Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
You’re in for a treat! Maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies are literally the best baking experience. Once you get a whiff of those sweet cherries blending with warm, melted chocolate, your hearts (and tummies) will just melt. These cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor. Trust me, you’ll want to whip up a batch just for yourself—though you might end up sharing them!
Table of Contents
What Is Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies?
So, let’s chat about these delightful goodies. Maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies are a fun twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie we all know and love. They feature vibrant maraschino cherries—those sweet, bright-red cherries you often see in desserts—mixed in with rich chocolate chips. The result? A perfect balance of sweetness, a soft texture, and a burst of fruity flavor that just makes you smile. You’ll find these cookies are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make!
Ingredients Overview for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to gather before we get our bake on:
- Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for that perfect creamy blend. Make sure it’s not melted!
- Brown Sugar: This adds rich sweetness and a bit of caramel flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: A nice balance with the brown sugar.
- Eggs: Two large eggs help bind everything and add moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: Don’t skip this—it adds warmth and depth!
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of our cookie, giving it structure.
- Baking Soda: This makes our cookies fluffy and helps them rise.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all those sweet flavors.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet or dark, whichever you prefer!
- Maraschino Cherries: Chopped into small pieces, these will be our star ingredient!
Optional Ingredient Substitutes:
- If you’re out of unsalted butter, coconut oil can be a great substitute.
- Feel free to switch up the chocolate type; white chocolate or milk chocolate works wonderfully too!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Stir in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add in the vanilla extract.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Cherries: Once evenly mixed, fold in the chocolate chips and chopped maraschino cherries. Make sure they’re well distributed throughout the dough!
- Scoop onto Baking Sheet: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Space them a bit apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden. The centers might look a little soft—that’s okay!
- Cool Down: Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Suggestions
These maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies are delicious enjoyed warm with a glass of milk. You can also serve them at parties or bake sales. Try layering them in a cellophane bag tied with a cute ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift! If you’re feeling adventurous, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert.
Tips For The Perfect Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for the best mixing.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix until just combined to keep your cookies tender.
- Chill the Dough: If you prefer thicker cookies, pop the dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Storage: Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Q&A Section
1. Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino?
Yes! However, make sure to pit and chop them finely, and be aware that fresh cherries may add more moisture.
2. How do I know when they’re done baking?
The edges should be lightly golden, while the centers may still look a bit underbaked. They’ll firm up as they cool.
3. Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! You can scoop the dough and freeze it on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag once frozen for later baking.
4. What’s the best way to store these cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If they last that long, you can also freeze the baked cookies for up to three months.
Why You’ll Love It
Maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies are not your average sweet treat. The bright pop of the cherries and the richness of the chocolate create a delightful combo that you can’t resist. Each bite is soft and chewy, and they’re a total crowd-pleaser! Perfect for making special moments even sweeter.
Behind The Scenes
When developing this recipe, I spilled a few cherries here and there and had to rethink my measurements a couple of times! But let me tell you, those “mistakes” turned into a happy accident as I learned just how much fruit you could pack in. If you want to see more fun recipes I’ve tried (and maybe a few flops), check out my Pinterest page for inspiration: My Recipe Cast. I hope you enjoy giving these cookies a go as much as I have!
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened Ensure it's not melted.
- 3/4 cup Brown Sugar Adds rich sweetness.
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar Balances the sweetness.
- 2 large Eggs Bind ingredients together.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Adds warmth and depth.
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour Base of the cookie.
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda Makes cookies fluffy.
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt Enhances flavors.
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips Semi-sweet or dark.
- 1/2 cup Maraschino Cherries, chopped Star ingredient!
Optional Ingredient Substitutes
- 1 cup Coconut Oil Can substitute for unsalted butter.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Stir in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mix to the wet ingredients.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped maraschino cherries until evenly mixed.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them apart.
Baking
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden. The centers may look a little soft.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
