Cherry chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy and buttery cookies packed with rich, melty chocolate and sweet cherries in every bite. This chocolate chip cherry cookie recipe is easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and makes the most delicious twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie.
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Why Make This Recipe
There are few things I love more than a soft, chewy and cozy chocolate chip cookie. I have several fun twists on the classic chocolate chip cookie. My Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake and Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are all fun flavor twists on the classic chocolate chip cookie. I am so excited to add this cherry chocolate chip cookie recipe to the blog.
- Layers of flavors and textures. From the soft and chewy vanilla scented cookie to the sweet, gooey and melty chocolate chips and sweet cherries, these chocolate chip cookies with cherries will delight your senses and satisfy your cookie cravings.
- Easy to make, bake and eat. This easy cherry chocolate chip cookie recipe is super easy to make. All you need is mix up the dough (with a mixer or not), then simply chill for a bit, scoop, bake and enjoy.
- You love flavor twists on classic cookies. If you love the taste of chocolate covered cherries, you will adore this cherry twist on classic chocolate chip cookies.
Ingredients and Substitutions
This soft and chewy chocolate chip cherry cookie recipe requires only a handful of simple ingredients to make and you probably already have them in your pantry and fridge. Here’s what you’ll need.
- All Purpose Flour: Make this cookie recipe gluten free by using a good 1-1 gluten free flour. I recommend using the one from Bob’s Red Mill. Measure based off weight (360 g) rather than cup for cup.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda gives the cookies a bit of a rise and also brings chewiness to the cookie. Make sure the baking soda is fresh and in date.
- Granulated Sugar and Light Brown Sugar: Maple sugar would also work well to make these chocolate chip cookies with brown butter refined sugar free.
- Unsalted Butter: Salted, vegan butter or plant based can also be used in place of regular unsalted butter. I personally love Miyokos Plant Butter.
- Eggs: This recipe has not been tested without an eggs. For an eggless chocolate chip cookie, I recommended making my Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.
- Vanilla Extract: This is more for background flavor and nicely enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi sweet chocolate chips are the classic choice for chocolate chip cookies. However, milk chocolate or dark chocolate would also be delicious.
- Cherries: Depending on the type of cherries you use for the chocolate chip cookies, you will need to do a bit of preparation prior to making the cookies. For dried cherries, simply add at the same time as the chocolate chips. For maraschino or fresh cherries, make sure to dry the cherries as much as possible to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Chop the cherries into smaller pieces and pat dry again.
How To Make
Learn how to make the cherry chocolate chip cookies in a few easy steps.
- In a mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt until well combined. Set aside for now.
- Slice the cold butter into tablespoon sized slices. Heat the cold butter in the microwave for 25 seconds. The butter should still be solid, but will have softened sides. Add the butter to a large mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment. Cream together the butter with light brown and granulated sugars on medium speed for 3 minutes or until well combined. Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract on medium speed for 1 minute until smooth and well combined. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. I like to do this about ½ of the dry ingredients at a time. Fold in most of the chocolate chips or chunks, followed by the cherries (dried, maraschino or fresh). Reserve about ½ cup (85 g) of chocolate chips for topping the cookies right before baking.
- Cover the cookies with plastic wrap and transfer to the fridge to chill for 1 hour or up to overnight. About 30 minutes before baking the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a medium cookie scoop (2 tablespoons, 30 ml), scoop the chocolate chip cherry cookie dough and place the cookie dough balls onto the lined baking sheet about 3 inches (8 cm) apart. Top with the reserved chocolate chips or chunks. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are set and the centers are slightly puffed. Cool the soft and chewy cherry chocolate chip cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely to room temperature and enjoy.
How To Make Ahead, Store, Freeze and Thaw
- Make Ahead: Prepare the chocolate chip and cherry cookie dough. Store the cookie dough covered in the fridge for 1 - 2 days. Bring the cookie dough to room temperature for 30 minutes while the oven preheats and bake as directed in the recipe. For longer cookie dough storage, transfer to the freezer.
- Store: Place the baked cherry chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up 4 - 5 days. I suggest warming the cookie for the best cookie eating experience. Cookie dough can be stored in an airtight container overnight. For longer storage, I suggest freezing the cookies or cookie dough.
- Freeze Dough: Prepare the cherry choc chip cookies through the chilling step. Chill for 30 minutes then scoop the dough into balls onto small lined baking sheet or large plate. Freeze the cookie balls for 20 minutes then transfer them to a freezer proof container for up to 2 months. Thaw the cookie dough balls in the fridge overnight, set out at room temperature for 20 - 30 and proceed with the cookie recipe as written starting with baking.
- Freeze Baked Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled to room temperature transfer them to a freezer proof container in a single lined with parchment paper between each layer. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours. Then heat them in the microwave for 20 - 30 seconds to get that “fresh from the oven” taste.
- Thaw: The easiest and tastiest way to thaw the chewy cherry chocolate chip cookies is to let them sit out at room temperature. I like to heat them in the microwave for 20 - 30 seconds to get that “fresh from the oven” taste.
M’s Expert Tips
- Measure the flour properly. I highly recommend using a food scale to get perfectly measured ingredients every time.
