There is nothing like the smell of baking on a cold winter day. These chocolate cherry cookies are the ultimate cozy treat for your family. They look fancy but are actually very simple to make.

You only need about 30 minutes to make these happen. The tart cherries perfectly balance the deep, dark chocolate. Your kitchen will smell like a dream in no time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is a total winner for busy families. It uses simple pantry staples that you likely already have. The rich cocoa base stays soft and chewy for days.

These cookies are perfect for your holiday guests. Kids love the chocolate chips, and adults love the sophisticated cherry flavor. It is a crowd-pleasing dessert that never fails.

Simple Method

Making these cookies is a breeze, even for beginners. You just cream the butter, mix the dry ingredients, and fold. There is no need to chill the dough today.

The dough is easy to handle and scoops beautifully. You can have a warm batch of chocolate cherry cookies ready fast. Even if you are new to baking, you can do this.

Ingredients You’ll Need

We are using mostly basic staples with a few special touches. Fresh, high-quality cocoa makes a big difference here.

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup dried tart cherries, roughly chopped

Step-by-Step

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to remove lumps.
Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
Using a spatula, manually fold in the chocolate chips and chopped dried cherries until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Using a standard cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers still appear slightly soft.
Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire cooling rack.

Best Ways to Enjoy It

Serve these cookies warm with a tall glass of cold milk. They are also wonderful with a hot cup of coffee. The creamy chocolate melts perfectly in your mouth.

For a special date night, serve them with vanilla bean ice cream. You can also pack them into pretty tins for gifting. Your friends will definitely ask for this recipe.

Storage & Reheating

Keep your leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and soft for up to five days. You can also freeze the baked cookies for a month.

If you like them warm, pop one in the microwave for five seconds. This makes the chocolate chips gooey and delicious again. It is like they are fresh from the oven.

Tips for Best Results

Don’t skip sifting the cocoa powder to avoid bitter lumps.
Use room temperature eggs so the batter mixes smoothly.
Roughly chop the dried cherries so they distribute evenly.
Use parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Bake until the edges are just set for a soft center.
For the holidays, double the batch for cookie exchanges.
Add a sprinkle of sea salt to elevate the chocolate flavor.

Ways to Switch It Up

Swap semi-sweet chips for white chocolate for a creamy look.
Use dried cranberries if you cannot find tart cherries.
Add a half cup of chopped walnuts for a nice crunch.
Substitute gluten-free 1-to-1 flour to make these allergy-friendly.

Common Questions

Can I use fresh cherries instead?

It is best to use dried cherries for this recipe. Fresh cherries have too much moisture and will make the dough soggy. Dried cherries give that perfect chewy bite.

How do I know when they are done?

The edges should look firm and set. The centers might still look a little soft or underdone. They will firm up perfectly as they cool on the pan.

I hope these cookies bring a little extra warmth to your winter. They are so fun to bake with the kids. Enjoy every chocolatey bite!

— Lidia