These Easy Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are sweet, chewy, and so fun! With bright red cherries mixed into chocolatey goodness, they’re a treat for your eyes and taste buds! 🍒
Whenever I bake these, my kitchen smells amazing! They’re super easy to whip up, and honestly, I can’t help but sneak a few before they’re even cool. Enjoy with a glass of milk and smile! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Unsalted butter gives you control over the cookie’s saltiness. If you’re in a pinch, you can substitute with margarine or coconut oil, but the texture might differ slightly.
Sugars: A mix of granulated and brown sugar adds different flavors and textures. If you only have one type, you can use just brown sugar for a chewier cookie or all granulated for a crisper one.
Maraschino Cherries: These are the stars of the show! If you prefer a different fruit, drained pineapple or dried cherries can make for a fun twist, but they alter the flavor profile.
Chocolate Chips: Semisweet chips are classic, but feel free to mix it up with dark chocolate or even white chocolate chips for a different taste.
How Do I Get the Perfect Cookie Texture?
The key to the right texture in cookies is in the mixing method and baking time. Here’s how to ensure they turn out just right:
- Beat the butter and sugars well until fluffy. This incorporates air and makes for a lighter cookie.
- Don’t overmix once you add the flour. Stir just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Keep an eye on your baking time! 9-12 minutes will give you soft centers. If you like them firmer, add a couple of minutes.
Let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them firm up without becoming hard.
Easy Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped (reserve some whole cherries for decoration)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cookie recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 9 to 12 minutes to bake. Plus, you’ll want to let them cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. Overall, you can expect a total time of about 30 minutes before they are ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly. While it’s heating, you can prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This makes clean-up easier and prevents sticking.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use a mixer to cream these together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. It’s important because this step incorporates air into the batter, which helps your cookies rise nicely.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute the baking soda evenly, which is key for a good rise in the oven.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing—we want your cookies to be soft and chewy, not tough!
6. Fold in Chocolate Chips and Cherries:
Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and the chopped maraschino cherries. Be careful not to crush the cherries too much—you want lovely little bits of fruit throughout the cookies!
7. Shape the Cookies:
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart as they will spread a bit while baking.
8. Add Decorations:
If you want to make your cookies look extra special, press a whole maraschino cherry on top of each cookie before baking. This is totally optional but adds a nice touch!
9. Bake the Cookies:
Place your baking sheet in the oven and bake the cookies for 9 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them, and look for golden brown edges while the centers should look set yet soft. Remember, they’ll continue to harden a little as they cool!
10. Cool and Enjoy:
Once they’re lovely and golden, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Now, it’s time to enjoy these chewy, chocolatey treats with bursts of sweet maraschino cherry flavor!
Happy baking!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Different Types of Cherries?
Absolutely! While maraschino cherries give a sweet, bright flavor, you can also use fresh or frozen cherries. Just make sure to pit and chop them before adding. Keep in mind, fresh cherries might release more moisture, so you might want to reduce the overall liquid in your recipe slightly.
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months! Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
How Can I Make These Cookies Chewier?
For a chewier cookie, try replacing half of the granulated sugar with brown sugar. Additionally, underbaking them by a minute or two will also help achieve that soft, chewy texture you’re aiming for!
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance! Chill it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking or freeze it for up to 3 months. If frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before scooping and baking, or bake directly from frozen, just adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.
