Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! When it comes to desserts, few combinations are as classic and complementary as chocolate and cherry. And today, we’re taking that beloved pairing and transforming it into a truly indulgent treat: Decadent Chocolate Cherry Cookies. These aren’t just cookies; they’re rich, fudgy, and studded with bursts of sweet-tart cherries, making them an absolute delight for any chocolate and fruit lover.

Why I Love This Recipe

What’s not to love about a cookie that delivers intense chocolate flavor with a delightful fruity surprise? I am completely smitten with Decadent Chocolate Cherry Cookies because they offer a sophisticated twist on a classic chocolate cookie. The rich, deep chocolate base provides the perfect backdrop for the juicy, slightly tangy dried cherries, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures in every bite. They’re surprisingly easy to make, yet they taste incredibly gourmet, making them perfect for holiday cookie platters, gifting, or simply treating yourself to a moment of pure chocolatey indulgence. Plus, the vibrant red of the cherries against the dark chocolate makes them absolutely beautiful!

The Enduring Charm of Chocolate and Cherry

The pairing of chocolate and cherry has a long and celebrated history in confectionery and baking, most famously in desserts like Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte). The deep, sometimes slightly bitter notes of chocolate provide a perfect contrast to the bright, sweet, and tart flavors of cherries. This combination creates a complex and balanced taste experience that appeals to a wide range of palates.

In cookie form, this classic duo comes alive in a portable and satisfying way. Chocolate cherry cookies leverage the rich cocoa base to highlight the fruit, offering bursts of chewiness and intense fruity flavor. This recipe embodies that timeless appeal, ensuring every cookie is a decadent indulgence that feels both familiar and special, perfect for satisfying a sophisticated sweet tooth.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create these truly decadent Chocolate Cherry Cookies:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed recommended for darker color and milder flavor)
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate)
• 1 cup dried cherries, chopped if large

Swaps and Notes

• Butter: Ensure your butter is properly softened to room temperature, but not melted. This is crucial for proper creaming with the sugars.
• Sugars: The combination of granulated and light brown sugar contributes to both the texture (chewy edges, soft center) and depth of flavor. Packed light brown sugar adds moisture.
• Cocoa Powder: Dutch-processed cocoa powder is highly recommended here. It has a smoother, less bitter chocolate flavor and creates a darker, richer color. Natural cocoa powder will work but may result in a lighter color and a slightly more acidic flavor.
• Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are classic, but dark chocolate chips will offer a more intense chocolate flavor. You can also use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter cookie.
• Dried Cherries: Dried cherries are key for their concentrated flavor and chewy texture. You can use sweet or tart dried cherries based on your preference. If you can’t find dried cherries, dried cranberries (Craisins) would make a good substitute, though the flavor profile will differ slightly.
• Espresso Powder (Optional): A teaspoon of instant espresso powder can enhance the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee.
• Almond Extract (Optional): A tiny splash (1/4 teaspoon) of almond extract can complement the cherry flavor beautifully.

Steps for the Recipe

Let’s get these chocolatey, fruity wonders baking!

1. Prepare Oven & Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Add Egg & Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
6. Fold in Chocolate Chips & Cherries: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped dried cherries until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Chill Dough (Recommended): Cover the cookie dough bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much and intensifies the flavor. You can chill for up to 24 hours.
8. Scoop & Bake: When ready to bake, scoop out cookie dough using a 1.5 to 2-tablespoon cookie scoop. Place the cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake: Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly crinkled, but the centers still look soft and fudgy. Do not overbake! They will continue to set as they cool.
10. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes (they are delicate when hot) before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Butter & Egg: Ensures smooth creaming and a uniform dough.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing after adding flour develops gluten, which can make the cookies tough. Mix only until the flour streaks disappear.
• Do NOT Overbake: For fudgy, chewy cookies, pull them from the oven when they still look slightly underdone in the center. They will firm up as they cool.
• Parchment Paper is a Must: These cookies can be sticky and fudgy, so parchment paper ensures easy removal and cleanup.
• Chill the Dough: This step is highly recommended as it helps prevent spreading, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies, and allows flavors to meld.
• Chop Cherries: If your dried cherries are large, chopping them ensures you get cherry in every bite.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Decadent Chocolate Cherry Cookies are fantastic on their own, but here are some delightful pairings:

• With Milk or Coffee: A cold glass of milk, a warm cup of coffee, or an espresso perfectly complements the rich chocolate and fruit flavors.
• Ice Cream: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean or cherry ice cream.
• Dessert Platter: A beautiful addition to any cookie platter, especially during the holidays. They pair well with other chocolatey treats like These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs Are My Favorite Sweet Obsession or The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made (and I’ve Made a Lot).
• Gifts: Package them in decorative bags or tins for a lovely homemade gift during any season.

Storage and Leftover Tips

Decadent Chocolate Cherry Cookies stay wonderfully fresh and chewy for days!

• Room Temperature: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: These cookies freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
• Freezing Dough: You can also freeze the raw cookie dough balls. Scoop them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2-4 minutes to the baking time.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you enjoyed creating these decadent chocolate and cherry cookies, you might also like these other irresistible sweet treats:

• For another classic chocolate chip cookie experience, check out These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites Are My Favorite Little Treat to Bake Anytime.
• If you love fun and colorful cookies, my These Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies Are My Favorite Way to Bake Up Instant Joy are fantastic.
• And for a quick and easy no-bake option that never fails, you can’t go wrong with These Old-School No-Bake Cookies Never Fail Me (and I’ve Made Them 100 Times!).

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Final Thoughts

Decadent Chocolate Cherry Cookies are a celebration of a classic flavor combination, delivered in a rich, fudgy, and utterly satisfying cookie. They’re surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, proving that sometimes, the simplest things are the most luxurious.

I hope you give this amazing recipe a try and experience pure chocolate-cherry bliss! Let me know in the comments below if these become your new favorite cookie, or what other fruit and chocolate pairings you love. I always love hearing from you! Happy baking!