Introduction
Making Chocolate Cherry Cookies was one of the most delightful experiences in my baking journey! From the rich chocolate dough to the luscious ganache filling, every step was a treat. The combination of chocolate and cherry is always a winning pair, but when put together in a cookie form, it’s nothing short of magical. My family was absolutely smitten with the result—soft, fudgy cookies with a hint of tart cherry in the middle. It’s a flavor combination that everyone in the house could enjoy, from the kids to the adults. These cookies disappeared quickly, and I couldn’t wait to share the recipe!
Why You’ll Love Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Chocolate Cherry Cookies are a delectable treat that will leave anyone with a sweet tooth craving more. The perfect balance between the richness of chocolate and the tartness of cherries makes these cookies a must-try. The gooey chocolate ganache in the center adds an extra layer of indulgence, making them perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday gathering or a cozy evening at home. This recipe yields soft, chewy cookies that melt in your mouth, and they’re simple enough to make but look impressive enough to serve at a party.
Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
- Chocolate and cherry: A classic combination that never goes out of style.
- Decadent ganache: The rich chocolate cherry ganache filling adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
- Chewy texture: The cookies themselves are soft and chewy with a melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Customizable: You can decorate the cookies with crushed freeze-dried strawberries or a maraschino cherry for added flair.
- Perfect for special occasions: Whether you’re hosting a gathering or want to treat yourself, these cookies are the ideal dessert.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cookies:
- 1 1/2 cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
- 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Cherry Ganache:
- 5 ounces dark chocolate (e.g., Endangered Species Vibrant Cherries + Dark Chocolate), chopped
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (90 ml) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (85 g) cherry preserves
Instructions
- Make the Chocolate Cookies
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy.
Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes).
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. - Shape and Chill: Scoop the dough into 32 portions using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop. Roll each portion into a ball and use a 1/4 teaspoon to press an indent in the center.
Place the cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour. - Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the chilled cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, 8 per sheet.
Bake for 9-11 minutes. Immediately press the centers again with a 1/4 teaspoon if the indents have puffed up.
Optionally, use a circular cookie cutter to gently reshape the cookies while they are still warm.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Make the Chocolate Cherry Ganache
Add the chopped chocolate to a medium bowl.
Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until just about to boil. Pour it over the chocolate and stir until smooth.
Stir in the cherry preserves until well combined. - Assemble the Cookies
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of ganache into the center of each cookie (or more if it fits).
Chill the assembled cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow the ganache to set.
Nutrition Facts (Per Cookie)
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including chill time)
How to Serve
Chocolate Cherry Cookies can be served in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas:
- On their own: Perfect with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.
- As a dessert platter: Serve alongside other cookies and treats for a festive dessert spread.
- With whipped cream: Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream on the side for a more indulgent treat.
- Garnish: Top with crushed freeze-dried strawberries or a maraschino cherry for extra flair.
Additional Tips
- Chill the dough: Be sure to chill the dough for at least 1 hour before baking to achieve a chewy texture and prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Use quality chocolate: The chocolate you choose for the ganache will significantly impact the flavor, so opt for a high-quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa.
- Customize the ganache: If you want a more intense cherry flavor, you can add a little more cherry preserves to the ganache.
- Don’t skip the indent: Pressing the center of each cookie ensures that the ganache has a place to sit, giving each cookie that signature appearance.
- Serving suggestions: These cookies are great for holiday gifting or special occasions like birthdays or celebrations.
FAQ
- Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and chill it up to 24 hours in advance. Just bake and fill with ganache when you’re ready to serve. - Can I use a different type of fruit preserves?
Absolutely! You can swap cherry preserves with other fruit preserves like raspberry, strawberry, or blueberry. - How do I store these cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. - Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies without the ganache for up to 2 months. Let them thaw, then add the ganache. - What can I substitute for the egg yolks?
For an egg-free version, you can try using 1/4 cup of applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water). - Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch-process?
Dutch-process cocoa powder works best in this recipe for its smooth texture and rich flavor, but you can substitute regular cocoa powder if needed. - Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, resulting in chewy, thicker cookies. - Can I make these cookies without the ganache?
While the ganache adds a luxurious touch, you can skip it for a simple chocolate cookie. You can also add chocolate chips instead. - How do I ensure my cookies bake evenly?
Make sure to place your cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and leave enough space between each cookie to allow for even spreading. - What can I use instead of heavy cream in the ganache?
You can substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative, though the texture may vary slightly.
With these Chocolate Cherry Cookies, you’re sure to impress anyone who takes a bite! Whether you’re baking for a special event or just treating yourself, these cookies are an irresistible combination of chocolate and cherry goodness. Enjoy!
PrintChocolate Cherry Cookies
These decadent Chocolate Cherry Cookies are a perfect treat for chocolate lovers. Rich, fudgy chocolate cookies are topped with a smooth and velvety chocolate cherry ganache, creating a sweet and indulgent bite. The combination of dark chocolate and cherry preserves brings a delightful burst of flavor. These cookies are ideal for special occasions, festive celebrations, or when you’re simply craving a luxurious dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 9-11 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 32 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cookies:
- 1 1/2 cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
- 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Cherry Ganache:
- 5 ounces dark chocolate (e.g., Endangered Species Vibrant Cherries + Dark Chocolate), chopped
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (90 ml) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (85 g) cherry preserves
Instructions
- Make the Chocolate Cookies:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy.
- Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes).
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Shape and Chill:
- Scoop the dough into 32 portions using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop. Roll each portion into a ball and use a 1/4 teaspoon to press an indent in the center.
- Place the cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the chilled cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, 8 per sheet.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes. Immediately press the centers again with a 1/4 teaspoon if the indents have puffed up.
- Optionally, use a circular cookie cutter to gently reshape the cookies while they are still warm.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Chocolate Cherry Ganache:
- Add the chopped chocolate to a medium bowl.
- Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until just about to boil. Pour it over the chocolate and stir until smooth.
- Stir in the cherry preserves until well combined.
- Assemble the Cookies:
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon of ganache into the center of each cookie (or more if it fits).
- Chill the assembled cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow the ganache to set.
Notes
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Substitutions: If you can’t find chocolate with cherries, use any dark chocolate and increase the cherry preserves slightly.
- Decorations: Sprinkle with crushed freeze-dried strawberries or top with a maraschino cherry for a festive touch.
These cookies are rich, fudgy, and indulgent, making them perfect for holidays or special occasions!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg