Cherry chocolate chip cookies are a delightful twist on the classic cookie everyone knows and loves. Combining the sweet and tart flavor of maraschino cherries with rich, semi-sweet chocolate chips, these cookies create an irresistible treat that brings a burst of flavor in every bite. With a crispy outer layer and a chewy center, these cookies are perfect for any occasion, be it a cozy evening at home or a festive gathering with friends and family.
Why We Love This Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
There’s something special about cherry chocolate chip cookies that captures your heart and taste buds. The unique combination of sweet cherries and melty chocolate chips creates a flavor profile that is both comforting and exciting. These cookies are a wonderful way to enjoy the familiar taste of chocolate chips while adding a fruity twist that brightens up the classic cookie recipe. Furthermore, they are easy to make and require just a few simple ingredients. This recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels, allowing you to create delicious cookies that will bring smiles to everyone who tries them.
Ingredients About Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
To make these scrumptious cherry chocolate chip cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
List of Ingredients with Measurements
- 1 cup maraschino cherries (140g/5oz, drained)
- 113 g unsalted butter (1 stick / ½ cup / 4oz)
- 225 g plain flour (all-purpose flour) (1 ¾ cups / 8oz)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda (bicarb soda)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup white granulated sugar (135g / 4.8oz)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (50g / 1.8oz)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (semi-sweet) (180g / 6.4oz)
How to Make Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Directions
Creating these delightful cherry chocolate chip cookies takes just a little time and effort, and the results are definitely worth it! Here’s how to prepare them:
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) or 350°F. This ensures that your cookies will bake evenly.
- Prepare the Baking Sheets: Line two large baking sheets with baking paper. This helps prevent the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Prepare the Cherries: Drain the maraschino cherries and chop them into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Place the chopped cherries on a few sheets of paper towel and gently press down with another sheet to remove excess juice.
- Brown the Butter: In a small saucepan over low to medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Swirl it occasionally until it starts to bubble. Allow it to continue bubbling until it turns foamy and develops an amber brown color. This step adds a nutty flavor to your cookies.
- Let the Butter Cool: Slowly pour the browned butter into a large mixing bowl, making sure to leave any burnt solids behind. Let it cool for about 10 minutes.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this bowl aside for later.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: To the cooled butter, add the white granulated sugar and light brown sugar, whisking until well combined. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking again until the mixture is smooth.
- Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Do this until just combined; avoid overmixing.
- Add the Cherries and Chocolate Chips: When the flour mixture is about 90% mixed in, reserve a small handful of the chocolate chips and chopped cherries. Add the rest to the cookie dough and fold until they are evenly incorporated.
- Scoop the Dough: Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, pack the cookie dough in tightly and form golf ball-sized balls. Transfer them to the prepared baking trays, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Don’t worry if some bits fall off; simply press them back in.
- Decorate: Top each dough ball with a couple of chocolate chips and a piece of cherry, pressing them lightly into the dough.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for around 12 to 14 minutes. When you take the trays out, if you’d like them to be more uniform in shape, you can use a round cookie cutter and gently swirl it around each cookie.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the trays for a few minutes before using a spatula to transfer them to a cooling rack. Once they cool down, they will firm up slightly, offering a crispy exterior and a chewy center.
How to Serve Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
When it comes to serving your cherry chocolate chip cookies, there are a few ways to enhance their presentation and enjoyment.
First, consider serving them fresh out of the oven with a tall glass of cold milk. The warm, gooey chocolate and the sweet cherries combine perfectly with the refreshing milk. This classic pairing makes for a simple yet satisfying treat.
If you’re hosting a gathering, arrange the cookies on a beautiful plate or in a decorative jar, allowing your guests to help themselves. Adding a little garnish, like mint leaves or a dusting of powdered sugar, can elevate their appearance, making them even more tempting.
For an indulgent dessert, pair your cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm cookies and cool ice cream creates a delightful experience that everyone will love.
Lastly, consider adding a small bowl of extra chocolate chips or chopped cherries on the side for those who wish to enhance their cookie-eating experience even further!
