Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

The sweet burst of Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies creates an irresistible combination that tantalizes your taste buds with every bite. These vibrant red-speckled cookies offer the perfect balance between rich chocolate chunks and bright, juicy cherries, creating a dessert that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. Unlike traditional chocolate chip cookies, these treats bring a unique twist with their sweet cherry flavor and gorgeous pink hue. You’ll learn how to create the perfect texture—crisp edges with soft, chewy centers—while ensuring those beautiful cherries maintain their flavor and color throughout the baking process.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies will quickly become a household favorite for several compelling reasons. First, the visual appeal is undeniable—bright red cherry pieces create a beautiful contrast against the golden cookie base and dark chocolate chips, making them perfect for holiday trays, Valentine’s Day, or anytime you want to impress guests.

The texture achieves cookie perfection with slightly crisp edges that give way to soft, chewy centers. Each bite offers delightful contrast between the buttery cookie base, rich chocolate chunks, and sweet, juicy cherry pieces.

What makes these cookies truly special is their unique flavor profile. The sweetness of the maraschino cherries combines beautifully with the deep richness of chocolate chips, creating a sophisticated taste that elevates them beyond ordinary cookies. The hint of almond extract enhances the cherry flavor, creating a bakery-quality treat.

Best of all, despite their impressive appearance, these cookies are surprisingly simple to make with straightforward ingredients and techniques that even novice bakers can master.

Ingredients

For these spectacular Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll need:

• 2¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (165g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 jar (10oz/283g) maraschino cherries, drained and chopped (about 1 cup)

The maraschino cherries are the star ingredient—be sure to drain them thoroughly and pat them dry to prevent excessive moisture in the dough. For the best flavor contrast, use high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks rather than milk chocolate, which might overwhelm the delicate cherry flavor. The hint of almond extract is optional but highly recommended as it enhances the cherry flavor beautifully.

Pro Tips

Balance Moisture Content
The most critical technique for perfect Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies is properly preparing the cherries. After draining, place them on paper towels and gently press to remove excess liquid. This prevents the cookies from becoming too wet, which can lead to spreading and uneven baking. If your cherries are particularly juicy, consider adding an additional 2 tablespoons of flour to the dough to compensate.

Chill for Perfect Texture
Don’t skip chilling the dough for at least 1 hour before baking. This crucial step allows the flour to fully hydrate and prevents excessive spreading. The chilled dough creates that ideal texture contrast between crisp edges and soft centers. For even better flavor development, you can chill the dough overnight, which allows the cherry flavor to permeate throughout.

Watch Baking Time Carefully
These cookies bake slightly differently than standard chocolate chip cookies due to the moisture from the cherries. The perfect baking time is when the edges are just set and very lightly golden, while the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven. Overbaking will result in dry cookies that lose their delightful chewy texture.

Instructions

Step 1
Begin by properly preparing your maraschino cherries. Drain them thoroughly, then chop them into small pieces (about the size of chocolate chips). Place the chopped cherries on several layers of paper towels and gently press with additional paper towels to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Set aside.

Step 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This ensures your leavening agent is evenly distributed throughout the Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Step 3
Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, cream the softened butter with both sugars on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Don’t rush this step—proper creaming incorporates air into the dough, creating a better texture.

Step 4
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then add vanilla extract and almond extract, mixing until combined.

Step 5
Gradually add the flour mixture on low speed, mixing just until no dry streaks remain. Over-mixing at this stage can develop too much gluten, resulting in tough cookies rather than tender ones.

Step 6
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and the dried maraschino cherries by hand using a rubber spatula. This prevents crushing the cherries and maintains those beautiful red pieces throughout the dough.

Step 7
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours for enhanced flavor). This resting period is essential for perfectly textured Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Step 8
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough (about 1.5 tablespoons each) and place 2 inches apart on prepared sheets.

Step 9
Bake for 9-11 minutes, rotating pans halfway through, until the edges are set and lightly golden while the centers still look slightly underdone. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Variations

White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
For an elegant twist on Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies, substitute white chocolate chips for the semi-sweet chocolate. The creamy sweetness of white chocolate pairs beautifully with the cherries, creating an even more striking visual contrast. Add ½ teaspoon of almond extract (instead of ¼) to enhance the cherry-almond flavor profile that complements white chocolate so well.

Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies
For a more decadent version, replace standard chocolate chips with equal amounts of chopped dark chocolate (70% cacao). The sophisticated bitterness of dark chocolate balances the sweetness of the maraschino cherries perfectly. For an extra touch of luxury, add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the flour mixture for a chocolate-based cookie with cherry chunks throughout.

Cherry Almond Cookies
For those who prefer a nutty crunch, add ½ cup of chopped almonds to the dough along with the chocolate chips. The almond flavor naturally complements the cherries, and the textural contrast adds another dimension to these already spectacular cookies. Increase the almond extract to ½ teaspoon for a more pronounced almond flavor.

Storage and Serving

These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The cherry moisture helps them remain soft and chewy longer than traditional chocolate chip cookies. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They’ll maintain quality for up to 3 months and can be thawed at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

For a spectacular dessert presentation, sandwich vanilla or cherry ice cream between two cookies to create indulgent ice cream sandwiches. Chill them for about 30 minutes before serving to allow them to set.

Serve these cookies slightly warm for the ultimate experience—microwave room temperature cookies for 8-10 seconds to recreate that fresh-baked feel with melty chocolate chips. They pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk, hot chocolate, or even a dessert wine for adult gatherings.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Fresh cherries aren’t recommended for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies as they contain too much moisture and lack the distinctive flavor and color. If you prefer a natural alternative, try dried cherries rehydrated in cherry juice, though the vibrant color will be less pronounced.

Why did my cookies spread too much?
Excessive spreading usually occurs if the cherry pieces weren’t dried properly or if the dough wasn’t chilled enough. Make sure to pat the cherries very dry with paper towels and chill the dough for at least an hour before baking.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If freezing, portion the dough into balls first, then thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

How do I prevent the cherries from bleeding color throughout the dough?
To maintain distinct cherry pieces, thoroughly pat them dry before adding to the dough and fold them in gently by hand rather than using a mixer. For even less color bleeding, briefly rinse the cherries under cold water before drying.

Can I make these cookies without almond extract?
Yes, you can omit the almond extract or substitute additional vanilla extract. However, the almond extract beautifully enhances the cherry flavor, so it’s highly recommended for the best taste experience.

Conclusion

These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are comfort food at its finest — vibrant jewels of sweetness that transform an everyday cookie into a memorable treat. The combination of juicy cherry pieces and rich chocolate chips creates a playful balance of flavors and textures that appeals to both sophisticated palates and those simply seeking a delicious cookie. It’s the kind of dish that brings a touch of whimsy and celebration to any occasion, whether you’re serving them at a holiday gathering or enjoying them as a colorful pick-me-up with your afternoon coffee.

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