Oh my goodness, let me tell you about these chocolate cherry cookies! They’re absolutely a match made in heaven, combining the rich, velvety goodness of chocolate with the sweet-tart burst of cherries. Every bite is like a cozy hug, and trust me, there’s just something magical about that chewy texture paired with those little nuggets of chocolate. I remember the first time I made these cookies—I was having a little get-together and wanted something special to impress my friends. As soon as they took a bite, I could see the delight in their eyes! It’s become one of my go-to recipes because it’s so simple yet so impressive. You really can’t go wrong with this flavor combo, and I promise they’ll steal the show at any gathering!
Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Cookies
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cherries
How to Prepare Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Preheat the Oven
First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is super important because it ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t turn out flat. It gives them that nice rise and helps create that lovely texture we all want. So, don’t skip this step!
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure to mix them well so you don’t end up with pockets of cocoa goodness or baking soda in your cookies. An even mix means an even bake, and we want every bite to be delicious!
Cream Butter and Sugar
In a larger bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with a handheld mixer. You want it to be smooth and airy—this is where the magic starts! It gives your cookies that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now it’s time to bring it all together! Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. I like to do this in thirds, mixing just until combined after each addition. This helps avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies. We want them soft and chewy, not like little bricks!
Fold in Chocolate Chips and Dried Cherries
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and dried cherries. I usually use a spatula for this! The key here is to be gentle—just fold until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. This way, you won’t break up the chocolate chips, and you’ll get those lovely bits of cherry in every bite!
Bake the Cookies
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Pop them in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges look set, but the centers still look a bit soft. Don’t worry, they’ll firm up as they cool!
Cool Before Serving
Once baked, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial—cooling helps them maintain their chewy texture and prevents them from falling apart when you dig in. Trust me, the wait is worth it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously rich flavor from the combination of chocolate and sweet cherries
- Quick and easy preparation—perfect for last-minute cravings or gatherings
- Chewy texture that keeps you coming back for more
- Versatile enough to swap in different mix-ins like nuts or dried fruits
- A crowd-pleaser that impresses both family and friends
- Great for sharing or enjoying as a special treat just for you!
Tips for Success
To ensure your chocolate cherry cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are my top tips! First, make sure your butter is really softened—like, leave it out for about 30 minutes before you start. This will help achieve that light, fluffy texture when creaming with sugar. Also, don’t skip the chilling step if you have time; letting the dough rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes helps the flavors meld and makes the dough easier to scoop.
When it comes to mixing, remember to fold gently to avoid overworking the dough. This keeps your cookies soft and chewy. And for storage, pop those cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay fresh for up to a week! You can also freeze them for later; just make sure to layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk about the numbers behind these delightful chocolate cherry cookies! Each cookie provides about 150 calories, which makes them a sweet treat that won’t completely derail your day. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keep in mind that these values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so consider these numbers as estimates. Enjoy your cookies with a little mindfulness, and remember that balance is key in every delicious bite!
FAQ Section
Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?
While fresh cherries are delicious, I recommend sticking with dried cherries for this recipe. They hold up better in the baking process and provide a chewy texture that complements the cookies perfectly. If you really want to use fresh, just be mindful that they contain more moisture and may alter the cookie’s texture.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough isn’t mandatory, but it does help intensify the flavors and makes it easier to scoop. If you have the time, I highly recommend letting it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, just go ahead and bake right away!
How do I know when my cookies are done baking?
You’ll know your cookies are ready when the edges look set and the centers are still slightly soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet, so don’t worry if they seem a bit underbaked! Overbaking can lead to dry cookies, and we definitely want to avoid that.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to the recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative with your mix-ins. Chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, would be a fantastic addition. Just make sure to adjust the amount of chocolate chips or cherries accordingly, so you don’t overwhelm the dough!
How should I store leftover cookies?
To keep your chocolate cherry cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you need to keep them longer, you can freeze them! Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
After you’ve baked and enjoyed your delicious chocolate cherry cookies, you might be wondering how to store the leftovers. If there are any left, that is! To keep them fresh and tasty, simply place your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for about a week—perfect for sneaking an afternoon treat or two!
If you want to save them for a longer period, you can absolutely freeze your cookies. Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper in between, so they don’t stick together. Then, pop them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll be good for up to two months! When you’re ready to indulge again, just take them out and let them thaw in the fridge overnight. You can also give them a quick zap in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to warm them up—just be careful not to overdo it, or you might end up with a cookie that’s more like a rock! Enjoy every last crumb!
Imprimer
Chocolate Cherry Cookies: 5 Irresistible Comfort Bites
- Temps Total: 27 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Delicious chocolate cherry cookies that combine sweet cherries with rich chocolate.
Ingrédients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Fold in chocolate chips and dried cherries.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- Adjust the amount of cherries to your taste.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 12 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 10g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 7g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 20g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 2g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 15mg
Mots-clés: chocolate cherry cookies
