If you’re craving something delightful that combines a burst of fruity sweetness with rich chocolatey goodness, you have to try this Cherry Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe. These cookies are a beautiful marriage of tender dough, juicy cherries, and melty chocolate chips that create a flavor and texture experience you won’t forget. They’re surprisingly simple to make, yet impressive enough to share with friends, family, or to savor all on your own during a cozy afternoon treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Cherry Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe uses straightforward, everyday ingredients that come together in a harmonious way. Each item plays an essential role, whether it’s providing moisture, structure, sweetness, or that lovely pop of tart cherry and smooth chocolate in every bite.
- Frozen cherries (⅔ cup): Thawing them just right adds juicy bursts of real cherry flavor without overpowering the dough.
- Cold unsalted butter (⅔ cup, sliced into cubes): Keeping the butter cold ensures the cookies stay tender with a perfect crumbly texture.
- Granulated sugar (¾ cup): Adds sweetness and helps create that slightly crisp exterior.
- All-purpose or gluten-free flour (2 cups): The foundation of your cookie; flour provides structure and the perfect soft bite.
- Baking powder (1 tsp): Gives just enough lift so your cookies aren’t flat but delightfully tender.
- Pinch of sea salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness and brightening the cherries.
- Chocolate chips (½ cup): The decadent pockets of melty chocolate you’ll look forward to in every cookie.
How to Make Cherry Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper is a simple trick that ensures your cookies don’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Thaw the Cherries
Place the frozen cherries in the microwave for 45 to 60 seconds until they’re thawed and juicy. This step is crucial as it releases the juicy cherry flavor into the dough, so every bite is bursting with fruitiness.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cold butter cubes and granulated sugar. Beat on high for about 2 minutes until there are no lumps of butter remaining. This mixing method helps create a smooth, creamy base for your cookie dough.
Step 4: Add the Cherries and Juice
Next, add the thawed cherries along with their juice into the butter and sugar mixture. Beat gently to incorporate. The small bits of cherry scattered throughout your dough will give every cookie a little extra surprise of fruity texture and flavor.
Step 5: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Stir in the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of sea salt to your bowl. These ingredients combine to give the cookies their structure while balancing the sweetness and tartness beautifully.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Carefully fold the chocolate chips into your dough. This is the fun part where your cookies start to look irresistibly delicious. Be gentle to keep the delicate cherry pieces from breaking apart too much.
Step 7: Scoop and Space Your Cookies
Using an ice cream scoop, portion out balls of cookie dough onto your lined baking sheet. Make sure to place them at least 2 inches apart so they have room to spread and bake evenly.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 9 to 10 minutes. The goal is to have them just barely set in the middle—this keeps the cookies soft and chewy with that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 9: Cool Before Serving
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack or plate. This resting time lets the cookies firm up just enough to hold their shape.
How to Serve Cherry Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are delicious on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can add a touch of elegance and a hint of extra sweetness that complements the tart cherries beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cup of your favorite hot tea or rich coffee for an afternoon treat. For an indulgent dessert, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the cookie’s fruity and chocolate flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging these cookies on a rustic wooden platter with fresh cherries and small bowls of extra chocolate chips for a festive gathering. Or stack them with parchment paper between layers in a pretty tin for gifting—they’re sure to charm anyone lucky enough to receive them.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Cherry Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them fresh and soft, ready for a quick snack or dessert.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies for longer storage. Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy them warm, reheat the cookies in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. This revives their soft texture and slightly melty chocolate chips, making them taste freshly baked all over again.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh cherries can be pitted and used in the same way, just be sure to gently chop them to distribute evenly in the dough. Frozen cherries add convenience and juiciness, but fresh cherries bring a lovely natural sweetness as well.
Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend of your choice. The texture might be slightly different, but the cookies will still be delicious and perfect for those avoiding gluten.
Why do I need to use cold butter?
Using cold butter prevents the dough from becoming too soft too soon, helping the cookies maintain their shape and giving you a nicer texture that isn’t overly greasy or flat.
Can I replace chocolate chips with another mix-in?
Of course! White chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries make excellent alternatives that pair wonderfully with the tartness of the cherries.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Look for cookies that are just barely set in the middle with edges starting to turn golden. They will firm up while cooling, so avoid overbaking to keep them soft and chewy.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you enjoy making and sharing this Cherry Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe as much as I enjoy baking it. It’s one of those special treats that feels both homemade and indulgent, perfect for brightening up any day. Go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to these delightful cookies—you won’t regret it!
Print
Cherry Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
Delight yourself with these soft and fruity Cherry Cookies, featuring juicy frozen cherries and rich chocolate chips baked to perfection. This easy-to-make treat combines the sweet tanginess of cherries with the comforting texture of buttery cookies, perfect for any occasion or a simple indulgence.
Ingredients
Fruits
- ⅔ cup frozen cherries
Dairy & Fats
- ⅔ cup cold unsalted butter, sliced into cubes
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour or gluten free flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch sea salt
Add-ins
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick while baking.
- Thaw Cherries: Microwave the frozen cherries for 45 to 60 seconds until they are thawed and juicy, which will help distribute their flavor evenly throughout the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the cold butter cubes and granulated sugar, then beat on high for 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth with no butter lumps.
- Add Cherries: Incorporate the thawed cherries along with their juice into the butter and sugar mixture, beating to combine. Small pieces of cherries will remain in the dough for texture and flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking powder, and sea salt into the wet mixture and stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the chocolate chips into the dough to evenly distribute the sweet chunks throughout the cookies.
- Portion Dough: Use an ice cream scoop to drop balls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 9 to 10 minutes, or until they look barely set in the middle to retain a soft and chewy texture.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack or plate to finish cooling.
Notes
- Using frozen cherries adds natural tartness and moisture; ensure to thaw them properly for best texture.
- Cold butter cubes help create a tender, flaky texture in the cookies when creamed well with sugar.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour if preferred.
- Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet to prevent breakage when removing.
- For added flavor, try substituting chocolate chips with white chocolate or chopped nuts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
