If you love homemade chocolate chip cookies but want something a little more special, these Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect treat. They combine soft, chewy cookie centers, sweet chocolate chips, and juicy bursts of cherry flavor in every bite. With slightly crisp edges and a rich buttery dough, these cookies are irresistible straight from the oven.
PrintCherry Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft, Chewy & Easy
Make these Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with sweet cherries, rich chocolate chips, and soft, chewy centers. An easy homemade cookie recipe perfect for sharing!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup(115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup(150 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup(50 g) granulated sugar
- 1large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoonvanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups(220 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoonbaking soda
- 1/2 teaspoonsalt
- 1 tablespooncornstarch
- 3/4 cup(130 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup(75 g) maraschino cherries, drained, patted dry, and chopped
- 1/4 teaspoonalmond extract (optional)
- Extra chocolate chips for topping
Instructions
Prepare the Cookie Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and creamy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft cookie dough forms.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped cherries.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
Shape and Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and roll into balls.
- Arrange the dough balls on the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them.
- Press a few extra chocolate chips onto the tops for a bakery-style appearance.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.
The combination of cherries and chocolate creates a delicious balance of fruity sweetness and deep chocolate flavor. Whether you use fresh cherries during the summer or dried cherries throughout the year, these cookies are a wonderful addition to your homemade dessert collection.
They’re easy to prepare, require simple ingredients, and are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Why You’ll Love These Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Sweet cherry and chocolate combination:Juicy cherries and rich chocolate chips create a delicious contrast of flavors.
- Soft and chewy texture:These cookies have tender centers with lightly golden, slightly crisp edges.
- Easy homemade recipe:You don’t need complicated ingredients or special baking techniques.
- Perfect for any occasion:Serve them at birthday parties, holiday gatherings, bake sales, or family get-togethers.
- Customizable:Use dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate chips depending on your preference.
- Beautiful appearance:The colorful cherry pieces and melted chocolate make every cookie look delicious.
- Great for make-ahead baking:Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
What Makes This Recipe Special?
The secret to these cookies is the combination of buttery cookie dough, cherries, and chocolate. Each ingredient contributes something special to the final texture and flavor.
Buttery Cookie Dough
A combination of softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar creates a rich dough with a soft, chewy center. Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel-like flavor, while granulated sugar helps the edges become lightly crisp.
Sweet Cherry Pieces
Cherries bring a fruity sweetness and a little tartness that balances the richness of the chocolate. Fresh, dried, or well-drained maraschino cherries can be used depending on the flavor and texture you prefer.
Rich Chocolate Chips
Semi-sweet chocolate chips provide a classic chocolate flavor without making the cookies overly sweet. You can also use dark chocolate chunks for richer, melted chocolate pockets.
Vanilla and a Touch of Salt
Vanilla enhances the buttery flavor, while a little salt balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate and cherry flavors.
Helpful Tips for the Best Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Remove excess moisture from fresh cherries:Wash, pit, chop, and thoroughly pat them dry before adding them to the dough.
- Use room-temperature butter:Softened butter combines more easily with the sugars and creates a smooth cookie dough.
- Avoid overmixing:Once the flour is added, mix only until the ingredients are combined to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill the dough:Refrigerating the dough for 30–60 minutes helps prevent excessive spreading and develops a richer flavor.
- Choose good-quality chocolate:Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate work especially well.
- Don’t overbake:Remove the cookies when the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue setting as they cool.
- Save some chocolate chips:Press a few extra chocolate chips and cherry pieces onto the dough balls before baking for a beautiful bakery-style appearance.
When to Serve Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are delicious throughout the year and especially wonderful when fresh cherries are in season.
Serve them for:
- Afternoon snacks with coffee, tea, or milk.
- Birthday parties and family celebrations.
- Holiday cookie platters.
- Bake sales and school events.
- Valentine’s Day treats.
- Homemade gifts for friends and family.
- Weekend baking with children.
You can enjoy them slightly warm when the chocolate is still melted, or let them cool completely for a soft, chewy cookie that’s easy to store and share.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookiesare a delicious twist on a classic favorite. With sweet cherries, rich chocolate, and a soft buttery texture, they’re the kind of homemade cookies that disappear quickly from the cookie jar.
