There’s something magical that happens when rich chocolate meets the sweet-tart punch of cherries. I’ve been perfecting these chocolate cherry cookies for years, and I’m thrilled to finally share my secret recipe with you. These cookies strike the perfect balance between decadent chocolate depth and bright cherry flavor, creating a treat that’s both nostalgic and surprisingly sophisticated. The contrast of textures—slightly crisp edges giving way to a chewy center dotted with melty chocolate chips and juicy cherry pieces—makes these cookies truly unforgettable. Stay with me to discover how these chocolate cherry cookies can become your new favorite treat to bake and share (if they make it that far!).
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
Have you ever bitten into a chocolate cookie and thought, “This needs something more”? That’s exactly the problem these chocolate cherry cookies solve. The addition of cherries elevates an ordinary chocolate cookie into something extraordinary, providing bursts of tangy sweetness throughout each bite.
I remember the first time I served these chocolate cherry cookies at a family gathering. My uncle, who claimed to dislike cherries in desserts, reluctantly tried one to be polite. Three cookies later, he was asking for the recipe! That’s the magic of these cookies—they convert even the skeptics.
What makes these chocolate cherry cookies truly special is their versatility. You can make them with fresh cherries in summer, frozen cherries year-round, or even high-quality dried cherries when you want a more concentrated flavor. They’re perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, afterschool treats, or packaging up as heartfelt gifts.
Now, let’s dive into exactly what you’ll need to create these irresistible chocolate cherry cookies in your own kitchen.
Ingredients for Perfect Chocolate Cherry Cookies
The Foundation Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of our chocolate cherry cookies, providing structure. For a softer texture, you could substitute cake flour, but I find all-purpose gives the perfect balance of chew and tenderness.
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: This provides our deep chocolate base. Use Dutch-processed cocoa for a richer, smoother chocolate flavor in your chocolate cherry cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This leavening agent helps our chocolate cherry cookies rise properly and develop that perfect texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Salt enhances all the flavors in these chocolate cherry cookies, especially the chocolate. Don’t skip it!
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Butter provides richness and helps create that perfect cookie texture. Room temperature is crucial for proper creaming.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: This sweetens our chocolate cherry cookies while helping to create crisp edges.
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed: Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that complements the chocolate cherry combination beautifully.
- 1 large egg: This binds our chocolate cherry cookies together and adds richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla enhances the chocolate flavor and adds aromatic depth.
The Star Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and chopped: The fresh cherries add juicy bursts of flavor throughout the chocolate cherry cookies. In winter, you can substitute frozen cherries (thawed and drained) or ¾ cup dried cherries soaked in 2 tablespoons of hot water.
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: These melt perfectly into pockets of chocolate goodness. For a more sophisticated chocolate cherry cookie, try dark chocolate chunks instead.
- Optional: ½ teaspoon almond extract: This amplifies the cherry flavor in these chocolate cherry cookies, creating a more complex taste profile.
For Dairy-Free or Vegan Adaptation
- Replace butter with plant-based butter sticks (not spreadable tub varieties)
- Substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 15 minutes)
- Ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free (many dark chocolate varieties are)
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Cherries and Dry Ingredients
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- If using fresh cherries for your chocolate cherry cookies, pit and chop them into small pieces (about the size of chocolate chips). Place them on paper towels to absorb excess moisture while you prepare the dough.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This even distribution ensures your chocolate cherry cookies will have consistent flavor and texture.
Step 2: Create Your Cookie Dough Base
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the color lightens and the texture becomes airy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Beat until fully incorporated and the mixture looks smooth and glossy.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Over-mixing can make your chocolate cherry cookies tough, so stop when you no longer see dry streaks.
Step 3: Add the Star Ingredients
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula. The dough will be fairly thick at this point.
- Pat the cherry pieces with a paper towel one final time to remove excess moisture, then gently fold them into the dough. The moisture from the cherries will slightly tint the surrounding dough pink, creating beautiful marbling in your chocolate cherry cookies.