- Prepare the cherries correctly. Depending on the type of cherries you use for the chocolate chip cookies, you will need to do a bit of preparation prior to making the cookies. For dried cherries, simply add at the same time as the chocolate chips. For maraschino or fresh cherries, make sure to dry the cherries as much as possible to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Chop the cherries into smaller pieces and pat dry again.
- Chill the dough. Not only do the cookies have more flavor overall, but chilling the dough is a necessary step for creating the perfect chewy chocolate chip cherry cookies.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Make sure to mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. This step can be done by hand to ensure the dough is fully mixed without being overmixed.
- Top with more chocolate chips. Reserve about ½ cup (85 g) of chocolate chips for topping the cookies.
- Give your cookies a “cookie scoot.” Within the first minute of removing the cookies from the oven, use a large biscuit cutter (wider than the cookies) to help shape any cookies back into a more round shape. Place the cutter over the cookies so the edges of the cookie are inside the cookie/ biscuit cutter. In a circular motion, gently nudge the edges back into a round shape.
- Store with a slice of bread. To keep these cookies as the best and softest chocolate chip cookies for days, store any leftover cookies in an airtight container along with a slice of bread.
FAQs
Can I use maraschino cherries in cherry chocolate chip cookies?
Yes! Maraschino cherries work wonderfully in this recipe as a replacement for dried cherries. Be sure to drain them well and pat them completely dry with paper towels before chopping and folding them into the dough. Removing excess moisture helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
What type of chocolate is best for cherry chocolate chip cookies?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a classic choice because they balance the sweetness of the cherries. Dark chocolate offers a richer flavor, while milk chocolate creates a sweeter cookie. Chocolate chunks also work well if you prefer larger pockets of melted chocolate.
Can I make this cherry chocolate chip cookies dairy free or gluten free?
Swap the all purpose flour with gluten free flour and swap the dairy ingredients with plant based ones to make these cookies dairy free.
Can I make these chocolate chip cookies bigger or smaller?
I find that a medium cookie scoop, with about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough makes the perfect cookie. However, you can make a small (1 tablespoon) cookie if you like. Bake this size cookie for about 8 - 9 minutes. For a larger cookie, use a large cookie scoop (3 tablespoons, 45 ml) and bake for 12 - 14 minutes.
Other Cherry Recipes to Try
If you try this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Doing so helps other readers decide if this is a great recipe to bake. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using @olivesnthyme so I can see what you’re baking! - M
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
These Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, buttery and filled with rich chocolate chips and sweet cherries for the perfect balance of fruity and chocolatey flavor. Made with simple ingredients and easy to follow steps, this homemade cookie recipe is perfect for holidays, cookie exchanges, or whenever you're craving a bakery worthy treat.
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 stand mixer with paddle attachment or electric hand mixer with beaters
- 1 - 2 large baking sheets
- 2 sheets parchment paper
- 1 medium (2 tablespoon, 30 ml) cookie scoop optional
Ingredients
- 3 cups (360 g) all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (226 g) cold unsalted butter, sliced
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vanilla extract
- 2 cups (340 g) chocolate chips, divided
- 1 cup dried, fresh or maraschino cherries see notes
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt until well combined. Set aside for now.3 cups (360 g) all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
- Slice the cold butter into tablespoon sized slices. Heat the cold butter in the microwave for 25 seconds. The butter should still be solid, but will have softened sides. Add the butter to a large mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment. Cream together the butter with light brown and granulated sugars on medium speed for 3 minutes or until well combined.1 cup (226 g) cold unsalted butter, sliced, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract on medium speed for 1 minute until smooth and well combined. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. I like to do this about ½ of the dry ingredients at a time. Fold in most of the chocolate chips or chunks, followed by the cherries (dried, maraschino or fresh). Reserve about ½ cup (85 g) of chocolate chips for topping the cookies right before baking.2 large eggs, room temperature, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vanilla extract , 2 cups (340 g) chocolate chips, divided , 1 cup dried, fresh or maraschino cherries
- Cover the cookies with plastic wrap and transfer to the fridge to chill for 1 hour or up to overnight. About 30 minutes before baking the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a medium cookie scoop (2 tablespoons, 30 ml), scoop the chocolate chip cherry cookie dough and place the cookie dough balls onto the lined baking sheet about 3 inches (8 cm) apart. Top with the reserved chocolate chips or chunks.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are set and the centers are slightly puffed. Cool the soft and chewy cherry chocolate chip cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely to room temperature and enjoy.
Notes
Store: Place the baked cherry chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up 4 - 5 days. I suggest warming the cookie for the best cookie eating experience. Cookie dough can be stored in an airtight container overnight. For longer storage, I suggest freezing the cookies or cookie dough.
Cherries: Depending on the type of cherries you use for the chocolate chip cookies, you will need to do a bit of preparation prior to making the cookies. For dried cherries, simply add at the same time as the chocolate chips. For maraschino or fresh cherries, make sure to dry the cherries as much as possible to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Chop the cherries into smaller pieces and pat dry again. Then add the cherries to the cookie dough.
did you make this recipe?tag @olivesnthyme on Instagram
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