Maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies are a delightful twist on a classic. Chewy, chocolatey, and studded with sweet cherries, they’re festive, flavorful, and perfect for the holidays.
Merry cherry cheer!
These cookies are chewy and rich with melty chocolate, and each bite has a bright pop of maraschino cherry. They’re an easy way to add color and nostalgia to your holiday cookie tray without relying on peppermint.
They also make excellent cookies to leave out for Santa.
Maraschino cherries carry a fun, nostalgic sweetness and vibrant color. For this recipe I used classic maraschino cherries, but feel free to use luxardo cherries or any high-quality preserved cherries you prefer. I like the bright pink, lively look of traditional maraschinos for a festive finish.
Serving these cookies warm, perhaps with a small measure of bourbon nearby for the adults, makes them especially cozy and celebratory.
The contrast of chewy cookie, gooey chocolate, and sweet cherry is exactly what I’m after. The dough is based on a trusted cookie base that yields soft, slightly underbaked centers and golden edges — the perfect canvas for cherries and chocolate.
These cookies look festive and bright, like holiday jewels. They’re a great alternative when you want seasonal colors without peppermint — a cheerful cookie for cookie swaps or your holiday cookie plate.
Here we are — and they’re delicious.
These cookies are simple to make and yield exactly the cherry-chocolate flavor you want. I don’t fully dry the cherries; I remove them from the juice and pat them fairly dry with paper towels so they aren’t too wet in the dough. Press them gently with the towel to remove excess moisture, then chop and toss into the batter.
Milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips all work well. Semi-sweet usually complements the cherries nicely, but use what you love.
The finishing touch is a light sprinkle of flaky salt on top — the sweet-and-salty contrast elevates the flavors and makes these cookies irresistible.
’Tis the season!
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Ingredients
- 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ sticks (12 tablespoons) of salted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, patted dry and chopped
- flaked salt, for topping
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
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In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the egg and egg yolk until combined, then add the vanilla.
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Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and the chopped, drained cherries.
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Scoop or roll dough into balls about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons in size and place them roughly 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
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Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies are just set at the edges but still soft in the center. Sprinkle with flaky salt and let cool completely before serving.
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Ho ho ho.