Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips
There’s nothing quite like the delicious combination of sweet cherries and rich chocolate, especially when those chocolate chips have a delightful mocha twist. If you have a sweet tooth and love bold flavors, these Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips are destined to become your new favorite treat. They are chewy, bursting with pockets of fruity cherry goodness, and balanced perfectly by the subtle coffee notes of mocha chips. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or a special gathering, these cookies deliver warmth, sweetness, and a little kick of caffeine that will keep everyone coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Flavor Fusion: The sweet cherries paired with mocha chocolate chips create a unique, irresistible taste sensation.
- Chewy, Soft Texture: These cookies strike a wonderful balance between soft dough and melty chips for the ultimate chew.
- Easy to Make: Straightforward ingredients and clear steps make this a great cookie recipe for all skill levels.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual snack or a festive gift, these cookies fit right in.
- Customizable: The recipe adapts well to ingredient swaps for special diets or flavor preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips recipe plays a vital role in creating that perfect blend of flavor, texture, and appearance. From the richness of the butter to the freshness of the cherries, every element is essential and easy to find.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and the tender crumb you expect in a classic cookie.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a soft, chewy texture.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the depth of all flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moistness to your dough, making each bite decadent.
- Brown sugar: Contributes to chewiness and imparts a rich caramel flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Balances moisture and crunch for a perfect cookie exterior.
- Large eggs: Bind ingredients and promote tenderness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
- Dried cherries (or fresh, pitted): Offers bursts of fruity sweetness and slight tartness to contrast the chocolate.
- Mocha chocolate chips: These coffee-infused chocolate chips add complexity and a pleasant bitterness.
Variations for Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips
Feel free to customize this recipe to better suit your taste buds or dietary needs—swapping or adding ingredients is a breeze and can create exciting new twists on this classic treat.
- White chocolate and cherry: Substitute mocha chips for white chocolate for a sweeter, creamier taste.
- Gluten-free version: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to keep things just as delightful without gluten.
- Nutty addition: Toss in chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture contrast.
- Fresh cherries: Use fresh pitted cherries instead of dried for a juicier, fresher bite.
- Vegan alternative: Swap butter for coconut oil and use flax eggs for an easy vegan-friendly cookie.
How to Make Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure that your rising agent and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout your dough.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a hand or stand mixer, cream the unsalted butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial for that tender, chewy cookie texture.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time and then add the vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and fully incorporated.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
Step 6: Fold in Cherries and Mocha Chips
Gently fold in the dried cherries and mocha chocolate chips, making sure to distribute them evenly throughout the dough for consistent flavor in every bite.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers remain soft.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set properly and makes them easier to handle.
Pro Tips for Making Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips
- Room temperature butter: Use softened butter for easier creaming and a better cookie texture.
- Don’t overmix: Mix the dough until just combined to keep the cookies tender and avoid toughness.
- Chill the dough: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes if you want thicker, chewier cookies.
- Use quality chocolate chips: The mocha chips’ flavor shines brightest with good-quality chocolate that melts perfectly.
- Watch baking time: Take the cookies out when the edges are set but centers look slightly undercooked for optimal chewiness.
How to Serve Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra mocha chips or chopped dried cherries on top of the warm cookies just after baking for a fancy, welcoming touch that also boosts flavor.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a rich cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or a glass of cold milk, which complement the mocha and cherry notes beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the cookies stacked with a scoop of vanilla ice cream between them for an indulgent dessert sandwich, or package them in a decorative tin for gifting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This keeps them soft and fresh without drying out.
Freezing
Freeze unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag once solid. Bake directly from frozen by adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time.
Reheating
Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to refresh their chewy texture and bring out melted mocha chocolate chips.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried for Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips?
Absolutely! Fresh cherries can be used for a juicier texture, but make sure to pit and chop them, and slightly reduce moisture elsewhere to keep the dough from becoming too wet.
What can I substitute for mocha chocolate chips?
If mocha chips aren’t available, mix semi-sweet chocolate chips with a small amount of instant coffee granules for a similar coffee-chocolate flavor.
How do I make these cookies vegan?
Replace butter with coconut oil, use flaxseed eggs, and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free to make vegan-friendly Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Excessive spreading can result from using butter that’s too soft or too much sugar; chill the dough before baking and measure ingredients accurately to prevent this.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, and your cookies will turn out just as delicious.
Final Thoughts
Giving this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips recipe a try is an absolute treat for anyone who loves rich, comforting flavors with a little twist. Every bite delivers a cozy mixture of fruity sweetness and coffee-kissed chocolate that’s perfect for sharing or savoring solo with your favorite drink. Go ahead and bake a batch—you’ll be so glad you did!
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Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 25-27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be made gluten-free or vegan with substitutions
Description
These Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips combine chewy texture, sweet dried cherries, and rich mocha-flavored chocolate chips for a unique and irresistible treat. Perfectly balanced with subtle coffee notes and fruity bursts, they offer a cozy sweetness ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup dried cherries (or fresh, pitted and chopped)
- 1 cup mocha chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure that your rising agent and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout your dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a hand or stand mixer, cream the unsalted butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial for that tender, chewy cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time and then add the vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Cherries and Mocha Chips: Gently fold in the dried cherries and mocha chocolate chips, making sure to distribute them evenly throughout the dough for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Scoop and Bake: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set properly and makes them easier to handle.
Notes
- Use softened butter for easier creaming and better cookie texture.
- Mix dough until just combined to keep cookies tender and avoid toughness.
- Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes if you want thicker, chewier cookies.
- Use quality mocha chocolate chips for the best flavor and melt.
- Remove cookies from oven when edges are set but centers look slightly undercooked for optimal chewiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: cherry chocolate chip cookies, mocha chocolate chip cookies, chewy cookies, coffee cookies, cherry cookies, chocolate chip cookies
