Cherry cookies are one of those irresistible homemade desserts that strike the perfect balance between tart, sweet, and chocolatey. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, summer picnic, or just craving something cozy with a fruity twist, this cherry cookies recipe is going to hit the spot.
These cookies are made with buttery dough, fresh chopped cherries, melty chocolate chips, and a touch of cinnamon that ties all the flavors together beautifully.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into making the perfect cherry cookies. From the ingredients and baking tips to variations and storage suggestions, this is your complete guide to baking soft, chewy cherry cookies every time.
We’ll also cover helpful tips to avoid soggy cookies, ingredient swaps for dietary preferences, and everything you need to know to ensure the best flavor and texture.
Contents
Cherry Cookies Ingredients and Essential Tools
Ingredients Breakdown and Their Purpose
Every ingredient in this cherry cookies recipe plays a specific role. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:
- Butter (½ cup, softened): Provides richness and that classic chewy cookie texture. You can use unsalted butter or even softened coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
- White Sugar (½ cup) and Brown Sugar (½ cup): White sugar helps with structure while brown sugar adds moisture and a touch of molasses flavor. This combo creates the perfect balance.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Rounds out the sweetness and adds a cozy, warm aroma. You can swap this with vanilla bean paste for a deeper flavor.
- Egg (1 large): Binds everything together and adds richness.
- All-purpose Flour (1½ cups): The base of the cookie dough. For gluten-free baking, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well.
- Baking Soda (½ tsp) and Baking Powder (¼ tsp): Help the cookies rise slightly and create a soft center.
- Sea Salt (½ tsp): Balances the sweetness. If you’re using table salt, reduce the quantity to ¼ tsp.
- Cinnamon (¼ tsp): Enhances the cherries and chocolate with a subtle spice note that brings everything together.
- Chocolate Chips (1 cup): Choose your favorite—semisweet, dark, milk, or white chocolate all pair well with cherries.
- Cherries (1 cup, pitted and chopped): Fresh cherries give a burst of juicy flavor. Dried cherries can be used too, but they’ll yield a different texture.
Must-Have Kitchen Tools for Cherry Cookies
Having the right tools on hand will make your baking process smoother and more consistent:
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measuring is essential, especially when working with baking soda and flour.
- KitchenAid Mixer or Hand Mixer: A stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment is ideal, but a hand mixer works too.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: These prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
- Baking Sheet: Choose large, rimless sheets for best results.
- Cookie Scoop (1½–2 tablespoons): Ensures uniform cookie size for even baking.
Tips for Ingredient Substitutions and Dietary Needs
- Butter: Coconut oil is a great plant-based substitute, though it will slightly change the flavor.
- Flour: Use a gluten-free 1:1 blend if needed.
- Chocolate: Experiment with dark chocolate, white chocolate chips, or even vegan chocolate chunks.
- Cherries: Dried cherries can be rehydrated in hot water for 10 minutes to soften before use.
Cherry Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These cherry cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with fresh cherry flavor, perfectly balanced with melty chocolate chips and a hint of cinnamon. Ideal for every occasion, from holidays to everyday snacking.
Ingredients
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 egg
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup cherries, pitted and chopped
Instructions
1. Pit and chop the cherries, then press between paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
4. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
6. Add dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
7. Stir in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
8. Gently fold in the chopped cherries.
9. Scoop the dough using a 1½ to 2 tablespoon cookie scoop and place onto baking sheets.
10. Bake for 10–13 minutes until tops are just set and edges are lightly golden.
11. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Make sure to dry cherries thoroughly to avoid soggy cookies.
Do not chill the dough before baking.
For gluten-free cookies, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Dried cherries can be used as a substitute, rehydrate if desired.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Cherry Cookies
Prepping the Cherries the Right Way
Fresh cherries bring vibrant flavor and a juicy bite to these cookies, but handling them correctly is crucial to avoid a soggy dough.
- Pit and chop the cherries: Start by removing the pits and chopping the cherries into small, uniform pieces. Too large, and they may overwhelm the dough or create uneven baking.
- Dry the cherries thoroughly: Lay the chopped cherries on paper towels. Gently press with another layer of paper towels to absorb as much moisture as possible. This step is key. Excess moisture can lead to soggy cookies or cause the dough to break down.
Avoid using frozen cherries unless you’ve squeezed out nearly all the moisture. Fresh or dried cherries (rehydrated and dried off) are the best choices.
Mixing the Dough for Perfect Texture
Once the cherries are ready, it’s time to make the dough:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F: Ensure your oven is hot and ready before the dough goes in.
- Line two large baking sheets: Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. These surfaces help prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and sea salt. This ensures they’re evenly distributed when you add them to the wet mixture.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed. Continue mixing until the texture is light and fluffy, usually about 1 minute.
- Add the egg and vanilla: Beat until fully combined. The mixture should look smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate the dry mixture: Slowly add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Don’t overmix, as this could toughen the dough.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Stir until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Gently add the cherries: Fold in the chopped, dried cherries. Be gentle to avoid releasing any extra moisture into the dough.
Scooping and Baking Cherry Cookies
With your dough ready, here’s how to shape and bake:
- Scoop the dough: Use a 1½ to 2 tablespoon cookie scoop for uniform size. Roll the dough lightly in your hands and place them evenly on the baking sheet.
- Space cookies properly: Leave enough space (at least 2 inches) between each dough ball. These cookies spread a little while baking.
- Bake immediately: Don’t chill the dough. Baking right away helps avoid excess moisture from the cherries causing sogginess.
- Bake for 10–13 minutes: Keep an eye on them. The tops should just be set and beginning to turn light golden brown. Don’t overbake—they’ll continue cooking slightly on the hot tray.
