Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

Mix butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients, fold in cherries and chocolate chips. Scoop and bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.
Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 17 Feb 2025 09:46:20 GMT
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Pin it
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies | recipesbyclare.com

Sweet, tart cherries nestled alongside melty chocolate chips create cookie magic in this twist on a classic favorite. After discovering this combination during cherry season last year, I've been perfecting these cookies to achieve that ideal balance of soft centers, crispy edges, and bursts of fresh cherry flavor.

Last week I made a double batch for my son's baseball team, and one mom texted me at midnight asking for the recipe because her kids wouldn't stop talking about them!

Essential Ingredients Guide

  • Unsalted butter: at room temperature for perfect creaming
  • Brown sugar: creates chewiness while white sugar adds crispness
  • Fresh cherries: bring bright flavor (though maraschino cherries work too)
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips: balance the cherries perfectly
  • Pure vanilla extract: enhances all the flavors

I discovered by accident that slightly underbaking these cookies keeps them soft and chewy for days - that time I got distracted and pulled them out early turned out to be a happy mistake!

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Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Homemade | recipesbyclare.com

Creating Cookie Magic

Start Fresh:
Pit and chop your cherries first - this is the messiest part, wear dark colors!
Cream With Care:
Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy - don't rush this step.
Build Structure:
Add eggs and vanilla, then mix in dry ingredients just until combined.
Add The Stars:
Fold in cherries and chocolate chips gently to keep cherries intact.
Shape With Love:
Use an ice cream scoop for uniform cookies that bake evenly.
Golden Finish:
Bake until edges are just set but centers look slightly underdone.

That time I crowded the pan, thinking 'they won't spread that much'? Ended up with one giant cherry-chocolate cookie! Now I know better and give them plenty of room to grow.

Kitchen Love Stories

These cookies have become my summer signature, appearing at every picnic and poolside gathering. Something about the combination of fresh cherries and chocolate just screams summer happiness. Even my chocolate-chip-purist husband had to admit these were something special. I started making them during cherry season last year, and now my kids help me pit cherries just so we can bake batch after batch.

Perfect Pairings

These beauties shine alongside a cold glass of milk or afternoon coffee. For dessert, I've been known to sandwich vanilla ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate summer treat. Sometimes I'll serve them with extra fresh cherries on the side, especially when entertaining.

Storage Success

Keep these treasures in an airtight container and they'll stay soft for three days - if they last that long! I've started making double batches and freezing half the dough in pre-scooped balls. Nothing beats having cookie dough ready to go when cravings strike.

Sweet Variations

While fresh cherries are my favorite, maraschino cherries create a fun twist that kids especially love. Sometimes I'll swap in white chocolate chips for a different flavor profile, or add some toasted almonds for extra crunch. During the holidays, I dip half the cookie in melted chocolate for an elegant touch.

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Easy Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies | recipesbyclare.com

Baker's Wisdom

  • Wear dark clothes when pitting cherries - those stains don't come out!
  • An ice cream scoop creates perfectly uniform cookies
  • If using maraschino cherries, pat them dry really well first

Making these cookies has taught me that sometimes the best recipes come from taking a chance on something different. The combination of sweet, tart, and chocolate creates something truly special that brings people together, one cookie at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes, just thaw and drain them well before chopping to prevent excess moisture in the cookies.
→ Fresh or maraschino cherries?
Either works! Fresh cherries provide a natural flavor, while maraschino cherries add sweetness and color.
→ Why do the cookies need to rest on the pan?
The 3-minute rest helps the cookies set up properly so they don't break when transferred.
→ How should I store these cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
→ Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, scoop dough balls and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to bake time.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic chocolate chip cookies get a fruity upgrade with fresh cherries - perfect for cherry season or any time you want a special treat!

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
32 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (16 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Wet Ingredients

01 ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
02 ¾ cup brown sugar
03 ¼ cup cane sugar
04 1 egg
05 1 teaspoon vanilla

→ Dry Ingredients

06 1⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
07 1 teaspoon baking soda
08 ½ teaspoon baking powder
09 ½ teaspoon salt

→ Mix-ins

10 ½ cup chocolate chips
11 ½ cup cherries, pitted and chopped

Instructions

Step 01

Pit and chop cherries if not done already. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray.

Step 02

Cream butter and both sugars together in a large bowl. Add egg and vanilla, stirring for 1 minute.

Step 03

In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Step 04

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix with electric mixer until just combined, avoiding over-mixing. Stir in chocolate chips and cherries by hand.

Step 05

Use ice cream or cookie scoop to portion dough onto baking sheet, spacing well apart. Bake for 12 minutes.

Step 06

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Notes

  1. Can use fresh cherries or maraschino cherries
  2. May need to bake in batches depending on sheet size
  3. Space cookies well apart as they will spread

Tools You'll Need

  • Large baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Electric mixer
  • Cookie scoop or ice cream scoop
  • Cooling rack

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains wheat (gluten)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 176
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 26 g
  • Protein: 2 g