If you’re searching for that perfect sweet treat that blends a rich, indulgent flavor with a hint of tartness, this Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe is an absolute winner. Combining luscious dark chocolate chips with bright, chewy cherries creates a dynamic flavor dance in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or a lively gathering, these cookies never fail to impress with their tender texture and delightful balance of sweet and slightly salty notes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might seem straightforward, but each plays a critical role in crafting cookies that are perfectly soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. From the creamy butter that provides richness to the dried cherries that add bursts of sweet-tart goodness, every component is essential to make these cookies shine.
- All-purpose flour (1 ½ cups): The sturdy base that gives your cookies structure without weighing them down.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender crumb.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted butter, softened (¾ cup): Provides richness and moistness, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Brown sugar, packed (½ cup): Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note for depth.
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup): Gives just the right hint of sweetness and helps cookies crisp a little on the edges.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and adds tenderness to the dough.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Lifts the flavor and adds a warm, inviting aroma.
- Dark chocolate chips (1 cup): Choose 60-70% cocoa for a rich, bittersweet kick that complements the cherries perfectly.
- Dried cherries, roughly chopped (1 cup): Offer chewy bursts of tartness that brighten the cookie’s flavor.
- Chopped walnuts or almonds (optional, 1/3 cup): Add a lovely crunch and nutty background if you like texture contrast.
- Coarse sea salt (optional, 1-2 tablespoons): Sprinkled on top to bring a sweet-salty complexity that’s irresistible.
How to Make Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This foundational step ensures your cookies bake evenly and won’t stick. Next, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl—this dry mix guarantees your cookies have the perfect rise and balance of flavors. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter alongside the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer. This creamy blend is what gives the cookies their tender crumb and delightful sweetness. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, creating the luscious wet base for the dough.
Step 2: Combine the Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gently add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture a little at a time. Mixing just until everything comes together is crucial here—overmixing can lead to tough cookies instead of soft, tender ones. Once combined, stir in the dark chocolate chips, dried cherries, and if you’re opting for nuts, fold those in now. This part is so satisfying, watching the dough come alive with flecks of chocolate and bright pops of cherry.
Step 3: Form the Cookies
Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded blobs of dough 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. If you want to add a little extra pop of flavor, sprinkle each mound with a pinch of coarse sea salt. This clever step enhances the flavors beautifully by adding a contrast that makes the chocolate and cherry notes even more vibrant. It’s a kitchen hack you’ll want to remember!
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You’re aiming for golden edges with slightly soft centers because the cookies will continue to set as they cool, ensuring that tender, chewy texture all cookie lovers crave. Once baked, let the cookies rest on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This short pause helps them firm up just right without losing their delectable softness.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Now comes the absolute best part—enjoy them warm with your favorite drink. Whether it’s a cold glass of milk or a rich cup of coffee, these cookies provide the perfect companion. The marriage of tart cherries and dark chocolate creates a sensory experience that’s simply irresistible, and every bite feels like a little celebration for your taste buds.
How to Serve Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right before serving enhances the complex flavors, adding just a hint of savory that brightens the richness. You can also dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar for a pretty, festive touch that pairs beautifully with the dark chocolate.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert. For a warm treat, serve alongside a cup of hot espresso or chai tea to balance their sweetness with aromatic spice and bold coffee notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Try sandwiching two cookies with a smear of cream cheese frosting or mascarpone for a fancy twist that’s perfect for parties. Or arrange them on a dessert platter with fresh fruits like raspberries and mint leaves to add vibrant color and fresh contrast to the rich flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days, making them a fantastic option for weekday snacks or sweet treats anytime.
Freezing
If you want to prepare in advance, the dough balls can be frozen before baking. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When ready to enjoy, bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time without losing any of the deliciousness.
Reheating
Rewarm your cookies gently in a microwave for about 10 seconds or in a warm oven for a few minutes. This brings back that fresh-from-the-oven softness and melty chocolate goodness that makes every bite heavenly.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?
Absolutely! If you’re using fresh cherries, pit and roughly chop them, then gently pat dry to remove moisture. Fresh cherries can release juice while baking, which might affect texture, so drying them helps keep your cookies perfectly chewy.
Is it possible to make these cookies vegan?
Yes! Swap the butter with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free dark chocolate chips. Substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) to keep the dough binding nicely.
What type of dark chocolate works best?
Dark chocolate with 60-70% cocoa content strikes a great balance of richness and sweetness that complements the tart cherries. For a more intense flavor, you can go up to 80% cocoa, but it will be less sweet and more bitter.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts or almonds add a wonderful crunchy contrast to the soft, chewy texture of the cookies, making each bite even more exciting.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and develop a soft, chewy center with crisp edges.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the combination of deep, bittersweet dark chocolate and bright, juicy cherries, and this Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe captures that magic effortlessly. I encourage you to give this recipe a whirl, bake up a batch, and enjoy the comforting, luxurious flavors that only homemade cookies can bring. Trust me, once you try them, these will quickly become your go-to favorite snack for any occasion.
Print
Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies combine the rich, intense flavor of dark chocolate with the sweet-tart burst of dried cherries for an irresistible treat. With a perfect balance of chewy centers and lightly golden edges, these cookies are enhanced by optional crunchy nuts and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt for that perfect sweet-salty contrast. Ideal for a cozy snack or an indulgent dessert, they are easy to prepare and can be made vegan or allergy-friendly with simple substitutions.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (preferably 60-70% cocoa)
- 1 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped (or fresh cherries if in season)
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional, for added crunch)
For a little extra sweetness (optional):
- 1–2 tablespoons coarse sea salt (for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until fully combined.
- Combine the Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing. Stir in the dark chocolate chips, dried cherries, and optional nuts if using.
- Form the Cookies: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart. Optionally sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt on top of each dough ball to enhance the flavor.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve the cookies warm alongside a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. The delightful combination of dark chocolate and cherries makes these cookies a truly irresistible treat.
Notes
- If using fresh cherries, pit, chop, and dry them thoroughly to prevent excess moisture affecting cookie texture.
- For a richer, less sweet flavor, use dark chocolate with 70% or 80% cocoa content.
- Cookie dough can be prepared ahead and dough balls frozen. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
- To make vegan or allergy-friendly, substitute dairy butter with plant-based butter, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water, rested for 5 minutes).
