These Easy Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are a fun twist on classic cookies! With sweet cherries and chocolate chips, they’re chewy and bursting with flavor.
Whenever I make these, my kitchen smells amazing, and I can’t help but taste the dough. Who can resist a cookie with cherries? 🍒 They’re perfect for sharing or just keeping for yourself!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Unsalted butter is ideal for cookies since you can control the saltiness. If you’re in a pinch, use margarine or even coconut oil for a dairy-free option. Just remember to soften it for better mixing!
Maraschino Cherries: These add color and sweetness! If you can’t find them, chopped dried cherries can work as a substitute, though they won’t be as sweet or juicy. Fresh cherries are also great if you want to cut down on sugar.
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are classic, but you could easily mix it up with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips. I love adding a mix of different chocolates for extra flavor.
Nuts: Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans add nice texture, but feel free to skip them or swap for sunflower seeds if you want a nut-free version!
How Do I Cream Butter and Sugar for the Best Cookies?
Creaming the butter and sugar properly is essential for light and fluffy cookies. Here’s how to do it:
- Use softened butter, which should feel slightly squishy but not melty. This allows air to get in.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter with sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, until it’s pale and fluffy.
- Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl halfway through to ensure everything gets mixed well.
Once you’re done, you’ll notice a noticeable change in color and texture—a must for perfect cookies!
How to Make Easy Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry
Optional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts or pecans)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes for preparation and 9-11 minutes for baking. Allow an additional 5 minutes for cooling on the baking sheet. In total, you’ll need about 30 minutes to make these delicious cookies!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the cookies bake evenly. While you wait, line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to incorporate everything.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until it’s blended smoothly with the mixture.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This step helps to ensure an even distribution of the leavening agent in the dough.
5. Mix It All Together:
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop once you see no dry flour left.
6. Add Chocolate Chips and Cherries:
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped maraschino cherries. If you’re using nuts, you can mix those in as well. Be careful not to crush the cherries too much!
7. Spoon the Dough onto Baking Sheets:
Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
8. Bake the Cookies:
Pop the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still look slightly soft—that’s how you know they’ll be chewy!
9. Cool the Cookies:
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps them firm up perfectly!
10. Enjoy!
When the cookies are cool, dive in and enjoy your chewy, flavorful maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies! You can share them with friends and family or keep them all for yourself; they’re just that irresistible!
These cookies are sure to be a hit with their delightful mix of sweet cherries and rich chocolate, making each bite a delightful experience!
FAQ for Easy Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Can I Use Fresh Cherries Instead of Maraschino Cherries?
Absolutely! You can use fresh cherries, but make sure to pit and chop them first. Keep in mind that fresh cherries are less sweet and won’t have the same vibrant color, so you may want to adjust the sugar slightly if you prefer a sweeter cookie.
How Can I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking!
Can I Make These Cookies Gluten-Free?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to choose a blend that includes xanthan gum to help mimic the texture of regular flour and achieve the right chewiness!
What’s the Best Way to Soft Bake These Cookies?
For softer cookies, take them out of the oven when they are still slightly underbaked in the center. They continue to cook on the baking sheet as they cool, resulting in perfectly chewy cookies!
