Craving a delicious dessert that's both easy to make and incredibly satisfying? Look no further! These cherry chocolate cookies are the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and chocolaty goodness. This easy recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike, offering a quick dinner dessert or a delightful treat for any occasion. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these homemade cookies – they're guaranteed to become a new favorite!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cherries, chopped
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the Dough
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is where a hand mixer really shines!
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – a few lumps are okay!
Step 4: Mix in the Goodies
Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped cherries. The beautiful marbling of chocolate and cherry is part of the charm of these cookies!
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy!
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy these delightful cherry chocolate cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage.
Tips for the Best Cherry Chocolate Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Ensure your butter is truly softened; this will help create a smoother, more evenly textured dough.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet cookie, reduce the amount of sugar by ¼ cup.
Variations:
- Nuts: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch and flavor.
- Different Chocolate: Experiment with dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips.
- Citrus Zest: A little orange or lemon zest adds a refreshing twist.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 150-180 calories
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
These cherry chocolate cookies are a simple yet impressive dessert perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth. They are an excellent example of easy recipes that deliver big on flavor and texture. Enjoy the delicious homemade treat!