even more indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the cookies on a decorative platter with fresh cherries for a stunning presentation. You can also sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a decadent dessert everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days—perfect if you want a sweet snack ready anytime.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies in advance, drop the raw cookie dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, just adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
Warm up your cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to revive their softness and melty chocolate centers. Be cautious not to overheat or they may dry out.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino?
Absolutely! Fresh cherries work wonderfully in this recipe, but you may want to pit and chop them finely, and reduce other liquid ingredients slightly to maintain the cookie’s texture.
How do I make these cookies gluten-free?
Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture. You might need to adjust the amount slightly.
Can I add nuts to the Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats Recipe?
Yes! Chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch and pair beautifully with cherries and chocolate. Add about 1/2 cup folded in with the cherries and chocolate chips.
What if my cookies spread too much while baking?
Your dough may be too warm or have too much butter. Chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking to reduce spreading and help the cookies hold their shape.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
To veganize this recipe, use dairy-free butter, a flax or chia egg substitute, and vegan chocolate chips. The flavor may vary slightly but will still be delicious!
Final Thoughts
You really cannot go wrong with the Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats Recipe. It’s such a joyful blend of homemade comfort and festive flavors that bring warmth to any occasion. Once you make these, you’ll find yourself reaching for cherries and chocolate more often, just to recreate this little slice of happiness in cookie form. Give it a try—you’ll thank yourself later!
Print
Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Cherry Chocolate Cookies Treats, a perfect blend of sweet cherries and rich chocolate chips baked into soft, chewy cookies. Ideal for dessert or a sweet snack, these cookies offer a delightful balance of flavors and textures that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture. Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt throughout the flour.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
- Fold in cherries and chocolate chips: Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and semisweet chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Form cookies: Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look set but still soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for several minutes to firm up before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter to ensure proper creaming with sugars.
- Drain maraschino cherries well to prevent excess moisture from affecting the cookie texture.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies tender and soft.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