Ingredients
This recipe makes approximately18–20 cookies, depending on the size of the dough balls.
For the Cookie Dough
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Cherry and Chocolate Filling
- ¾ cup fresh cherries, pitted and finely chopped
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
For Topping
- 2 tablespoons extra chocolate chips
- A few small pieces of chopped cherries
- Flaky sea salt (optional)
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Fresh Cherries:Use ripe, firm cherries for the best fruity flavor. Remove the pits, chop them into small pieces, and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can make the cookie dough too wet.
Chocolate Chips:Semi-sweet chocolate chips provide a balanced chocolate flavor. Dark chocolate chunks or milk chocolate chips are also delicious alternatives.
Brown Sugar:Brown sugar helps create soft, chewy cookies with a subtle caramel flavor. Light or dark brown sugar can be used.
Unsalted Butter:Softened butter gives the cookies their rich flavor and tender texture. If using salted butter, slightly reduce the added salt.
Cornstarch:A small amount helps create a softer, more tender cookie center.
White Chocolate Chips:These are optional but add extra sweetness and pair beautifully with cherries.
Cherry Alternatives:If fresh cherries are unavailable, use dried cherries or well-drained maraschino cherries. Pat them dry before chopping and adding them to the dough.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Kitchen scale (optional)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Wire cooling rack
- Knife and cutting board
Before You Begin
- Remove the butter and egg from the refrigerator to bring them to room temperature.
- Wash, pit, and finely chop the fresh cherries.
- Pat the chopped cherries thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- Measure the flour carefully to avoid adding too much.
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make sure the chocolate chips and other ingredients are ready before mixing the dough.
Helpful Tip:Fresh cherries contain more moisture than dried fruit, so drying them thoroughly is especially important. This helps prevent the cookies from becoming too soft or spreading excessively during baking.
Preparation and Baking Time
- Prep Time:15 minutes
- Chilling Time:30–60 minutes
- Bake Time:10–12 minutes per batch
- Total Time:Approximately 1 hour
- Servings:18–20 cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch.
Mix until evenly combined, then set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer.
Mix for approximately 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes light, creamy, and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat again until smooth and fully incorporated.
Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture.
Mix on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the cookies dense or tough.
The dough should be soft and slightly thick.
Add the Cherries and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold the chopped cherries, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and optional white chocolate chips into the cookie dough using a rubber spatula.
Make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed without crushing the cherries.
Reserve a few chocolate chips and cherry pieces for decorating the tops of the cookies.
Chill the Cookie Dough
Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30–60 minutes.
Chilling helps the butter firm up, prevents excessive spreading, and allows the flavors to develop.
Shape the Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop approximately 1½ tablespoons of dough for each cookie and roll gently into balls.
Arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow room for spreading.
Press a few reserved chocolate chips and cherry pieces onto the top of each dough ball.
Bake the Cookies
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.
Avoid overbaking. The cookies will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
If baking in batches, keep the remaining dough refrigerated between batches.
Cool and Serve
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to rest for approximately 5 minutes.
Transfer them carefully to a wire cooling rack and let them cool completely.
For an extra bakery-style finish, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the cookies while they are still warm.
Serve slightly warm for soft centers and delicious melted chocolate.
Helpful Tips for Success
- Dry the cherries thoroughly:Excess moisture can change the texture of the dough and make the cookies spread unevenly.
- Chill the dough:Don’t skip this step, especially when using fresh cherries.
- Avoid overmixing:Once the flour is added, mix only until combined.
- Keep the cookies evenly sized:This helps them bake at the same rate.
- Don’t overbake:Slightly soft centers create a wonderfully chewy texture.
- Leave enough space:Arrange the dough balls with enough room to spread.
- Add toppings before baking:Extra chocolate chips and cherry pieces make the cookies look more attractive.
Baking Tip:If your cherries release too much moisture while mixing, gently blot the dough’s surface with a paper towel rather than adding extra flour immediately. This helps preserve the intended soft and chewy texture.
