Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies combine the tart sweetness of maraschino cherries with rich dark chocolate in a delightfully chewy, buttery cookie. These treats offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making them an irresistible snack or dessert.

Ingredients
- 1 cup maraschino cherries (140g/5oz drained)
- 113 g unsalted butter (1 stick / ½ cup / 4oz)
- 225 g plain flour (all purpose) (1 ¾ cups / 8oz)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup white granulated sugar (135g / 4.8oz)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (50g / 1.8oz)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (semi-sweet) (180g / 6.4oz)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced) / 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with baking paper.
- Step 2: Drain the maraschino cherries and chop them into halves or quarters depending on their size. Place them between paper towels and press gently to remove excess juice.
- Step 3: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Swirl until melted and bubbling, then let it bubble until the bubbles turn foamy and the butter becomes amber brown. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Step 4: Slowly pour the browned butter into a large mixing bowl, holding back any burnt solids. Let it cool for 10 minutes.
- Step 5: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Step 6: Add both sugars to the browned butter and whisk until well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth.
- Step 7: Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a spatula, mixing until just combined.
- Step 8: Set aside a small handful each of the chocolate chips and chopped cherries. Fold the remaining chocolate chips and cherries into the dough until evenly distributed.
- Step 9: Using a 3-tablespoon scoop, form golf ball-sized dough balls and place them on the baking trays about 2 inches apart. Press any loose bits back into the dough balls.
- Step 10: Press a few reserved chocolate chips and cherry pieces lightly on top of each cookie for a pretty finish.
- Step 11: Bake for 12-14 minutes. Once out of the oven, you can gently swirl a round cookie cutter around each cookie to shape them neatly if desired.
- Step 12: Let the cookies cool on the trays for a few minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack. They will firm up and become crispy on the outside while remaining chewy inside.
- Step 13: Enjoy your Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies! Don’t forget to leave a comment and rating if you liked this recipe.
Tips & Variations
- For a softer cookie, reduce baking time by a minute or two.
- Use fresh or frozen cherries if you prefer, but reduce added sugar slightly to balance sweetness.
- Swap dark chocolate chips for milk or white chocolate chips for a different flavor.
- Toast the chopped cherries lightly in a dry pan to enhance their flavor before adding to the dough.
Storage
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Reheat in a warm oven for a few minutes to refresh their texture.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use canned cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Yes, canned cherries can work, but make sure to drain and dry them thoroughly to avoid soggy dough. Maraschino cherries offer a sweeter and distinct flavor that complements the chocolate well.
Why is the butter browned in this recipe?
Browning the butter adds a rich, nutty flavor and depth to the cookies that plain melted butter can’t provide. It enhances the overall taste and makes the cookies more aromatic.
Print
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 18–20 cookies 1x
Description
Delight in these Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies featuring rich browned butter, sweet maraschino cherries, and decadent dark chocolate chips. The cookies have a perfectly chewy center with crispy edges, enhanced by a delicate balance of sweet cherries and bittersweet chocolate in every bite. Easy to bake and ideal for sharing or enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Fruits
- 1 cup maraschino cherries (140g/5oz drained)
Butter
- 113 g unsalted butter (1 stick / ½ cup / 4oz)
Dry Ingredients
- 225 g plain flour (1 ¾ cups / 8oz)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup white granulated sugar (135g / 4.8oz)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (50g / 1.8oz)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (semi-sweet) (180g / 6.4oz)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) or 350°F. Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with baking paper for easy cookie removal and minimal sticking.
- Prepare Cherries: Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and chop them into halves or quarters depending on size. Place on a couple of sheets of paper towel and gently press with another sheet to absorb any excess juice, ensuring cookies don’t get soggy.
- Brown the Butter: Place the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Swirl occasionally as it melts and starts to bubble. Continue cooking until the butter foams and turns an amber brown color, infusing a nutty flavor to the cookies.
- Cool the Butter: Slowly pour the browned butter into a large mixing bowl, straining off any burnt solids. Set aside to cool for about 10 minutes before mixing with other ingredients.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for incorporation later.
- Combine Sugars and Butter: Add both the white granulated sugar and light brown sugar to the browned butter and whisk vigorously until combined smoothly. Add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, folding with a spatula using a gentle cutting motion until just combined, avoiding overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Incorporate Cherries and Chocolate: Reserve a small handful of chopped cherries and chocolate chips separately. Add the remaining cherries and chocolate chips to the cookie dough and fold gently until evenly distributed.
- Shape Cookies: Using a 3-tablespoon sized scoop, pack the dough tightly and form golf ball-sized dough balls. Place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Don’t worry if bits fall off; just press them back onto the dough.
- Top Cookies: Lightly press a few reserved chocolate chips and cherry pieces onto the top of each dough ball to create an attractive finish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are golden and centers set. Immediately upon removal, optionally use a round cookie cutter to swirl around each cookie to shape them perfectly round.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the trays for a few minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack using a spatula. The cookies will firm up as they cool, becoming crispy on the outside and chewy inside.
- Enjoy and Share: Once cooled, enjoy these delicious cookies with family and friends. Don’t forget to leave a comment and rating if you enjoyed making this recipe—it’s appreciated and helpful!
Notes
- Ensure cherries are well drained and patted dry to prevent sogginess in cookies.
- Browned butter adds a rich, nutty flavor but watch it carefully to avoid burning.
- Do not overmix dough once flour is added; overmixing can make cookies dense and tough.
- Chilling the dough before baking is optional but can help cookies hold their shape better.
- Use parchment or silicone baking mats for easiest cookie removal and cleanup.
- Cookies will be soft when warm but firm up on cooling; store in an airtight container to keep freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cherry chocolate chip cookies, browned butter cookies, homemade cookies, holiday cookies, chewy cookies, sweet cherry cookies

