Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chewy, chocolatey, and bursting with cherry goodness, these Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are a bakery-style treat you’ll want to bake again and again. They’re everything you love about a classic chocolate chip cookie—but with a fruity, slightly tart twist that elevates them to a whole new level of decadence.

Perfect for the holidays, Valentine’s Day, or whenever your cookie cravings hit, this recipe combines sweet cherries and rich chocolate chips in a soft, golden cookie with a tender center and crispy edges. Let’s dive into what makes these cookies irresistible—and how to make them flawlessly every time.

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🍪 Why You’ll Love These Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

This isn’t just another chocolate chip cookie recipe. Adding cherries—whether dried, fresh, or frozen—brings moisture, color, and complexity to the classic cookie base.

⭐ Highlights:

• Bakery-style thick and chewy texture

• Bold chocolate and tart cherry flavor

• Easy to make with pantry staples

• Customizable with mix-ins

• Perfect for gifting or special occasions

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🛒 Ingredients

These cookies rely on classic cookie components, but with a few special additions to boost texture and flavor.

🔹 Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

🔹 Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temp)

• ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

🔹 Mix-Ins:

• 1 cup chocolate chips (semisweet or dark)

• ¾ cup dried cherries (or 1 cup chopped fresh/frozen cherries)

💡 Note: If using fresh or frozen cherries, pat them dry before folding into the dough to avoid excess moisture.

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👩‍🍳 How to Make Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Follow these simple steps for perfect cookies every time.

🔥 Step 1: Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

🧂 Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

🧈 Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.

🥚 Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

🥄 Step 5: Combine and Add Mix-ins

Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a dough forms. Then fold in chocolate chips and cherries evenly.

💡 Tip: Chill the dough for 30 minutes to prevent spreading and enhance flavor.

🥄 Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Scoop cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Use 1.5 to 2 tablespoons per cookie for bakery-style size.

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers are just set.

🧊 Step 7: Cool

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or fully cooled!

🍒 Cherry Options & Variations

Dried Cherries

• Easy to fold into dough

• Chewy, sweet-tart texture

• No prep required

Fresh Cherries

• Must be pitted and chopped

• Adds moisture and bursts of fruit flavor

• Pat dry thoroughly before mixing in

Frozen Cherries

• Similar to fresh, but ensure they’re well-drained

• Add an extra tablespoon of flour if dough feels too wet

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🍫 Variations & Add-Ins

Switch Up the Chocolate

• Use white chocolate chips for a sweeter contrast

• Try chopped dark chocolate chunks for a gourmet feel

• Add cocoa powder for double chocolate cherry cookies

Add Texture

• Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch

• Sprinkle sea salt on top before baking for a salty-sweet twist

Make it Boozy

• Soak dried cherries in bourbon or rum for 20 minutes, then drain before adding—great for holiday cookies!

🧊 Storage & Freezing Tips

• Room Temp: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

• Freezing Dough: Scoop dough into balls and freeze on a tray. Once solid, store in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

• Freezing Baked Cookies: Layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment between. Thaw at room temp or warm briefly in the oven.

❓ FAQs About Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Can I use maraschino cherries?

You can, but they’re much sweeter and wetter than dried or fresh cherries. Pat them dry and chop finely, or reduce the sugar in the dough slightly.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?

This usually means the butter was too warm or the dough wasn’t chilled. Try refrigerating the dough for 30–60 minutes before baking.

What’s the best type of chocolate to use?

Semisweet or dark chocolate chips offer a rich contrast to the tart cherries. Avoid overly sweet milk chocolate, which can make the cookies cloying.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Note that the texture may be slightly different, but still delicious.

How do I keep cookies soft?

Store them with a slice of bread in the container—this helps maintain moisture. Don’t overbake!

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❤️ Final Thoughts

These Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect fusion of fruity and rich, chewy and crisp. They take everything you love about classic chocolate chip cookies and elevate them with juicy cherries for a unique twist that’s elegant enough for gifting, yet easy enough for everyday baking.

Whether you use dried, fresh, or frozen cherries, this recipe is adaptable, crowd-pleasing, and always hits the sweet spot.

Ready to upgrade your cookie game? Grab your mixing bowl and make a batch—you might never go back to plain chocolate chip again.