- Cool before moving: Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and keeps them soft and chewy inside.
Cherry Cookies Variations and Custom Flavor Twists
Flavor Pairing Ideas to Elevate Your Cookies
While the original cherry cookies recipe is already packed with flavor, adding a twist can personalize them even more. Here are some tasty ways to experiment without compromising texture or structure:
- Almond extract: Swap out half the vanilla extract for almond extract. It adds a nutty aroma that complements cherries beautifully.
- Orange zest: Grate ½ teaspoon of fresh orange zest into the dough. The citrus brings out the tartness of the cherries and adds a refreshing brightness.
- Coconut flakes: Add ¼ cup of shredded unsweetened coconut to the dough for extra chewiness and a tropical feel.
- White chocolate chips: Replace regular chocolate chips with white chocolate for a sweeter, creamier bite.
- Mini marshmallows: Stir in ½ cup of mini marshmallows for a gooey, soft center. Be cautious—they expand in the oven.
Ingredient Substitutions for Special Diets
If you’re baking for dietary needs, this cherry cookies recipe adapts easily:
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum for the right structure.
- Dairy-Free: Replace butter with softened coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute. Use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Vegan: Use the above dairy-free swaps and replace the egg with a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes).
- Lower Sugar: Try reducing each type of sugar by 2 tablespoons or use coconut sugar instead of white sugar for a lower glycemic option.
Turning Them Into Holiday or Celebration Cookies
Cherry cookies are versatile enough for any occasion. With a few creative changes, they fit perfectly into your seasonal spread:
- Valentine’s Day: Use heart-shaped cookie cutters and white chocolate chips with red sprinkles.
- Christmas: Add green and red candy-coated chocolates or chopped pistachios.
- Summer Picnic Treats: Make ice cream sandwich cookies using vanilla bean ice cream between two cooled cookies.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Cherry Cookies
How to Store Cherry Cookies for Maximum Freshness
Once your cookies have cooled completely, proper storage is key to keeping them soft and chewy:
- At room temperature: Place cookies in an airtight container with a piece of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 3 days.
- Avoid refrigeration: Storing cookies in the fridge can dry them out and make them lose that soft, bakery-style texture.
If you’re baking a batch ahead of time, it’s best to freeze them for longer storage.
Freezing Instructions: Baked and Unbaked
Freezing cherry cookies is a great way to prep for future cravings or special occasions:
- To freeze baked cookies:
- Let them cool completely.
- Stack with parchment between each cookie and seal in an airtight freezer bag or container.
- Freeze for up to 1 month.
- When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature for 15–20 minutes, or warm in the microwave for 10–12 seconds to restore that fresh-baked softness.
- To freeze unbaked cookie dough:
- Scoop dough into balls and arrange on a parchment-lined tray.
- Freeze the tray for 2 hours until solid, then transfer the frozen dough balls to a zip-top freezer bag.
- Label and freeze for up to 2 months.
- When baking from frozen, add 1–2 minutes to the baking time—no need to thaw.
Reheating Tips to Revive Freshness
If your cookies have been stored for a day or two and lost a little of their soft bite:
- Warm them in the microwave for 10 seconds to bring back that chewy center.
- For a slightly crisp edge with a soft middle, pop them in the oven at 300°F for 3–5 minutes.
These storage and freezing tips make it easy to enjoy cherry cookies anytime—whether you’re prepping for a party or saving extras for the week. Next, we’ll dive into the biggest challenges people face when baking these cookies and how to avoid them.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Soggy Cherry Cookies
Why Do Cherry Cookies Turn Out Soggy?
Soggy cookies are one of the most common complaints when working with juicy fruits like cherries. Here’s why it happens and how to prevent it:
- Too much moisture in the cherries: This is the number one cause. Cherries hold a lot of water, and if not dried properly, the excess moisture seeps into the dough.
- Letting dough sit too long: Once you mix in the cherries, the clock starts ticking. Letting the dough sit too long before baking gives the cherries more time to release their juices.
- Using frozen cherries without draining well: Frozen cherries hold extra water that’s harder to remove. Unless you’ve thoroughly defrosted and squeezed them, avoid using them.
Expert Tips for Perfectly Textured Cookies
Follow these tried-and-true strategies to make sure your cherry cookies are soft, chewy, and never soggy:
- Dry the cherries thoroughly: After chopping, layer them between paper towels and gently press to absorb moisture. Let them sit for a few extra minutes if needed.
- Don’t chill the dough: Chilling allows the cherries to leak more moisture. Unlike most cookie recipes, these need to go into the oven right away after mixing.
- Use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper: This helps avoid moisture buildup on the bottom and keeps the cookies from sticking or spreading unevenly.
- Bake until just golden: Underbaking can lead to overly soft or gummy centers. Bake until the tops are just set with lightly golden edges.
Consistency and Spacing Tips
The way you scoop and space your cookies can also affect baking results:
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform size. It ensures even baking and texture throughout the batch.
- Leave at least 2 inches between each dough ball. These cookies spread slightly, and crowding them can lead to uneven cooking or underbaked centers.
Conclusion
This cherry cookies recipe brings together the rich, comforting flavors of buttery dough, gooey chocolate chips, and juicy cherries into one irresistible treat. By following the key tips like properly drying your cherries, baking the dough immediately, and using quality ingredients—you’ll get consistently soft, chewy cookies with just the right amount of sweetness and fruitiness.
Whether you’re baking for a celebration, packing school lunches, or simply craving a homemade dessert, these cookies offer the perfect blend of flavor and texture. And with all the variations and substitutions available, they can be adapted to suit just about any dietary need or personal taste.
Once you try them, these cherry cookies are bound to become a favorite go-to recipe in your baking collection.
