Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you’re searching for a cookie recipe that delivers a pop of color, a burst of flavor, and a bakery-style thick, soft texture, these Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are exactly what you need. Tested across five rounds by the recipe developer, this treat balances the bright sweetness of maraschino cherries with the rich depth of semi-sweet chocolate chips. The result? A cookie that stands out on any dessert table and offers something slightly nostalgic, slightly whimsical, and completely irresistible.

Whether you’re baking for a birthday party, a holiday cookie tray, a bake sale, or simply craving a fun twist on a classic chocolate chip cookie, this recipe is a perfect choice. These cookies not only bake up beautifully thick but also hold their shape well, thanks to the essential chilling step. Each bite gives you a soft, tender crumb, pockets of melty chocolate, and subtle cherry flavor that never overwhelms.

This is the kind of recipe that makes bakers feel confident — reliable, consistent, and always impressive. Once you make a batch, they’ll quickly become a signature treat in your home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft, thick bakery-style texture
  The cornstarch and chilling time help create a thick, soft cookie that stays chewy long after baking.
• Beautiful pink color
  The pink gel food coloring gives these cookies a fun, vibrant look — perfect for holidays, themed parties, or gifting.
• Perfect cherry-to-chocolate balance
  The maraschino cherries introduce sweetness and moisture without overpowering the cookie.
• Simple, approachable instructions
  Even beginner bakers can follow this recipe successfully.
• Freezer-friendly dough
  Make ahead, freeze, and bake when needed — excellent for meal prep or last-minute gatherings.
• Crowd-pleasing flavor combination
  Chocolate and cherries are a timeless pairing, and these cookies showcase them beautifully.

Ingredients Breakdown

Servings: 24 cookies
Below are the exact ingredients used in the recipe, divided into logical categories for clarity.

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt

Mix-ins

• 2 cups (12 oz bag) semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for garnish
• 1 cup drained & finely chopped maraschino cherries, plus extra for garnish

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1¼ cups (267g) light brown sugar
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅛ tsp almond extract
• ¼ tsp pink gel food coloring

Tools & Equipment Needed

To make this recipe as smooth and enjoyable as possible, gather the following:

• Glass or stainless-steel mixing bowls
• Kitchen scale (highly recommended for accuracy)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Silicone baking mat or parchment paper
• Baking sheet(s)
• Cookie dough scoop (#40 scoop for 2-tablespoon portions)
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack
• Paper towels (for drying cherries)

Using the right tools ensures even baking, consistent cookie size, and a smoother prep process overall.

Step-by-Step Instructions

These steps follow the exact process provided in the recipe and maintain every detail to ensure perfect results.

1. Measure the flour accurately

This step is crucial for successful baking. If you have a kitchen scale, weigh out 360g of flour.

If measuring without a scale:

• Aerate the flour by fluffing it with a whisk or spoon.
• Spoon it into a measuring cup without tapping or packing.
• Level it with the flat edge of a butter knife.

This prevents dense, dry cookies caused by too much flour.

2. Prepare the cherries

Drain and finely chop the maraschino cherries.
Place them on a paper towel to absorb extra moisture. This prevents excess liquid from changing the dough texture.

3. Prepare your baking sheet

Line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.

4. Combine the dry ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together:

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking soda
• Salt

Set this bowl aside.

5. Cream the butter and sugars

In a separate larger mixing bowl, combine:

• Unsalted butter
• Light brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy, and creamy.

6. Add eggs and extracts

Mix in the:

• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Beat for 30 seconds to combine.

7. Add food coloring

Mix in the pink gel food coloring until you achieve your desired shade of pink. Gel coloring gives vibrant color with only a small amount.

8. Mix in dry ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until a thick, cohesive dough forms.

9. Add cherries and chocolate chips

Fold in:

• Finely chopped cherries
• 1 cup of the chocolate chips

Use a spatula for this step to avoid overmixing.

10. Form the dough balls

Use a #40 cookie scoop to scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie.

Press additional:

• Chocolate chips
• Chopped cherries

onto the outside of each dough ball for a bakery-style appearance.

11. Freeze the dough

Place the dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
This helps prevent spreading and ensures thick, chewy cookies.

12. Bake the cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).

Place 6–8 cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10–13 minutes.

Key signs of perfect doneness:

• Edges are set
• Centers look slightly underbaked
• Tops stay pink — avoid overbaking, which causes browning

They will continue baking on the hot sheet as they cool.

13. Add final chocolate chips

Once out of the oven, press extra chocolate chips into any bare spots for a polished finish.

14. Cooling

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.

Tips & Variations

1. Gluten-Free Option

Swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure.

