Best Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies to Try

If you are craving a cookie that perfectly marries sweet cherries with the rich, melty goodness of chocolate, you have to try these Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies. They strike the perfect balance between chewy and gooey, bursting with bright cherry flavor and studded with luscious chocolate chips that melt in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for yourself, for friends, or as a special treat, these cookies deliver a unique twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie everyone loves. The juicy cherries add a delightful pop of color and flavor that makes every bite memorable.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweet-tart maraschino cherries complement the rich chocolate chips beautifully.
• Chewy, Soft Texture: These cookies maintain a chewy center and slightly crisp edges that everyone adores.
• Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s perfect even for beginners.
• Eye-Catching Appearance: The red cherries scattered across each cookie make them look as good as they taste.
• Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday celebration, party, or just a cozy snack, these cookies fit right in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses classic pantry staples paired with maraschino cherries to bring together a cookie that looks and tastes incredible. Each ingredient plays a vital role: butter for richness, sugar for sweetness, and cherries for that signature burst of color and fruity zing.

• All-purpose Flour: Provides structure and balance to keep cookies chewy yet sturdy.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates the perfect soft texture.
• Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and contributes to a tender bite.
• Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and slight crispness.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper flavor complexity.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to cookie softness.
• Vanilla Extract: Elevates the flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
• Maraschino Cherries: Chopped finely, adding sweet, juicy pops of cherry flavor and vibrant color.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Classic chocolate that melts perfectly into each cookie.

Variations for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Feel free to make this recipe your own by swapping ingredients or adding new flavor dimensions. These cookies are delightfully adaptable and perfect for experimenting based on dietary preferences or what you have on hand.

• Dark Chocolate Chips: Swap semi-sweet for dark chocolate for a richer, slightly bitter contrast.
• Add Nuts: Toasted walnuts or pecans bring a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
• Gluten-Free Flour: Easily substitute with a gluten-free blend for those with dietary restrictions.
• White Chocolate & Cranberries: Use white chocolate chips and dried cranberries for a festive twist.
• Cherry Liqueur: Add a splash of cherry liqueur to the batter for an adult flavor enhancement.

How to Make Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Chop the maraschino cherries into small pieces and set aside. Measure out all ingredients for easy access during mixing.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of leavening and seasoning throughout the dough.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a mixer, beat the unsalted butter with both the granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, roughly 3 to 4 minutes. This aerates the mixture, which helps the cookies rise and develop a tender texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. This creates a smooth and cohesive wet mixture.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet bowl, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.

Step 6: Fold in Cherries and Chocolate Chips

Gently fold the chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips into the dough, distributing them evenly while preserving the dough’s softness.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Scoop dough with a cookie scoop or spoon onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are golden but centers remain soft.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to set perfectly without breaking apart.

Pro Tips for Making Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and improve flavor.
• Pat Dry the Cherries: Use paper towels to remove excess syrup from cherries to avoid soggy cookies.
• Don’t Overbake: Remove cookies when edges just start to turn golden; centers will finish firming up as they cool.
• Use Room Temperature Butter: This makes creaming easier and yields fluffier cookies.
• Even Cookie Sizes: Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform baking and presentation.

How to Serve Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

For a fun presentation, sprinkle a few extra chopped maraschino cherries on top of warm cookies or add a light dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch that highlights their cherry sweetness.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a cup of hot coffee or tea to complement their sweet and rich flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter with fresh cherries and chocolate pieces for an irresistible dessert table centerpiece. They also make fantastic gifts when wrapped in colorful cellophane and tied with a ribbon.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their chewy texture and vibrant flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freezing until firm, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To enjoy freshly warm cookies, reheat them in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries are delicious but have a higher moisture content, which may affect the cookie’s texture. Maraschino cherries provide consistent sweetness and maintain their firmness in the dough.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can substitute with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup to make the cookies gluten-free.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be made a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator, which actually helps deepen the flavor and improves texture.

How do I prevent the cherries from bleeding color into the dough?

Always pat the maraschino cherries dry with paper towels before mixing into the dough to minimize excess syrup and color bleeding.

What’s the best chocolate chip to use?

Semi-sweet chocolate chips are classic and balance the sweetness of the cherries, but feel free to use dark, milk, or even white chocolate depending on your preference.

Final Thoughts

These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delightful twist on a beloved classic, offering a burst of cherry flavor alongside rich, melting chocolate. They are easy to make, pleasing to the eye, and simply irresistible when fresh from the oven. Whether you’re baking for fun or looking to impress, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your cookie rotation. Give it a try and enjoy each sweet, cherry-studded bite!

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