Step 4: Form and Bake
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake your chocolate cherry cookies for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone. This ensures your chocolate cherry cookies will have that perfect chewy center.
- You’ll know they’re done when the edges look dry and the centers have puffed up but still look slightly soft.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes (they’ll continue cooking slightly from residual heat), then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Variations on Chocolate Cherry Cookies
White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Replace the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips for a striking visual contrast and a creamier flavor profile that beautifully complements the tartness of the cherries.
Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Orange Zest
Use dark chocolate chunks (70% cocoa or higher) and add 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the dough. This sophisticated twist on chocolate cherry cookies brings in citrus notes that enhance both the chocolate and cherry flavors.
Spiced Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and a dash of nutmeg to your chocolate cherry cookies. These warming spices create a Mexican hot chocolate-inspired flavor that pairs surprisingly well with the cherries.
Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Drizzle cooled chocolate cherry cookies with a simple glaze made from ½ cup powdered sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon of cherry juice or kirsch (cherry liqueur) for an elegant dessert-inspired treat.
Chocolate Cherry Almond Cookies
Add ½ cup of chopped toasted almonds to your chocolate cherry cookies for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements both the chocolate and cherry components.
Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder Dutch-processed preferred
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Star Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cherries pitted and chopped (or frozen/dried alternatives)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: ½ teaspoon almond extract
Dairy-Free/Vegan Adaptations
- Use plant-based butter
- Substitute flax egg 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, let sit 15 min
- Ensure chocolate chips are dairy-free
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep Cherries: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment. Pit and chop cherries, then pat dry.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using), and mix until smooth.
- Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid over-mixing.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in chocolate chips, followed by chopped cherries.
- Form Cookies: Drop dough onto baking sheets using a scoop, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.
- Bake & Cool: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers are slightly soft. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, use Dutch-processed cocoa.
- For juicier cookies, use fresh cherries. For a more intense cherry flavor, use dried cherries.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions about Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Can I make these chocolate cherry cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough for these chocolate cherry cookies can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated. You can also freeze portioned dough balls for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, you can bake them directly from frozen, just add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
How should I store these chocolate cherry cookies?
Store your chocolate cherry cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a piece of bread in the container to help keep them soft. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
Can I use maraschino cherries instead of fresh cherries?
Yes, you can use maraschino cherries in these chocolate cherry cookies, but they’ll create a sweeter, more candy-like flavor. Be sure to drain them very well, pat them dry, and reduce the sugar in the recipe by 2 tablespoons to compensate for their sweetness.
Why did my chocolate cherry cookies spread too much?
If your chocolate cherry cookies spread too much, your butter might have been too warm or you might need more flour. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent excessive spreading.
Can I make these chocolate cherry cookies gluten-free?
Yes! You can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Look for one that contains xanthan gum for best results in your chocolate cherry cookies.
How do I know when my chocolate cherry cookies are perfectly baked?
The perfect chocolate cherry cookie will have set edges but still look slightly underdone in the center when you remove it from the oven. It will continue to set as it cools. If you wait until the entire cookie looks completely done, it might end up too crisp once cooled.
A Sweet Ending
Every time I make these chocolate cherry cookies, I’m transported back to summer afternoons in my grandmother’s kitchen, where she would let me pit cherries (and eat quite a few in the process). There’s something about the combination of rich chocolate and bright cherries that bridges generations and brings people together.
What I love most about these chocolate cherry cookies is how they balance tradition with a touch of the unexpected. They’re familiar enough to provide comfort, yet interesting enough to spark conversation. Each bite tells a story of balanced flavors, thoughtful preparation, and the joy of sharing something handmade.
I hope these chocolate cherry cookies find their way into your recipe collection and your heart. Make them your own—perhaps add a special spice or swap in your favorite chocolate variety. Food is at its most meaningful when it carries our personal touch, and these cookies are the perfect canvas for your culinary creativity.
May your kitchen be filled with the intoxicating aroma of chocolate and the sweet-tart essence of cherries as you bake these special treats for the people you love.