How should I store chocolate and cherry cookies to keep them fresh?

To keep your chocolate and cherry cookies wonderfully fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. A cookie jar or a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid works perfectly. They'll stay soft and delicious for about 3-4 days. If your kitchen is very warm, you can keep them in the fridge, but let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries in this chocolate and cherry cookie recipe?

While you can use fresh cherries, it will change the cookie quite a bit. Fresh cherries have more moisture and less sugar than maraschino cherries. If you use them, make sure to pit and chop them, and consider reducing the maraschino cherry liquid slightly to avoid making the dough too wet. The flavor profile will also be less sweet and more tart, which some people prefer for their chocolate and cherry cookies!

Can I freeze chocolate and cherry cookie dough or baked cookies?

Absolutely! These chocolate and cherry cookies are great for freezing. For dough: Roll the dough balls as directed in Step 7, then place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1 hour). Transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe storage bag or container for long-term keeping. When ready to bake, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake from frozen, adding a couple more minutes to the bake time. For baked cookies: Once completely cooled, place the cookies in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. They will keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature when you're ready to enjoy.

What kind of chocolate is best for chocolate and cherry cookies?

For the cookie dough itself, semi-sweet chocolate chips are a fantastic choice as they offer a balanced sweetness that complements the cherries. If you love a richer, less sweet flavor, dark chocolate chips (around 60-70% cocoa) are wonderful for chocolate and cherry cookies. For the drizzle, standard semi-sweet chocolate chips melted with a bit of shortening work beautifully to create a smooth, shiny finish. Feel free to experiment with milk chocolate for a sweeter cookie or even white chocolate for a pretty contrast!

Chocolate and Cherry Cookies: 10 Scrumptious Homemade Treats

Name: Chocolate and Cherry Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 21 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ¼ cups all purpose flour; ¾ cups unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon baking powder; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1 cup light brown sugar; ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry liquid; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 25 maraschino cherries; ½ cup chocolate chips; 1 tablespoon shortening

Description

Bake delightful chocolate and cherry cookies! This easy, step-by-step recipe guides you to soft, rich cocoa cookies with sweet-tart cherries. Perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

3 ¼ cups all purpose flour
¾ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons maraschino cherry liquid
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
25 maraschino cherries
½ cup chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a few baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Whisk them together.

3. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light, fluffy, and pale.

4. Beat in the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the maraschino cherry liquid and vanilla extract.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture from Step 2 into the wet ingredients in the large bowl. Mix on low speed until everything is just combined, being careful not to overmix.

6. Take your maraschino cherries, drain them well, and pat them dry. Chop about half of the cherries into small pieces. Gently fold both the chopped cherries and the chocolate chips into your cookie dough using a spatula.

7. Roll the cookie dough into 1.5-inch balls. Place these dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball slightly with your palm. Then, press a whole maraschino cherry right into the center of each cookie dough disc.

8. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look a little soft.

9. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the ½ cup chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon shortening. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each one, until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Drizzle this melted chocolate over your cooled cookies.

Notes

Room temperature ingredients are essential for smooth dough. Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes can improve texture and prevent spreading. To easily chop sticky maraschino cherries, chill them or dust your knife with flour, and pat them dry. Feel free to substitute dark or white chocolate chips, or add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds. A pinch of cinnamon or almond extract can be added for spiced cookies, or kirsch for a boozy twist. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Dough balls can be frozen for up to 2 months; bake from frozen, adding a couple more minutes. Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chocolate and cherry cookies, cherry chocolate chip cookies, maraschino cherry cookie recipe, chewy chocolate cookies, homemade cherry cookies