Name: Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 26 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ¼ cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled; ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon baking powder; 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature; 1 cup light brown sugar packed; ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs room temperature; 2 Tablespoons Maraschino Cherry juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips divided; ¼ cup heavy whipping cream; 1 Tablespoon shortening or coconut oil; 10 ounce jar Maraschino Cherries without stems

Ever craved a cookie that’s bursting with rich chocolate and a surprise cherry center? This Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe will totally satisfy that sweet tooth, combining a soft cocoa cookie with a luscious cherry ganache. Let me show you how to make these irresistible treats that are perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself!

The image shows several round chocolate cookies with a soft texture, each having three layers: the base is a thick dark brown cookie, the middle layer is a glossy dark chocolate or chocolate ganache filling placed in the center, and the top layer is a bright red cherry placed in the middle of the filling. The cookies are decorated with thin lines of milk chocolate drizzled diagonally across the top. The cookies sit on a textured baking sheet with scattered dark chocolate chips around them. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made these Chocolate Cherry Cookies more times than I can count, and every batch ends up disappearing in no time. The balance between cocoa and the bright cherry filling is just dreamy—totally worth the little extra effort in assembly.

Soft, Moist Texture: Cocoa-infused dough keeps each cookie tender and melt-in-your-mouth delightful.
Unique Cherry Ganache Center: A luscious surprise inside every cookie that adds a burst of flavor.
Beautiful Chocolate Drizzle: A decorative finish that looks as good as it tastes.
Perfect Shareable Batch: Makes 24 cookies—ideal for gifting or keeping close for yourself!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, here’s a little heads-up on some key ingredients you’ll want to keep an eye out for when shopping. Using quality chocolate chips and fresh maraschino cherries really makes all the difference in flavor and texture.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a neat pile of unsweetened cocoa powder, a teaspoon of baking soda, a small pile of fine salt, a pinch of baking powder, a chunk of unsalted butter softened to room temperature, a heap of light brown sugar, a heap of granulated sugar, two large whole eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright red maraschino cherries without stems, a small white ceramic bowl with deep red maraschino cherry juice, a small white ceramic bowl containing golden vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl holding semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl filled with heavy whipping cream, a small white ceramic bowl with a tablespoon of coconut oil, all ingredients arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The foundation of our dough, providing structure and chewiness.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds deep chocolate flavor without extra sweetness.
Baking soda, baking powder, and salt: Help cookies rise and balance flavors perfectly.
Unsalted butter: Gives tenderness and richness; make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
Light brown sugar and granulated sugar: A combo that adds moisture and subtle caramel notes.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and add a bit of richness.
Maraschino cherry juice: Infuses the dough with cherry flavor—a lovely twist you’ll notice.
Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and rounds out the flavor profile.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Divided use for ganache filling and drizzle topping—choose good-quality for best results.
Heavy whipping cream: Key for making that silky, smooth chocolate ganache inside.
Shortening or coconut oil: Keeps chocolate drizzle glossy and smooth once set.
Maraschino cherries without stems: Sweet, juicy, and perfect for adorning each cookie’s center.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

These Chocolate Cherry Cookies are already delicious, but the best part is making them your own. Whether you love a bit more cherry or want a dairy-free twist, there’s plenty of room for personalization.

Dairy-Free Delight: I swapped the butter for vegan butter and used coconut cream instead of heavy whipping cream once, and the cookies came out just as rich and satisfying!
Cherry Boost: For a burst of flavor, try folding chopped maraschino cherries directly into the dough before baking. It adds a delightful surprise in every bite.
Seasonal Switch-Up: In winter, I sometimes replace maraschino cherry juice with a splash of cherry syrup or even a flavored liqueur for an adult twist.
Chocolate Variety: Feel free to experiment by mixing in dark or milk chocolate chips if you prefer a different chocolate intensity in your drizzle or ganache.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe

The image shows a white plate with five round, dark brown cookies arranged closely together. Each cookie has a smooth, glossy dark chocolate center topped with a bright red cherry with a stem. On top of each cookie, thin lines of drizzled chocolate create a decorative pattern. Around the plate, there are several more bright red cherries scattered, and a white bowl filled with more cherries is visible in the background on the left. The surface under the plate has a white marbled texture with a soft beige cloth nearby and a few dark chocolate chips near the front edge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Heat the Oven

I always start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper — it makes cleanup a breeze and ensures the cookies won’t stick. Then, I preheat the oven to 350°F; this temperature is perfect for baking the cookies evenly, giving them that soft yet slightly firm texture.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, I whisk together 3 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon baking powder. This ensures all the leavening and cocoa are evenly mixed for consistent flavor and texture throughout the dough.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Using a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup packed light brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar on medium speed. Beat for about 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is smooth and fluffy—it should look lighter in color and feel soft to the touch. This step is crucial for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Cherry Essence

Next, I beat in 2 large room-temperature eggs, 2 tablespoons of maraschino cherry juice, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract on medium speed until everything is fully incorporated. The cherry juice adds a subtle, bright note that perfectly complements the chocolate richness.

Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, mixing well after each addition. This helps avoid overmixing and keeps the dough smooth and perfectly textured for soft cookies.

Step 6: Shape Your Cookies with Love

I like to scoop out golf ball-sized portions of dough using a cookie scoop, then roll each one smoothly between my hands. After placing them 2 to 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet, I press my thumb gently into the center of each ball to create an indentation—this is where the luscious ganache will nestle perfectly later on.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pop the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake the cookies for 11 minutes. You’re aiming for cookies that have just spread a little and feel slightly firm on top but stay soft inside. As they bake, the kitchen will fill with a warm cocoa aroma that’s simply irresistible!

Step 8: Cool Before Adding Ganache

Once baked, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This brief cooldown helps them finish setting up. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely—this prevents the ganache from melting when applied.

Step 9: Whip Up the Silky Chocolate Ganache

In a small bowl, place ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Heat ¼ cup heavy whipping cream in the microwave for about 20 seconds until hot, then pour it over the chocolate chips. Let it sit for a minute before stirring vigorously until you get a smooth, glossy ganache that’s perfect for filling those cookie centers.

Step 10: Fill Each Cookie with Ganache and a Cherry

Spoon about ½ teaspoon of the ganache into each cookie’s indentation, spreading it out gently. Top each one with a maraschino cherry, pressing it lightly into the ganache so it sits snugly in the center. This combination creates a beautiful balance of tart cherry and rich chocolate.

Step 11: Drizzle on More Chocolate Goodness

Mix the remaining ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon shortening or coconut oil in a small dish. Heat for 30 seconds, stir, then heat another 15 seconds until smooth. Transfer this melt to a small Ziplock bag, seal, and snip a tiny corner off. Drizzle over each cookie for a decorative, glossy finish that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.

Step 12: Let Set and Enjoy!

Allow the chocolate drizzle to set before serving or storing your cookies. These 24 treats keep perfectly in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days—though, trust me, they rarely last that long!

Top Tip

Getting the perfect texture and flavor in your Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe can be a delightful adventure! Here are some tips I've learned that truly elevate these cookies to irresistible treats.

Perfect Indentation: Press your thumb gently but firmly into each dough ball. This creates the ideal nest for the cherry ganache to sit without spilling over during baking.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temperature butter and eggs to ensure a smooth, creamy dough that bakes evenly and stays soft.
Chocolate Ganache Magic: Let the cream sit on the chocolate chips for a full minute before stirring to get that glossy, silky ganache without graininess.
Drizzle Technique: Use a Ziplock bag with a tiny corner snipped for easy, controlled chocolate drizzling that looks elegant and professional without any mess.

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe

The image shows two small round chocolate dough balls placed on light brown parchment paper on a baking tray with a slightly worn metallic look. A woman's hand is pressing down on one of the dough balls with the thumb, making a slight indentation in the soft, dark brown dough. The scene is simple with the parchment paper and tray filling most of the frame. The focus is on the texture of the dough and the gentle press from the woman's hand. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

If you want to jazz them up even more, consider adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds for an added crunch. You can also place a small fresh cherry on top of the chocolate ganache if you prefer a fresher fruit note.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a rich hot chocolate, or even a cup of black coffee or espresso for those who love a bittersweet balance. For a special occasion, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or a simple whipped cream topping to complement the cherries and chocolate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Chocolate Cherry Cookies in a single layer inside an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay fresh and soft for up to 3 days — perfect for nibbling throughout the week or bringing as a sweet gift.

Freezing

To freeze, allow the cookies to cool completely after decorating. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

If you want to warm your cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds to bring back that soft, melty feeling. Be careful not to overheat, or you might melt the cherry ganache or the chocolate drizzle.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cherries instead of Maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries can be used, but they don’t have the same sweetness or syrupy juice that Maraschino cherries provide, which helps flavor the dough and make the ganache extra luscious. If using fresh cherries, consider adding a bit of cherry syrup or extra sugar for sweetness.

How soft are these cookies after baking?

They have a soft, slightly chewy texture with just a little firmness on the outside. The insides stay tender thanks to the cocoa powder and the ganache center adds a gooey surprise.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the butter with vegan butter and use coconut cream instead of heavy whipping cream for the ganache. Make sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips as well.

Why add shortening or coconut oil to the chocolate drizzle?

Adding shortening or coconut oil helps keep the drizzle smooth and shiny after it sets, preventing it from becoming too hard or brittle, and it makes drizzling much easier.

Final Thoughts

Making these Chocolate Cherry Cookies is truly a joy, from mixing the rich cocoa dough to that magical cherry ganache center. They fill your kitchen with wonderful aromas and bring smiles with every bite. Whether you're baking for a crowd or a special moment at home, these cookies always feel like a warm hug in dessert form. Give them a try, and don’t forget to share your baking stories—I’d love to hear how your batch turns out!