Cookies are a beloved treat around the world, with each recipe offering a unique twist on the traditional. One cookie recipe that stands out for its delightful combination of fruity and rich chocolate flavors is Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies. This recipe takes the classic chocolate chip cookie to a whole new level by incorporating the sweet, tangy flavor of maraschino cherries alongside the rich, melty goodness of chocolate chips. The result? A decadent and flavorful cookie that is perfect for holiday gatherings, family treats, or any time you’re craving something sweet and different.
This variation on the classic cookie offers a deliciously unique flavor profile, thanks to the cherries that add a burst of color and a slightly tart contrast to the sweetness of the cookie dough. Whether you’re a fan of fruit-flavored desserts or simply looking for a fun twist on your typical chocolate chip cookies, this recipe is a must-try.
In this article, we will guide you through every step of the recipe, from gathering the ingredients to baking your cookies to perfection. Along the way, we’ll also provide some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies turn out as delicious as possible. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why this combination of cherries and chocolate chips works so well:
- Sweet and Tangy Balance: Maraschino cherries are sweet with a slightly tart edge. When combined with the rich chocolate chips, they create a perfect balance of flavors that’s both familiar and exciting.
- Visual Appeal: The bright red cherries add a pop of color to the cookies, making them stand out on any cookie tray. They’re especially festive for holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or birthdays.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: These cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with texture from both the chocolate chips and the maraschino cherries. The cherries add a juicy, slightly firm bite that contrasts with the smooth chocolate and dough.
- Versatile: While maraschino cherries are often associated with holiday baking, you can enjoy these cookies year-round. They’re also perfect for special occasions like bake sales, parties, or family gatherings.
Ingredients for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
To make these cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base of your cookie dough, giving it structure and texture.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread evenly while baking.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors of both the chocolate and cherries.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: The fat in the butter creates a soft and chewy texture.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight crispiness to the outside of the cookies.
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar: The molasses in brown sugar adds a bit of depth and richness to the flavor.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs provide structure and moisture to the dough.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A classic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookies.
- ½ teaspoon almond extract: Optional, but almond extract pairs beautifully with the cherries for extra flavor.
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped: Adds a juicy and slightly tangy element to the cookies.
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips: These provide the signature chocolatey goodness that pairs perfectly with the cherries.
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that complements the cherries and chocolate.
Equipment Needed:
- Electric mixer or stand mixer (optional, but helps with the dough)
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon (for even cookie portions)
How to Make Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Cherries
Start by draining the maraschino cherries. Place them in a fine mesh strainer or on a paper towel to remove excess liquid. It’s important to dry the cherries thoroughly, as excess moisture could affect the dough’s consistency and cause the cookies to spread too much. Once the cherries are well-drained, chop them into small pieces (about 4-5 pieces per cherry) to ensure an even distribution throughout the dough.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This helps prevent the cookies from sticking and ensures they bake evenly. If you have multiple baking sheets, it’s best to rotate them halfway through the baking time for the most consistent results.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the dry ingredients are well-combined and helps evenly distribute the baking soda throughout the dough, which helps the cookies rise properly.
Step 4: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process helps incorporate air into the dough, resulting in a soft, chewy cookie. The creaming process usually takes about 3-4 minutes, but don’t rush it.
Step 5: Add the Eggs and Extracts
Once the butter and sugars are creamed together, add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using). Mix until the dough is smooth and fully combined.
Step 6: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed to avoid flour flying out of the bowl. Once everything is combined, you may need to use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure all the flour is incorporated into the dough.
Step 7: Add the Cherries, Chocolate Chips, and Nuts
Once the dough is fully combined, gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts (if using). Be careful not to overmix at this stage. You want the cherries and chocolate to be evenly distributed throughout the dough, but you don’t want to break up the cherries too much.
Step 8: Scoop the Dough
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. The dough may be a bit sticky, but that’s okay! If you find it hard to scoop, you can refrigerate the dough for 10-15 minutes to firm it up.
Step 9: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Keep a close eye on the cookies towards the end of the baking time, as they can go from perfectly baked to overdone very quickly.
