These cherry chocolate chip cookies are a delightful twist to the classic favorite, perfect for celebrating sweet moments with someone special! Imagine those chewy cookies bursting with bits of maraschino cherries and rich chocolate, making your heart smile.

This cookie recipe tackles issues of dryness and common flavorlessness, ensuring a delightful treat for special occasions and memorable moments.

As I tried to whip up these treats for a last-minute Valentine’s surprise, I faced a bit of a hiccup. I accidentally grabbed the almond extract instead of vanilla, which ended up adding a yummy flavor. It’s a reminder that even oops moments can lead to delightful discoveries!

This recipe is reliable and takes just about 22-23 minutes to go from mixing bowl to cooling rack. Expect a warm batch of cookies that have that lovely, soft texture with plenty of bites from chocolate and chewy cherry pieces!

If you’re looking for something festive to add to your dessert table, I highly recommend my Strawberry Shortcake Tiramisu. It’s another delightful creation perfect for celebrations!

Why You Will Love This Recipe
Ingredient Notes
Recipe Tips
Serving Suggestions
Recipe variations
How to Store?
Other Recipes You’ll Love

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Festive Flavor Burst , The blend of cherries and chocolate creates a vibrant combination that captures the essence of special celebrations, making each cookie feel like a treat meant for sharing with loved ones.
Rich Texture , With a soft and chewy center, thanks to the creamy butter and dense chocolate chips, each cookie brings a satisfying bite that’s enjoyable any time of year.
Easy Preparation , These cookies come together quickly and simply, which means you can whip up a batch in about 20 minutes, perfect for those last-minute sweet cravings.
Make-Ahead Convenience , You can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the fridge, so you always have delicious cookies ready to bake whenever a craving hits.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Author: Charlene
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cool Time: 15-20 minutes
Cook Time: 12-13 minutes
Total Time: 22-23 minutes
Yield: 16-18 cookies 1x
Category: dessert
Method: Baking
Diet: Low Fat

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Description

Delicious Valentine’s Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies that are low fat and perfect for sharing.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Make sure the oven is fully heated before placing the cookies inside. This step ensures the outside of the cookies browns lightly while the center stays soft.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This should take approximately 2-3 minutes. Incorporating air at this stage helps the cookies rise properly.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and pink food coloring if using. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients, scraping down the sides of the bowl to prevent clumps and ensure even flavor throughout the dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to fully distribute the leavening and seasoning. Gradually mix this dry blend into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing for better texture.
Step 5: Incorporate Cherries and Chocolate: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the drained, patted-dry maraschino cherries into the dough. Handle with care to keep the cherries intact and maintain the softness of the dough.
Step 6: Scoop and Space Dough: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, portion dough mounds onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Leave approximately 2 inches between each mound to allow space for spreading while baking.
Step 7: Bake and Check for Doneness: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 12-13 minutes. Watch for the cookies to develop lightly golden edges. Centers may appear slightly underbaked, but they will firm up as they cool.
Step 8: Cool and Serve: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting time sets their structure, making them easier to handle.

Notes

Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat to preserve texture and flavor.
Refrigeration: Place cookies in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Ensure cookies are completely cooled before sealing to avoid sogginess.
Freezing: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
If cookie dough feels too sticky to scoop easily, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before portioning.
To prevent cookies from spreading too thinly, add an extra tablespoon of flour to the dough to improve its structure.
Carefully drain and gently blot maraschino cherries with paper towels to remove excess moisture; excess liquid can cause dough to become too wet.
If cookies are not browning as expected, increase oven temperature by 25°F (about 14°C) and check for doneness approximately 2 minutes earlier than initial baking time.
Add an extra drop of almond extract for a more pronounced almond flavor that complements the cherries well.

Nutrition

Calories: N/A
Sugar: N/A
Sodium: N/A
Fat: N/A
Saturated Fat: N/A
Unsaturated Fat: N/A
Trans Fat: N/A
Carbohydrates: N/A
Fiber: N/A
Protein: N/A
Cholesterol: N/A

Ingredient Notes

Cherries: Fresh, ripe cherries add a juicy sweetness that complements the chocolate. Make sure to pit them for a smooth texture. Frozen cherries work fine too.
Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips offer a great balance of sweetness. Look for high-quality brands that melt well, like Ghirardelli or Nestlé.
Brown sugar: Using light brown sugar enhances the cookie’s chewiness and adds a rich caramel flavor. Dark brown can be used for a more intense flavor.
All-purpose flour: Go for a good-quality unbleached all-purpose flour for the best texture. It helps create that classic cookie structure you want.
Baking soda: This is the key leavening agent that gives the cookies a nice lift. Make sure it’s fresh for optimal results, as expired baking soda won’t provide the right rise.

Recipe Tips

If the dough feels too sticky while scooping, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before portioning to achieve easier handling.
When cookies spread too thin during baking, add an extra tablespoon of flour for better structure and shape; this helps maintain their desired form.
If the maraschino cherries release too much liquid, ensure they are drained thoroughly; press them gently with paper towels for optimal dryness before mixing.
If your cookies aren’t browning properly, increase the oven temperature by 25°F and check them about 2 minutes earlier than the recommended baking time.
For a more distinct almond flavor, try using an extra drop of almond extract in the dough; this adds a lovely twist that complements the cherries.

Serving Suggestions

Serve cherry chocolate chip cookies warm with a glass of almond milk or a scoop of sugar-free vanilla ice cream. Pair them with fresh strawberries or a light fruit salad for a refreshing touch.

Use cherry chocolate chip cookies to create ice cream sandwiches by adding your favorite low-carb ice cream between two cookies. Crumble them into yogurt or cottage cheese for a sweet topping.

Top with a drizzle of sugar-free chocolate syrup or a sprinkle of powdered erythritol for added sweetness. You can also add a dollop of sugar-free whipped cream for a decadent finish.

Recipe variations

You can use dried tart cherries instead of maraschino cherries to reduce moisture and provide a chewier texture in your cherry chocolate chip cookies.
Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm spice note that pairs well with cherry and chocolate.
Either semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips can be used in this recipe depending on how intense you want the chocolate flavor to be.
If baking for a larger batch, double all ingredients and bake cookies on separate trays, adding about 15 minutes to the total preparation time.

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How to Store?

To keep your cherry chocolate chip cookies fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:

Room Temperature: Place cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days. Avoid sunlight and heat to maintain texture and flavor.

Refrigeration: Use an airtight container and store cookies in the refrigerator up to 7 days. Let cool completely before sealing to prevent sogginess.

Freezing: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or bag up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

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If you enjoyed this cherry chocolate chip cookies or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!