Craving a sweet treat that's both easy to make and incredibly satisfying? Look no further! These chocolate cherry cookies are the perfect answer. They're delightfully chewy, bursting with juicy cherries and rich dark chocolate, making them an ideal dessert or afternoon pick-me-up. This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike – it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Get ready to enjoy the best homemade cookies you've ever tasted.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cherries, chopped (or fresh cherries, pitted and halved)
Instructions:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer works best, but a hand mixer will do the job just fine.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
- Stir in Chocolate & Cherries: Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped cherries.
- Scoop & Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. Keep a close eye on them – oven temperatures can vary!
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened – this ensures that it creams properly with the sugars, resulting in lighter and fluffier cookies.
- 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 at least 30 minutes before baking. This also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Adjust Baking Time: Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust the baking time as needed.
Variations:
- Nuts: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
- Different Chocolate: Experiment with different types of chocolate, such as dark chocolate chunks or milk chocolate chips.
- Citrus Zest: Add a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest for a bright, citrusy twist.
- Spices: A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg adds warmth and complexity.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200 (depending on size and ingredients)
These delicious chocolate cherry cookies are a fantastic addition to any recipe collection. They're perfect for sharing (or not!), and the ease of preparation makes them ideal for any occasion. Enjoy!