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Chocolate Cherry Cookies

These Chocolate Cherry Cookies are rich, soft, and packed with deep chocolate flavor and sweet cherry bursts. Made with cocoa-infused dough and juicy maraschino cherries, they’re a must-try for fans of chocolate cherry desserts, maraschino cherry cookies, and creative cherry dessert recipes. Perfect for holidays, cookie swaps, or anytime you want a bakery-style cookie with a fruity twist.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
30 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings: 24 Cookies
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup maraschino cherries chopped and well-drained
  • 1 cup chocolate chips or chocolate chunks
  • Optional Add-Ins:
  • White chocolate chips Cherry Garcia cookies style
  • Dark chocolate chunks
  • Chopped nuts

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until fully combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a thick dough forms.
  6. Gently fold in chopped cherries and chocolate chips.
  7. Chill dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
  8. Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.
  9. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and centers remain soft.
  10. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

Drain cherries very well to avoid excess moisture
Chill dough to prevent spreading
Use dark chocolate for richer flavor
Do not overbake—cookies firm up as they cool
Freeze dough balls for up to 3 months