If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that is both delightfully unique and irresistibly tasty, the Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. With tender bites studded with luscious maraschino cherries and melty chocolate chips, these cookies bring together the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Every mouthful feels like a celebration, making these cookies an unforgettable treat to bake and share with those you love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but carefully chosen to create the ultimate chewy, flavorful cookie experience. Each one contributes something special, from the brightness of cherries to the richness of chocolate chips, ensuring every bite is perfectly balanced.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The base that provides just the right chew and structure to the cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise subtly and develop a tender crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and makes the cookies wonderfully moist.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: Imparts deep caramel notes and contributes to a soft texture.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: For that perfect crunch around the edges.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Adds warmth and enhances the cookie’s overall flavor.
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips: Melts in pockets throughout the cookie, introducing rich bursts of chocolate.
- 3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry: The star of the show, bringing a sweet, fruity pop in every bite.
How to Make Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures your cookies bake evenly, achieving that golden-brown perfection without drying out. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep the cookies from sticking and to make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This blend ensures that the leavening is evenly distributed so your cookies rise consistently and have a tender crumb with no salty surprises.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a mixer, beat the softened butter with the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process is crucial: it traps air in the dough, helping your cookies rise and develop a wonderfully soft texture.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to make sure everything is fully emulsified. Then, add the vanilla extract, which will sneak in subtle depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet batter. Mix just until everything is combined — overmixing can make your cookies tough, so keep it gentle for that perfect tender bite.
Step 6: Fold in Cherries and Chocolate Chips
Finally, lovingly fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips. The cherries should be well-drained and patted dry so they don’t add extra moisture, and the chocolate chips bring those melty pockets of joy in every bite.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft. This ensures chewy centers with crisp edges.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This brief resting helps the cookies set and finish baking gently.
How to Serve Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To add an extra festive touch, sprinkle a few mini chocolate chips or place a single maraschino cherry atop each cookie right after baking. This not only looks inviting but layers additional bursts of flavor that guests will love.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine alongside a classic glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of hot coffee or tea. The creamy drinks harmonize perfectly with the cookie’s sweet fruitiness and rich chocolate.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, consider sandwiching the cookies with a dollop of whipped cream or cherry jam between two cookies to create delightful cookie sandwiches. Alternatively, serve them on a pretty platter with fresh strawberries or cherries for a charming dessert spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and chewy for up to one week. Layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their shape.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking by placing them on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring them into a zip-top freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake them straight from frozen, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze well too — wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To refresh chilled or frozen cookies, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This restores their softness and revives the melty texture of the chocolate chips, making them taste freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh cherries for maraschino cherries?
Fresh cherries have a very different texture and moisture content compared to maraschino cherries, which are sweeter and softer. Using fresh cherries may add excess moisture, making the cookies spread too much. If you want to experiment, try chopping and pitting fresh cherries well and reducing other liquid ingredients slightly.
What kind of chocolate chips work best?
Semisweet chocolate chips are ideal for balancing the sweetness of maraschino cherries. However, feel free to get creative with dark chocolate for a richer flavor or milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter treat.
Why is it important to pat dry the cherries before adding?
Maraschino cherries are packed in syrup, which can add extra moisture to the dough and cause cookies to spread too much or become soggy. Patting them dry ensures the proper texture and structure of your cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for the best results. Keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about one week. Beyond that, they might start to lose their soft, chewy texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something special and full of heart, the Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is truly a delight you won’t regret making. It’s a fun twist on traditional cookies, bursting with flavor and perfect for any occasion where you want to impress with sweetness and charm. Grab your mixing bowl, invite a friend or two, and dive into this joyful recipe — you’ll be making these cookies again and again!
Print
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies feature a unique twist by incorporating crushed frosted animal cookies into both the crust and the cheesecake filling, combined with fresh strawberry puree for a rich, creamy, and fruity dessert that is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups crushed frosted animal cookies
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Cheesecake Filling
- 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup strawberry puree (fresh or frozen strawberries blended)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup crushed frosted animal cookies
Toppings and Garnish
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1/2 cup crushed frosted animal cookies (for garnish)
- Whole frosted animal cookies (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Mix the 2 cups of crushed frosted animal cookies with the melted butter until well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9-inch springform pan to form the crust. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the sour cream, strawberry puree, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until everything is well incorporated.
- Incorporate Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully mixed into the batter before adding the next. Once all eggs are incorporated, gently fold in 1 cup of crushed frosted animal cookies to add texture and flavor.
- Bake the Cheesecake: Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the prepared crust in the springform pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes until the cheesecake center is set but still slightly jiggly. After baking, turn off the oven and crack the door open. Let the cheesecake cool inside the oven for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
- Chill the Cheesecake: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to set fully.
- Add Toppings: Just before serving, spread one cup of whipped cream evenly over the top of the chilled cheesecake. Garnish with 1/2 cup crushed frosted animal cookies and decorate with whole frosted animal cookies for a festive and appealing finish.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to ensure a smooth cheesecake filling.
- Chilling the cheesecake overnight enhances flavor and texture, so plan ahead.
- You can substitute the frosted animal cookies with any similar crunchy, sweet cookies if unavailable.
- Carefully fold in the crushed cookies to maintain texture without overmixing.
- The strawberry puree can be made fresh from strawberries or use frozen thawed berries blended until smooth.