Serving Suggestions
These Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are delicious on their own, but you can make them even more special with a few simple serving ideas.
- Cold Milk:Serve warm cookies with a glass of cold milk for a classic combination.
- Vanilla Ice Cream:Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies to make delicious homemade ice cream sandwiches.
- Hot Chocolate:Enjoy them with a cup of hot chocolate for a cozy afternoon treat.
- Coffee or Tea:Pair them with your favorite coffee or tea for a satisfying snack.
- Chocolate Drizzle:Add a little melted dark or white chocolate over the cooled cookies for an elegant finish.
- Fresh Cherries:Serve with fresh cherries on the side for an extra fruity touch.
- Dessert Platter:Arrange the cookies with brownies, chocolate truffles, and other homemade treats for a beautiful dessert spread.
For a bakery-style presentation, place the cookies on a serving plate while slightly warm, allowing the chocolate chips to remain soft and delicious.
Storage Instructions
Room Temperature:Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place.
Refrigerator:Because these cookies contain fresh fruit, refrigerate them in an airtight container and enjoy within 5 days for the best quality.
Freezing Baked Cookies:Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Freezing Cookie Dough:Scoop the dough into individual balls and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Store for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding approximately 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
Make-Ahead Tip:Prepare the cookie dough a day in advance and refrigerate it overnight. Allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes if it becomes too firm to scoop.
Variations and Substitutions
- Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies:Replace semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate chunks for a richer, less sweet flavor.
- White Chocolate Cherry Cookies:Use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate for a sweeter, creamier combination.
- Dried Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies:Replace fresh cherries with dried cherries to create a chewier texture and reduce excess moisture.
- Almond Cherry Cookies:Add ½ teaspoon almond extract for a delicious cherry-almond flavor combination.
- Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies:Add ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the dough and adjust the flour slightly to create a chocolate cookie base.
- Cherry Walnut Cookies:Fold in ¼ cup chopped walnuts for extra crunch.
- Gluten-Free Cherry Cookies:Use a good-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Mini Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies:Make smaller dough balls and reduce the baking time slightly, checking frequently.
- Maraschino Cherry Cookies:Use chopped, thoroughly drained maraschino cherries for a sweeter, bakery-style variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh cherries?
Yes! Thaw the frozen cherries completely, drain any excess liquid, chop them into small pieces, and pat them thoroughly dry before adding them to the dough.
Why are my Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies spreading too much?
This can happen if the butter is too soft, the dough is not chilled, or the cherries contain too much moisture. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes and make sure the cherries are well dried.
Can I use dried cherries?
Absolutely! Dried cherries are an excellent alternative because they contain less moisture and provide a concentrated fruity flavor. Use approximately ¾ cup.
How do I keep the cookies soft and chewy?
Avoid overbaking them. Remove the cookies when the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft. Store them in an airtight container once completely cooled.
Can I prepare the cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can refrigerate the prepared dough for up to 24 hours. Keep it covered and scoop the cookies when you’re ready to bake.
Can I freeze Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Yes. Both baked cookies and unbaked cookie dough freeze well for up to 2 months. Store them in airtight freezer-safe containers to protect their flavor and texture.
What chocolate works best with cherries?
Semi-sweet chocolate is a wonderful choice because it balances the sweetness of the cherries. Dark chocolate creates a richer flavor, while white chocolate offers a sweeter contrast.
How can I make the cookies look like bakery-style cookies?
Reserve a few chocolate chips and cherry pieces and gently press them onto the tops of the dough balls before baking. You can also add a little flaky sea salt after baking.
Final Thoughts
These Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delicious twist on traditional chocolate chip cookies. With their soft, chewy centers, sweet cherry pieces, and rich chocolate chips, they offer a wonderful combination of fruity and chocolatey flavors.
They’re easy to prepare, perfect for sharing, and versatile enough to customize with your favorite chocolate and nuts.
Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, preparing homemade gifts, or simply craving something sweet, these cookies are sure to become a favorite. Serve them slightly warm with a glass of milk and enjoy every delicious bite!