Step 10: Let the Cookies Cool
Once the cookies are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. After that, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up and ensures the chocolate chips don’t melt onto your hands.
Tips for Perfect Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Don’t Skip Draining the Cherries: It’s crucial to thoroughly drain the maraschino cherries before chopping and adding them to the dough. Too much liquid from the cherries can cause the cookies to spread too much and become too thin.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): If you find the dough is too soft to handle or scoop, refrigerating it for 10-15 minutes will make it easier to work with and help prevent the cookies from spreading too thin during baking.
- Customize the Chocolate: If you want a richer chocolate flavor, consider using dark or semisweet chocolate chips instead of the typical milk chocolate. You can also add a mix of different chocolate varieties for added depth of flavor.
- Add More Fruit: If you love the combination of fruit and chocolate, feel free to add extra maraschino cherries or even throw in some dried cranberries or raisins for added texture and flavor.
- Storage: These cookies stay fresh for several days in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze the dough in a log or freeze individual baked cookies.
Why You’ll Love Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect marriage of flavors and textures. The cherries add a unique twist to the classic chocolate chip cookie, while the chocolate chips provide that sweet, melty indulgence everyone loves. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a special occasion, or simply to enjoy with a glass of milk, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.
The balance between the fruity cherry flavor, the richness of the chocolate, and the chewiness of the cookie dough makes every bite a satisfying experience. The bright pop of color from the cherries makes these cookies a showstopper on any dessert table, while the delicious flavor profile ensures they’ll disappear in no time.
The History Behind Maraschino Cherries in Baking
Maraschino cherries, known for their bright red color and sweet, tangy flavor, have been a popular ingredient in baking and desserts for over a century. Originally made by soaking cherries in maraschino liqueur, these cherries underwent a process of preservation that made them both visually striking and easy to store for long periods. Today, maraschino cherries are typically preserved in a sugary syrup, making them sweeter and more accessible for use in a variety of recipes, from cocktails to cookies. Their unique combination of tartness and sweetness pairs perfectly with chocolate, which is why they’re such a popular addition to recipes like Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies. Understanding their history not only enhances our appreciation for this ingredient but also adds a bit of nostalgia to our baking, reminding us of the timeless appeal of cherry-infused treats.
Ideal Occasions for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies aren’t just delicious—they’re also versatile enough to be enjoyed on a wide range of occasions. They make for an excellent addition to holiday cookie trays or bake sales, as their vibrant red cherries give them a festive flair. During the winter holiday season, the colorful cherries contrast beautifully with the warm golden cookie dough, making them a standout on dessert tables. They’re also perfect for birthday parties, especially if you’re looking for a cookie that’s not just tasty but visually exciting for both kids and adults. For casual gatherings or afternoon tea, these cookies are a guaranteed hit. Their chewy texture and rich chocolate flavor offer something for everyone, making them ideal for any occasion where you want to serve a crowd-pleasing treat.
Baking with Kids: A Fun Family Activity
Baking Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies can be a fun and rewarding activity to do with children or family members. With their vibrant color and the simple step-by-step process, kids will love helping to drain and chop the cherries, as well as scooping the dough onto the baking sheets. The visual appeal of these cookies, thanks to the bright red cherries and melty chocolate chips, will spark excitement in young bakers. Plus, since the dough is easy to handle and doesn’t require any special equipment, children can take part in every stage of the process. Involving kids in baking not only teaches them basic cooking skills but also creates lasting memories of time spent together in the kitchen. Once the cookies are baked, the whole family can enjoy the results of their efforts with a fresh batch of homemade, cherry-infused chocolate chip cookies.
Final Thoughts
The Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie is a fun and tasty twist on the traditional chocolate chip cookie. The combination of sweet cherries and rich chocolate chips creates an irresistible flavor that’s both comforting and exciting. With a soft and chewy texture, these cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy family gathering or a festive holiday celebration.
With simple ingredients and easy preparation steps, this recipe allows you to create a cookie that’s both flavorful and visually appealing. So go ahead—grab those maraschino cherries and get baking! Your taste buds will thank you.