Description
These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with cherry flavor. With chunks of sweet maraschino cherries and melty chocolate chips, they’re a fun twist on classic cookies — perfect for holidays, Valentine’s Day, or anytime you’re craving something unique.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour – measured correctly (spoon and level or weigh at 300g).
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch – optional, but helps keep cookies soft and thick.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – the leavening that keeps cookies chewy instead of cakey.
- ½ teaspoon salt – balances sweetness.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – room temperature for proper creaming.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar – gives crisp edges and sweetness.
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed – adds moisture and a chewy texture.
- 1 large egg + 1 extra yolk – creates richness and binds the dough.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – classic flavor foundation.
- ½ teaspoon almond extract – optional, but enhances the cherry flavor.
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped and well-drained – about 16–18 cherries, patted completely dry to prevent soggy cookies.
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips – or a mix of semisweet and dark for balance.
- Optional: 1–2 drops pink gel food coloring – for a fun bakery-style look.
Instructions
- Whisk dry ingredients – Combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugars – Beat until pale and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- Add eggs and extracts – Mix until smooth; scrape bowl sides.
- Incorporate dry mix – Stir until streaks disappear.
- Fold in chocolate chips – Reserve a few for topping.
- Add cherries gently – Avoid overmixing to prevent staining.
- Chill dough – At least 30 minutes (up to overnight).
- Scoop & place – Use cookie scoop; add chips on top.
- Bake – 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, edges set, centers soft.
- Cool – Rest 2 minutes on the pan, then transfer to racks.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT42M
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 155kcal
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg