These cherry chocolate chip cookies are sweet, chewy, and filled with chocolate and candied cherries. A fun twist on a beloved classic!
Cherry chocolate chip cookies combine the timeless appeal of classic chocolate chip cookies with a delightful fruity twist. The cherries add a burst of sweetness and moisture, making these cookies soft and chewy with a burst of unexpected flavor. The contrast of the rich, semi-sweet chocolate chips and the tart cherries is what makes these cookies so special.
What I love about these cookies is that they are just as easy to make as the classic chocolate chip cookie, but the cherries give them a little something extra. If you’ve ever been on the hunt for a dessert that balances richness and brightness, then this is it. Plus, the recipe uses basic pantry ingredients that you likely already have at home. It’s the perfect treat when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to make a huge effort.
I often make these cookies when I need a quick dessert for a gathering or when I want a homemade treat for myself. It’s simple to whip up in just under 30 minutes from start to finish, and the combination of the sweet cherries and chocolate is always a crowd-pleaser. You can make the dough ahead of time, and it stores well in the fridge if you want to bake a few cookies at a time. If you ask me, it’s the perfect balance of indulgent and fresh.
Love cookies? Be sure to also try Grinch Cookies, Lorna Doone Cookies, Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, or Lemon Blueberry Cookies!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Soft, chewy cookies with a crisp edge - the best kind of cookies!
- This is an easy no-chill cookie recipe.
- A kid-friendly recipe.
- Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies bring together to great friends: cherries and chocolate!
- It's a very flexible recipe - try adding a handful of chopped nuts, swapping the chocolate chips for butterscotch chips, or using raisins instead of candied cherries.
- Ready in just 15 minutes.
- Freezable cookie dough.
Ingredients
- Candied Cherries - Candied cherries (also called glacé cherries) are cherries that have been simmered in syrup and are bright red.
- Flour - Use regular plain flour/all-purpose flour.
- Butter - If you're using salted butter, you don't need to add any more to the batter. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to the batter.
- Brown sugar and white sugar - the mix of the two sugars are perfect for chewy cookies.
- Egg - one large egg helps bind the ingredients and get the cookie structure.
- Baking soda - aka bicarbonate of soda, not baking powder.
- Almond extract - The almond flavor works well with the cherries. You can substitute pure vanilla extract.
- Salt - add a pinch of salt if using unsalted butter.
- Chocolate chips - Use chips or chunks. I use semi-sweet, but you can swap to your favorite chips.
See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.
What are candied cherries?
Candied cherries (also called glacé cherries) are fresh cherries that have been simmered in thick sugar syrup until all the natural moisture in the cherries is replaced by the syrup. This results in bright red candied cherries.
You can even try making your own candied cherries!
Instructions
If you're wondering how to make this cherry chocolate chip cookie recipe, don't worry, it's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Stir the flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
Add the butter and both sugars to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then beat in the vanilla.
Gradually beat in the flour mixture.
Gently stir in the chocolate chips and chopped candied cherries.
Drop rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake at 375F/190C for 8-10 minutes or until golden at the edges.
Variations
- For Christmas, try adding some green candied cherries too, for a festive color.
- Add nuts: Try adding chopped walnuts or pecans for a little crunch.
- Use dark chocolate: If you prefer a less sweet cookie, go for dark chocolate chips.
- White chocolate chips: For a creamier, more decadent flavor.
- Dried cherries: If you don’t have candied cherries, dried cherries work too.
- Add oats: For a chewy, hearty texture, fold in some oats.
- Coconut: Add shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
- Almond extract: Replace the vanilla with almond extract for a nutty, aromatic flavor.
- Spices: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a little warmth.
- Double the chocolate: Add both chocolate chips and chopped chocolate for extra indulgence.
Recipe Tips
Don't overbake the cookies. The middles should be set but not browned in order to get that classic chewy cookie texture!
FAQ
The type of sugar used will determine if your cookies are chewy or crispy. White sugar is for crispy cookies, while brown sugar makes them chewy. Using a mix of both white and brown sugar makes chewy cookies with crispy edges.
📖 Recipe
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Cookie sheet
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter 1 stick, softened
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar packed
- 6 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 6-ounce package
- ½ cup candied cherries chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C.
- Stir the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Add the butter and both sugars to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then beat in the vanilla.
- Gradually beat in the flour mixture.
- Gently stir in the chocolate chips and chopped candied cherries.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden at the edges. Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Angela
What a fun and delicious take on chocolate chips cookies. The cherries added so much flavor!
Christina
What a unique cookie! Loved the addition of candied cherries!Easy and tasty.
Liz
These were fabulous! I made them with both red and green cherries to make them extra festive!!
Janessa
Loved the flavour of cherries in these chocolate chip cookies! I'll be making them again soon.
Gloria
This recipe reminded me of those chocolate covered cherries I ate when I was a kid. All the delicious flavours in a cookie version. So good.