Brown Butter Cherry Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

Quick Brown Butter Cherry Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

Rich brown butter elevates ordinary cookies into an extraordinary culinary adventure, elevating classic flavors with its nutty depth and complex nuance.

Sweet cherries nestled among dark chocolate chunks create a symphony of contrasting tastes that dance across your palate.

The unexpected combination promises a sensory journey beyond traditional baking boundaries.

Each ingredient contributes its unique character, building layers of complexity that surprise and delight.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these cookies blur the line between comfort food and gourmet indulgence.

Warm, golden-edged cookies emerge from the oven, radiating an irresistible aroma that beckons you closer.

The marriage of caramelized butter, tart fruit, and intense chocolate promises a truly memorable treat.

Why You’ll Want Brown Butter Cherry Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

  • Elevate Flavor Complexity: The brown butter technique transforms ordinary cookies into extraordinary treats, creating a rich, nutty undertone that perfectly complements dark chocolate and sweet cherries.
  • Texture Sensation: Crafted with a magical combination of crispy edges and soft, chewy centers, these cookies deliver an irresistible mouthfeel that keeps you craving more with every single bite.
  • Gourmet Simplicity: Despite looking like a professional bakery creation, this recipe remains surprisingly easy to make, allowing home bakers of all skill levels to produce restaurant-quality desserts without intimidating techniques.
  • Seasonal Celebration: Fresh cherries bring a burst of summer brightness, making these cookies an ideal treat for picnics, gatherings, or spontaneous sweet moments that demand something special beyond ordinary chocolate chip cookies.

Ingredients for These Decadent Cookies

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Rich, nutty flavor from browning process; choose high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
  • Brown Sugar, Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create soft, chewy texture; use granulated and dark brown sugar.
Flour and Leavening:
  • Flour: Provides structure to cookies; all-purpose flour works best for classic texture.
  • Baking Soda, Salt: Helps cookies rise and enhances overall flavor; use fine sea salt for balanced taste.
Mix-Ins and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Eggs, Vanilla Extract: Adds moisture, binding, and deep flavor; use room temperature eggs and pure vanilla extract.
  • Dark Chocolate Chunks, Fresh Cherries: Brings intense chocolate richness and fruity brightness; choose high-quality dark chocolate and ripe, sweet cherries.

Instructions for Cherry Chocolate Cookies

Step 1: Create Golden Brown Butter

  • Slice butter into cubes
  • Place in heavy saucepan over medium heat
  • Stir continuously until butter foams and transforms to golden brown color
  • Transfer immediately to heat-safe bowl for cooling

Step 2: Prepare Baking Setup

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
  • Line baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Gather measuring tools and mixing bowls

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Sift these ingredients together in separate bowl:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Set aside for later mixing

Step 4: Blend Wet Ingredients

  • Whisk cooled brown butter
  • Add brown sugar and white sugar
  • Mix until smooth and creamy
  • Incorporate room temperature eggs
  • Add vanilla extract
  • Blend until silky and well combined

Step 5: Merge Dry and Wet Mixtures

  • Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture
  • Stir gently until just combined
  • Avoid overmixing to maintain soft texture

Step 6: Fold in Delicious Extras

Fold gently into cookie dough:
  • Dark chocolate chunks
  • Fresh cherries

Distribute evenly throughout mixture

Step 7: Shape Cookie Portions

  • Use ice cream scoop for consistent sizing
  • Drop 1/4-cup portions onto prepared baking sheet
  • Space cookies with room for spreading

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

  • Place in preheated oven
  • Bake 10-12 minutes
  • Watch for golden brown edges
  • Remove when bottoms are lightly colored

Step 9: Finishing Touches

  • Cool cookies on baking sheet briefly
  • Transfer to wire rack
  • Optional: Top with extra chocolate chunks
  • Let cookies cool completely

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

  • Plate your delicious homemade cookies
  • Share with friends and family
  • Store in airtight container if not serving immediately

Tips for Browning Butter Right

  • Butter Browning Technique: Brown butter slowly and carefully, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve a rich, nutty flavor without bitter notes.
  • Chocolate Chunk Distribution: Chop dark chocolate into uneven chunks for varied texture and melt pockets throughout the cookie.
  • Cherry Selection: Use fresh, ripe cherries and pat them dry to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy.
  • Chilling Dough Strategy: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and enhance flavor development.
  • Precise Baking Timing: Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking; remove when edges are golden but centers still look slightly soft for ultimate chewy texture.