Expert Tips: Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
To ensure your cherry chocolate chip cookies turn out perfect every time, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow your egg and butter to come to room temperature before mixing them into your batter. This helps create a smoother, creamier dough that incorporates air better, leading to a chewier cookie.
- Don’t Overmix: When you combine the dry ingredients with the wet, be cautious not to overmix the dough. Overmixing can result in tough cookies. Fold gently until just combined.
- Experiment with Chopping Sizes: Depending on your preference, feel free to chop the cherries into different sizes. Smaller pieces will distribute more evenly, while larger chunks will create delightful surprises in your bite.
- Brown the Butter Just Right: Watch your butter closely while browning it. It can quickly go from perfect to burnt. The ideal color is a warm amber, which will give your cookies a rich, nutty flavor.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): If you have time, consider chilling your cookie dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes before scooping and baking. This step can help prevent spreading, resulting in thicker cookies.
How to Store Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Proper storage will keep your cherry chocolate chip cookies fresh and chewy. Here’s how to do it:
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This keeps them soft and prevents them from becoming stale.
- Refrigeration: If you want to extend their shelf life, you can store the cookies in the refrigerator. Make sure they are in an airtight container to avoid pulling in moisture from the fridge, which can alter the texture.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cookies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them at room temperature or warm them slightly in the oven.
Variation of Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Experimenting with variations on your cherry chocolate chip cookies can lead to delightful results! Here are a few ideas to inspire your creativity:
- Nutty Addition: Consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to your dough for added crunch and flavor. Toasting the nuts beforehand will bring out their natural oils, enhancing their taste.
- Different Chips: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate or milk chocolate chips. This change will create a sweeter cookie with a completely different flavor profile.
- Dried Fruit: If you want to add more fruity goodness, incorporate other dried fruits alongside the cherries, like cranberries or blueberries, for an added burst of flavor.
- Coconut Flakes: Add shredded coconut to the dough for a tropical twist. The coconut will add texture and chewiness, making your cookie even more interesting.
- Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients can introduce warmth and depth to the cookie flavor. Just a small amount can go a long way in enhancing the overall taste.
FAQ
What makes cherry chocolate chip cookies different from regular chocolate chip cookies?
Cherry chocolate chip cookies differentiate themselves from regular chocolate chip cookies by featuring the tart and sweet flavor of maraschino cherries alongside the rich chocolate. This unique combination adds an exciting twist to a classic favorite.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Yes, you can use fresh cherries! Be sure to pit and chop them before incorporating them into the dough. Fresh cherries will provide a more natural flavor but may contain more moisture, so be mindful of the extra liquid.
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to a week. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. You can also freeze the cookie dough for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge before baking.
How can I ensure my cookies are chewy?
To achieve chewy cookies, avoid overbaking them. Take them out when the edges are lightly golden, and the centers look slightly undercooked. They will continue to firm up as they cool. Additionally, using brown sugar and not overmixing will contribute to a chewier texture.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing?
Yes! These cookies freeze well. You can freeze both the baked cookies and the raw dough. For baked cookies, make sure they are completely cool before storing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. For raw dough, scoop out balls and freeze them individually before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 1 cup maraschino cherries (140g/5oz, drained) Chopped into halves or quarters
- 113 g unsalted butter (1 stick / ½ cup / 4oz) Browned before adding
- 225 g plain flour (all-purpose flour) (1 ¾ cups / 8oz)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda (bicarb soda)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup white granulated sugar (135g / 4.8oz)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (50g / 1.8oz)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (semi-sweet) (180g / 6.4oz)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) or 350°F.
- Line two large baking sheets with baking paper.
- Drain the maraschino cherries and chop them. Remove excess juice by pressing them with paper towels.
- In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low to medium heat until it turns amber brown.
- Pour the browned butter into a mixing bowl and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
- In another bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add white and brown sugar to the cooled butter, whisk until combined, then add the egg and vanilla extract and mix smooth.
- Gently fold in the flour mixture until just combined.
- Incorporate the chopped cherries and chocolate chips into the dough.
Baking
- Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, form the cookie dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Top each dough ball with a few chocolate chips and a piece of cherry, pressing them lightly.
- Bake cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the trays for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Serving
- Serve warm with a glass of milk or store in an airtight container.
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