Soft, sweet, and loaded with chocolate chips and maraschino cherries, these cookies are a must-bake for cookie lovers. With their chewy texture, bursts of cherry flavor, and rich chocolate chips, they’re perfect for holidays, parties, or whenever a cookie craving strikes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft & Chewy – A tender cookie with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Cherry & Chocolate Combo – Sweet maraschino cherries pair perfectly with rich chocolate chips.
- Festive & Fun – A great treat for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or any special occasion.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and quick prep time.
- Customizable – Easily adapt with different mix-ins or variations.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract (optional, for enhanced cherry flavor)
- Maraschino cherries (chopped, with excess juice drained)
- Chocolate chips (semi-sweet or white chocolate)
Directions
- Preheat Oven – Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter & Sugars – In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients – Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Fold in Cherries & Chocolate Chips – Gently stir in the chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips.
- Form the Dough – Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake – Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool & Enjoy – Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 18-24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
Variations
- White Chocolate Cherry Cookies – Use white chocolate chips for a sweeter contrast.
- Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies – Add cocoa powder for an extra chocolatey version.
- Nutty Addition – Mix in chopped almonds or pecans for added crunch.
- Gluten-Free Version – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Drizzled Delight – Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies for an elegant touch.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep chilled for up to a week for a firmer texture.
- Freezer: Freeze cookie dough balls for up to 2 months and bake as needed.
- Reheating: Warm cookies in the microwave for 10 seconds to restore softness.
FAQs
Do I need to drain the maraschino cherries?
Yes! Excess juice can make the dough too wet, so drain and pat them dry before chopping.
Can I use fresh cherries instead?
Yes, but fresh cherries have more moisture, so you may need to adjust the flour slightly.
What’s the best chocolate for these cookies?
Semi-sweet chocolate balances the sweetness of the cherries, but white or dark chocolate also work well.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Too much cherry juice can make the dough too wet. Be sure to drain the cherries well and chill the dough if needed.
Can I make these cookies without chocolate?
Absolutely! They taste delicious with just the cherry flavor.
How do I get a stronger cherry flavor?
Adding almond extract enhances the cherry taste without overpowering the cookies.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter gives the best flavor and texture, but margarine can be used if needed.
What can I serve these cookies with?
They pair wonderfully with milk, coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Can I add coconut to these cookies?
Yes! Shredded coconut adds a tropical twist that pairs well with the cherries.
Conclusion
These Decadent Maraschino Cherry Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with cherry-chocolate goodness. Whether for a special occasion or a casual sweet treat, they’re easy to make and impossible to resist. Try them today and enjoy a delicious homemade cookie with a burst of cherry flavor!
Print
Decadent Maraschino Cherry Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 18–20 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, chewy, and bursting with maraschino cherries and chocolate chips, these cookies are a must-bake for any cookie lover! Perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime cravings.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or white chocolate)
- 2 tbsp maraschino cherry juice (for color and flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheet:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and maraschino cherry juice.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Fold in Cherries & Chocolate Chips:
- Gently fold in chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips.
- Shape & Bake:
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set.
- Cool & Serve:
- Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Enjoy warm or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- For extra richness, drizzle with melted white chocolate after baking.
- Drain cherries well to prevent excess moisture in the dough.
- Freeze dough balls for easy make-ahead cookies—just bake straight from the freezer!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