Reheating & Storage for Chunk Cookies

  • Refrigeration: Stash cookies in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper, and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
  • Reheating: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft, gooey texture.

Ideal Pairings for Rich Chocolate Cookies

  • Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich dark chocolate and brown butter notes with a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, creating a luxurious dessert experience that balances the cookie's sweetness and depth.
  • Match with Creamy Vanilla Latte: The smooth, velvety coffee drink cuts through the cookie's richness while enhancing the chocolate and cherry flavors, providing a delightful warm contrast to the sweet treat.
  • Serve with Aged Port: The sweet, complex port wine harmonizes beautifully with the dark chocolate chunks and fresh cherries, offering a sophisticated pairing that elevates the cookie's nuanced flavors.
  • Complement with Almond Milk: A cool, nutty non-alcoholic option that softens the cookie's intensity and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, buttery texture.
  • Nutty Sensation: Replace dark chocolate chunks with chopped toasted almonds or pecans for a crunchy, earthy flavor profile that complements the brown butter's richness.
  • Tropical Burst: Swap fresh cherries with diced dried pineapple or mango pieces, adding a bright, sweet-tangy element that transforms the classic cookie into a summery treat.
  • Spiced Autumn Blend: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cardamom into the dry ingredients, creating a warm, cozy cookie that captures the essence of fall baking.
  • Salted Caramel Dream: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the cookies after baking and drizzle with homemade caramel sauce, elevating the sweet-savory balance and adding a luxurious finish.
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Brown Butter Cherry Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe

Brown Butter Cherry Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe


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4.5 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Indulgent brown butter cherry dark chocolate chunk cookies combine nutty, caramelized butter with rich chocolate and sweet cherries. Crisp edges and chewy centers make these cookies a luxurious treat that promises pure baking bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup brown butter
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) sugar

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Add-ins:

  • 1 ¼ cups dark chocolate chunks
  • 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved

Instructions

  1. Transform butter into a rich, nutty essence by melting it in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Swirl and stir constantly until the liquid transforms into a golden-amber hue with a captivating fragrant aroma. Immediately transfer the browned butter to a heat-resistant container to halt the cooking process and initiate cooling.
  2. Calibrate the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). While the butter cools, meticulously sift the flour, baking soda, and salt through a fine-mesh strainer, creating a uniform dry mixture.
  3. In a spacious mixing vessel, vigorously whisk the cooled brown butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture achieves a smooth, homogeneous texture.
  4. Incorporate room temperature eggs and vanilla extract, whisking with precision until the mixture becomes silky and fully integrated.
  5. Gently introduce the sifted dry ingredients into the wet composition, folding with a delicate touch until just combined. Avoid aggressive mixing to preserve the cookie’s tender crumb.
  6. Tenderly fold dark chocolate chunks and fresh cherries into the dough, ensuring even distribution without compromising the batter’s delicate structure.
  7. Deploy an ice cream scoop to portion the dough onto a prepared baking sheet, placing six cookies with ample spacing to allow for expansion during baking.
  8. Slide the cookies into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a slightly soft center.
  9. For an optional refinement, use a large circular mold to reshape the cookies immediately after removing from the oven. Embellish with additional chocolate chunks for enhanced visual and gustatory appeal.
  10. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet momentarily, then transition to a wire rack for complete cooling. Savor the harmonious blend of nutty brown butter, rich chocolate, and sweet cherries.

Notes

  • Elevate your baking game with this sophisticated twist on classic chocolate chip cookies, combining nutty brown butter, rich dark chocolate, and sweet cherries.
  • Brown butter adds a complex, caramel-like depth that transforms ordinary cookies into an extraordinary culinary experience.
  • Fresh cherries bring a burst of brightness and natural sweetness, perfectly balancing the rich chocolate and toasty butter notes.
  • Use high-quality dark chocolate chunks for maximum flavor impact and a luxurious melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Bake in small batches to ensure even cooking and maintain the perfect crisp-yet-chewy cookie consistency.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and enhance the cookies’ structural integrity.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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