Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ultimate combination of sweet, chewy, and visually stunning. Bursting with the bright flavor of maraschino cherries and packed with rich chocolate chips, these cookies are a delightful twist on the classic chocolate chip favorite. Perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthday parties, or any time you want a colorful and delicious treat, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know — from selecting the best ingredients to baking tips, storage instructions, and even variations. Let’s dive into the sweet, cherry-filled goodness!
Why You’ll Love These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Festive Appearance – The pinkish dough with pops of red cherry pieces looks beautiful on any dessert table.
- Unique Flavor Combo – The sweet, slightly tangy cherries pair perfectly with rich chocolate chips.
- Easy to Make – This recipe is straightforward and beginner-friendly.
- Customizable – Works with white, dark, or milk chocolate chips and can be made gluten-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything required to make a batch of about 24 cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but enhances cherry flavor)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 (10 oz) jar maraschino cherries, drained, chopped, and patted dry
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, dark, milk, or white)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Cherries
Drain the maraschino cherries and chop them into small pieces. Use paper towels to pat them dry — excess liquid can make your cookies spread too much.
2. Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
4. Add Cherries and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
5. Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)
Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and intensify flavors.
6. Bake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Baking Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Dry the cherries well – Too much liquid will cause the dough to be sticky and make cookies spread flat.
- Don’t overmix – Once the dry ingredients are incorporated, stop mixing to avoid tough cookies.
- Use a cookie scoop – Ensures uniform size for even baking.
- Try white chocolate chips – They complement cherries beautifully for a sweet and creamy flavor.
Variations to Try
- White Chocolate Cherry Cookies – Swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips for a creamier, softer taste.
- Cherry Almond Cookies – Add 1/2 cup chopped almonds for crunch and extra nutty flavor.
- Gluten-Free Version – Replace all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free baking blend.
- Cherry & Dark Chocolate – The bitterness of dark chocolate balances the sweetness of cherries perfectly.
Serving Ideas
- Holiday Cookie Trays – The red and pink hues make these perfect for Christmas or Valentine’s Day.
- Gift Giving – Package them in clear treat bags with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Dessert Buffet – Serve alongside brownies, sugar cookies, and cupcakes for variety.
How to Store Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator – Keeps fresh for about 1 week; let them come to room temperature before serving.
- Freezer – Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Dough can also be frozen in scoops and baked later.
Nutrition Information (per cookie, approx.)
- Calories: 165
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 2g
- Sugar: 15g
(Values may vary based on ingredients used.)
Final Thoughts
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just pretty treats — they’re a nostalgic and flavorful dessert that combines chewy cookie texture, bursts of sweet cherry, and creamy chocolate goodness. Whether you make them for the holidays, bake sales, or just because, these cookies are bound to disappear quickly from the plate.
So grab a jar of maraschino cherries, a bag of chocolate chips, and get baking — your kitchen will smell amazing, and your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Festive and Flavorful Treat
Ingredients
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour • 1 tsp baking soda • 1 tsp salt • 1 cup butter, softened • ¾ cup granulated sugar • ¾ cup brown sugar • 2 eggs • 2 tsp vanilla extract • 2 cups chocolate chips • ½ cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped • 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt
- Cream butter and both sugars until fluffy
- Add eggs and vanilla, beat well
- Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients
- Fold in chocolate chips, chopped cherries, and walnuts
- Drop rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets
- Bake 9-11 minutes until edges are golden
- Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes
- Transfer to wire racks to cool completely
PREP TIME & NUTRITION: Prep Time: 15 mins, Cook Time: 11 mins, Total Time: 26 mins, Servings: 24, Calories: 140, Net Carbs: 18g, Fats: 8g, Protein: 2g