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

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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)

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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).