The Best Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe Ever Made

Sweet chocolate cherry cookies combine rich, decadent flavors that dance across your palate with unexpected delight.

Soft, chewy textures promise a luxurious experience that elevates ordinary dessert moments into something extraordinary.

These magical treats blend deep cocoa undertones with bright, tangy fruit notes that create complex flavor profiles.

Bakers adore how simple ingredients reimagine into irresistible morsels that tempt even the most disciplined sweet lovers.

Each bite offers a harmonious balance between intense chocolate and vibrant cherry essence, delivering pure sensory pleasure.

Professional and home bakers alike find these cookies remarkably adaptable to different skill levels and ingredient variations.

Warm, freshly baked cookies invite comfort and connection, turning ordinary afternoons into memorable culinary adventures.

What Sets Chocolate Cherry Cookies Apart

• Decadent Flavor Explosion: These chocolate cherry cookies deliver an irresistible combination of rich cocoa and sweet-tart cherry, creating a sophisticated dessert that tantalizes taste buds with every bite.
• Bakery-Style Perfection: The meticulous technique of creating precise indentations and using a circular cookie cutter ensures professional-looking cookies that appear like they've been crafted by a skilled pastry chef.
• Quick and Elegant Dessert: With simple steps and minimal ingredients, these cookies transform basic pantry staples into an impressive treat perfect for unexpected guests or weekend baking adventures, requiring only about 30 minutes of active preparation time.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: The recipe offers flexible serving options- great for afternoon tea, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or as a delightful homemade gift that showcases your baking skills while providing a gourmet dessert experience.

Ingredients Needed for Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the chocolate cookies.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and dark color to the cookies.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and creates a light, tender texture.
• Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Butter, Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Create a rich, sweet base with deep caramel notes.
• Egg Yolks: Add richness, moisture, and help bind the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic flavor that complements chocolate.

• Dark Chocolate: Smooth base for ganache with deep, intense chocolate flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Creates silky, luxurious texture for the ganache.
• Cherry Preserves: Adds fruity, tart contrast to the rich chocolate cookies.

How to Bake Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Sea salt

Set the mixture aside for later use.

Step 2: Create Butter Base

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Beat on high speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Step 3: Add Moisture Makers

• Egg yolks
• Vanilla extract

Mix on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until thoroughly combined.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients.

Mix on low speed until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Foundations

Use a tablespoon-size cookie scoop to create 32 dough portions.

Roll each portion into a smooth ball.

Gently press the center of each ball to create a small indent.

Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour to firm up.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 7: Bake Cookie Bases

Arrange 8 cookies per baking sheet.

Bake for 9-11 minutes (10 minutes works best).

After removing from oven, re-press centers if needed.

Optional: Use a circular cookie cutter to shape perfect rounds while cookies are hot.

Step 8: Cool Cookie Foundations

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Craft Chocolate Cherry Ganache

In a medium bowl, place chopped chocolate.

Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until nearly boiling.

Pour hot cream over chocolate and stir until smooth.

Mix in cherry preserves until fully incorporated.

Step 10: Assemble Delightful Cookies

Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of ganache into the center of each cookie.

Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to set the ganache.

Step 11: Store and Enjoy

Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container.

Cookies will remain fresh for up to 3 days.

Tips for Better Chocolate Cherry Cookies Every Time

• Perfect Dough Consistency: Cream butter and sugars thoroughly until light and fluffy to ensure soft, tender cookies with a delicate texture.
• Precise Chilling Technique: Refrigerate cookie dough for exactly 1 hour to prevent spreading and maintain the cookies' shape during baking.
• Indent Mastery: Create a deep, clean center indentation using a ¼ teaspoon or the back of a small measuring spoon for uniform ganache placement.
• Ganache Smoothness: Stir chocolate and cream gently until completely smooth, avoiding rapid mixing that could introduce air bubbles.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper to preserve their delicate texture and prevent sticking.