2. Enhance the Cherry Flavor

For a stronger cherry presence, add an extra tablespoon of maraschino cherry juice — but note, this will slightly soften the dough.

3. Color Variations

While pink is iconic for these cookies, you can adjust the shade for themed events — darker pink, red for Valentine’s Day, or pastel for spring.

4. Chocolate Options

Substitute or mix:

• White chocolate chips
• Dark chocolate chips
• Mini chocolate chips

5. Add Nuts

Chopped almonds or pecans pair beautifully, though optional for those avoiding nuts.

6. Spice Twist

A tiny pinch of cinnamon can complement the cherry flavor subtly.

Flavor Profile & Pairings

(Per your request, no drink pairings are included.)

These cookies offer:

• A soft, tender crumb
• Pops of juicy maraschino cherry
• Rich, deep chocolate undertones
• Sweet, nostalgic flavors reminiscent of cherry cordial chocolates
• A slight almond aroma that enhances but doesn’t overpower

Great Side Pairings

• Vanilla ice cream
• Fresh berries
• Whipped cream
• A scoop of cherry sorbet
• Chocolate drizzle for plating

Nutritional Overview (Per Cookie)

Approximate values:

• 144 calories
• 23g carbohydrates
• 2g protein
• 5g fat
• 3g saturated fat
• 1g fiber
• 14g sugar
• 16mg cholesterol
• 64mg sodium

Make-Ahead & Meal Prep Tips

• Chill the dough for up to 72 hours before baking.
• Freeze portioned dough balls for up to 3 months; bake straight from frozen.
• Freeze baked cookies if desired — though storing them uncovered helps maintain texture.

FAQs

1. Why did my cookies turn brown instead of pink?

They likely baked too long. Pull them out when the centers look slightly underdone.

2. Can I skip the almond extract?

You can, but it enhances the cherry flavor beautifully.

3. Are the cherries supposed to be dried first?

Yes — drain and pat dry to prevent excess moisture in the dough.

4. Can I use liquid food coloring?

It won’t create the same vibrant color. Gel coloring is strongly recommended.

5. Do the cookies spread while baking?

Chilling the dough prevents spreading and keeps them thick.

Cooking Timeline (At a Glance)

Stage	Time
Prep Time	10 minutes
Chill Time	30 minutes
Bake Time	10–13 minutes per batch
Total Time	55 minutes

Serving Suggestions

• Stack them on a dessert board with chocolate-dipped cherries
• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
• Package in clear treat bags for gifting
• Add to a holiday cookie platter for color contrast
• Plate them with chocolate curls for a bakery-style finish

Recipe Variations

1. Chocolate Cherry Chunk Cookies

Swap chocolate chips for chopped chocolate bars.

2. White Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Replace semi-sweet chocolate with white chocolate for a sweeter profile.

3. Double Cherry Cookies

Add dried cherries along with maraschino for more tart contrast.

4. Cherry Almond Crumble Cookies

Top each dough ball with a small almond streusel before baking.

Ingredient Spotlight

Maraschino Cherries

These cherries bring vibrant color, moisture, and a burst of sweet, nostalgic flavor. To choose the best:

• Look for bright red color
• Avoid jars with cloudy liquid
• Store in the refrigerator after opening

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

They balance the sweetness of the cherries perfectly. Use a quality brand for best melt and flavor.

Pro Cooking Tips

• Use a kitchen scale for perfect flour measurement.
• Avoid overmixing once the flour is added.
• Always dry the cherries thoroughly.
• Push extra chocolate chips into the tops before baking.
• Bake at the lower end of the time range for vibrant color.
• Do not store covered — exposure to air keeps them from becoming too soft.

Storage & Freezing Guide

Short-Term Storage

Store uncovered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Freezing Dough

• Freeze dough balls on a baking sheet
• Transfer to freezer bags
• Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes

Freezing Baked Cookies

Freeze in a single layer, then move to an airtight container.
Thaw at room temperature.

Nutrition Estimate Table (Per Cookie)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	144
Carbs	23g
Protein	2g
Fat	5g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	14g
Sodium	64mg

Dietary Notes: Not gluten-free unless gluten-free flour is used; contains dairy and eggs.

Conclusion

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delightful twist on a timeless classic. With their bold color, rich chocolate, and sweet cherry flavor, these cookies capture attention from the very first glance. Whether you’re baking for a celebration or simply indulging your sweet tooth, this recipe delivers reliable, bakery-worthy cookies every time.

Enjoy making them, sharing them, and adding them to your favorite cookie rotation. And when you’re ready for more creative, flavorful baking inspiration, come back anytime — there’s always another delicious recipe waiting.

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