Keeping Chocolate Cherry Cookies Fresh

• Refrigerate: Place cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 30 minutes. Warm briefly in a preheated 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft texture and bring out the rich chocolate and cherry flavors.

What to Enjoy with Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Pair with Sweet Red Wine: Indulge in a glass of rich, fruity red wine like port or a sweet Lambrusco. The wine's deep berry notes will beautifully complement the chocolate and cherry flavors, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve these decadent cookies alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The cool, smooth texture and classic vanilla flavor will perfectly balance the intense chocolate and tart cherry ganache.
• Brew Espresso Companion: Enjoy these cookies with a shot of bold espresso or a rich cappuccino. The strong coffee notes will cut through the sweetness, enhancing the chocolate's depth and providing a sophisticated flavor contrast.
• Create a Cheese Plate Partner: Add these cookies to a dessert cheese board with mild brie or creamy mascarpone. The subtle cheese flavors will highlight the cookie's rich chocolate and fruity cherry ganache, offering a gourmet tasting experience.

Unique Twists on Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Nutty Cherry Chocolate: Replace half of the flour with ground almonds for a rich, nutty texture. Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds on top of the ganache for extra crunch.
• Orange Chocolate Cherry: Add orange zest to the cookie dough and mix orange liqueur into the ganache. Garnish with candied orange peel for a citrusy kick.
• Dark Forest Cookies: Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate in the ganache. Add a splash of kirsch to intensify the cherry flavor. Dust with cocoa powder before serving for a dramatic finish.
• Espresso Cherry Delight: Mix instant espresso powder into the cookie dough. Swirl a small amount of coffee liqueur into the cherry ganache for a deep, complex flavor profile.

Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 39 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Chocolate cherry cookies bring rich, indulgent flavors from classic American baking traditions. Sweet cherries nestled in dark chocolate dough create irresistible moments of pure deliciousness you won’t be able to resist.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
• ¾ cup (168 g) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 egg yolks
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

Ganache and Topping Ingredients:

• 5 ounces (141 g) chocolate (Endangered Species Chocolate Vibrant Cherries + Dark Chocolate)
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons (90 milliliters) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (85 g) cherry preserves

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a delicate mixture of flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt in a medium bowl, ensuring a uniform blend. Reserve for later use.
2. Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy.
3. Incorporate egg yolks and vanilla extract, whipping until the texture transforms into a fluffy consistency.
4. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring on low speed until just incorporated.
5. Shape the dough into 32 uniform spheres, using a cookie scoop. Create a gentle indentation in the center of each ball using the back of a ¼ teaspoon.
6. Refrigerate the prepared dough for one hour to enhance flavor development and texture.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Arrange cookies with ample spacing, ensuring no more than 8 per sheet.
9. Bake for 10 minutes, achieving a perfect balance of crisp edges and soft centers.
10. Upon removal, delicately re-press the cookie centers to maintain the desired shape. Optionally, use a circular cutter to refine the edges while still warm.
11. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
12. For the ganache, place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl.
13. Heat heavy cream until it reaches a near-boiling point, then pour over the chocolate. Stir meticulously until a smooth consistency is achieved.
14. Blend cherry preserves into the ganache, ensuring complete integration.
15. Carefully spoon approximately one teaspoon of ganache into each cookie’s center.
16. Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to allow the ganache to set and stabilize.
17. Store the completed cookies in an airtight container, preserving their delectable quality for up to three days.

Notes

• Chill the cookie dough for an hour to enhance flavor and prevent spreading during baking.
• Create a perfect indent in cookie centers for maximum ganache holding capacity.
• Use high-quality chocolate and fresh cherry preserves for rich, authentic taste.
• Allow cookies to cool slightly on baking sheet before transferring to prevent crumbling.
• Refrigerate filled cookies briefly to help ganache set quickly and maintain elegant appearance.
• Store in airtight container to preserve texture and prevent moisture absorption.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 202
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg