Are you tired of ordinary chocolate chip cookies that fail to spark joy? If your cookie jar is filled with the same predictable treats, it’s time for a delicious upgrade. These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver a burst of sweet-tart cherry flavor against rich chocolate chips in a buttery cookie that’s both nostalgic and exciting.

As a cookie enthusiast who’s tested hundreds of recipes at Cooks Foody, I’ve perfected this cherry-studded delight after numerous trials to achieve that perfect balance of chewy centers and crisp edges. The vibrant red cherries create a showstopping visual appeal that makes these cookies irresistible for holiday gatherings, special occasions, or elevating your everyday dessert experience.

In this recipe guide, you’ll discover the secrets to perfectly combining maraschino cherries with chocolate chips, tips for achieving the ideal cookie texture, flavor variations to suit your preferences, and answers to common baking questions. Let’s transform your baking repertoire with these eye-catching, flavor-packed cookies!

Why These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Work

These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies have become a reader favorite for several compelling reasons:

Uses simple pantry ingredients with just one special addition (maraschino cherries)
Quick 15-minute prep time makes these accessible for weeknight baking
Perfect balance of sweet, tart, and chocolate flavors in every bite
Vibrant red cherry pieces create a visually stunning cookie
Versatile for holidays, gift-giving, or everyday treats

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Best Cherries for This Recipe

Maraschino cherries are the star of this recipe, adding both flavor and visual impact. Look for jarred maraschino cherries without stems for easiest preparation. Premium brands often have better flavor and fewer artificial ingredients. For a more natural option, consider Italian Luxardo cherries, though they’re more expensive.

Chocolate Selection Tips

Semi-sweet chocolate chips provide the perfect balance with the sweet cherries, but you can also use:

Dark chocolate chips for less sweetness and more chocolate intensity
White chocolate chips for a creamy contrast to the cherries
Chocolate chunks for bigger pockets of melty chocolate

Ingredient Substitutions

Cherry juice: Replace some vanilla extract with 1/2 teaspoon of the maraschino cherry juice for enhanced cherry flavor
Almond extract: Add 1/4 teaspoon for a complementary flavor that enhances the cherries
Dried cherries: Can substitute for maraschino in a pinch (rehydrate first in warm water)

Ingredients & Prep for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: Sweet Bliss Baked!

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

Cherry Preparation

Drain cherries thoroughly (excess moisture affects cookie texture)
Pat dry with paper towels to remove additional moisture
Chop into quarters (small enough to distribute but large enough to see)
Reserve 1 tablespoon of cherry juice if desired for enhanced flavor

Mixing Method

For the perfect cookie texture, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes). This creates air pockets that help the cookies rise properly and develop that ideal chewy-crisp texture.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C)
Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt
In a large bowl, cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes)
Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract
Gradually add flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated

Baking Method for Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Fold in chocolate chips gently with a spatula
Very gently fold in chopped maraschino cherries (overmixing will turn the dough pink)
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart
Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are golden but centers still look slightly underdone
For picture-perfect cookies, press a few extra chocolate chips and cherry pieces into tops immediately after baking

Doneness Check for Maraschino Cherry Cookies

The cookies are ready when:

Edges are golden brown
Centers appear slightly underdone (they’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet)
Bottoms are light golden brown

Cooling Maraschino Cherry Cookies

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes
Transfer to wire racks to cool completely
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days

Pro Tips for Perfect Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pat cherries very dry to prevent excess moisture that makes cookies spread
Don’t overmix after adding cherries to prevent pink dough (unless that’s your goal!)
Chill dough for 30 minutes if it seems too soft or if your kitchen is warm
Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation into the butter mixture

Tool Recommendations

Cookie scoop for uniform cookie size and even baking
Silicone spatula for folding in cherries without crushing them
Light-colored baking sheets prevent bottom over-browning
Cooling rack allows air circulation for proper cookie texture

Storage & Freezing

Store baked cookies in airtight container with parchment between layers
Freeze baked cookies up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers
Freeze cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags (bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time)

Looking for more delicious treats? Check out our Candy Cane Brownie Bombs for another festive dessert option!

Flavor Variations for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cherry Chocolate Combinations

Black Forest: Use dark chocolate chips and add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the flour mixture
Cherry Cordial: Use milk chocolate chips and add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Cherry Coconut: Add 1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes to the dough

Dietary Adaptations

Gluten-Free: Substitute cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend
Reduced Sugar: Reduce both sugars by 2 tablespoons each and use sugar-free chocolate chips

Seasonal Twists

Season	Flavor Addition	Special Ingredients
Winter	Chocolate Cherry Mint	1/2 tsp mint extract
Spring	Cherry Lemon	1 tsp lemon zest
Summer	Cherry Chocolate Coconut	1/2 cup toasted coconut
Fall	Spiced Cherry	1/2 tsp cinnamon, pinch nutmeg

If you love chocolate desserts, don’t miss our Chocolate Desserts collection for more inspiration!

Serving Suggestions for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pair with vanilla ice cream for an elevated ice cream sandwich
Serve alongside hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream
Create a cookie platter with these as the colorful centerpiece alongside our Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles
Garnish with a small dollop of cream cheese frosting and a cherry piece for special occasions

For a contrasting flavor profile, try our Strawberry Coconut Scones at your next brunch gathering!

FAQs About Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Can I use frozen cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Frozen cherries contain too much moisture for this recipe. If you want to use them, thaw completely, drain thoroughly, and pat very dry before chopping and adding to the dough.

Why did my cookies turn completely pink?

Overmixing after adding the cherries can release their color into the dough. For marbled effect, fold cherries in very gently with just a few strokes. If you want pink cookies, mix more thoroughly.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Bring refrigerated dough to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.

How do I keep the cherries from sinking to the bottom of the cookies?

Thoroughly drying the cherries and gently folding them into the thick cookie dough should prevent sinking. You can also toss cherries in a tablespoon of the flour mixture before adding to the dough.

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Time to Bake Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies!

These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies aren’t just a treat for your taste buds – they’re a feast for your eyes! The vibrant cherry pieces nestled among melty chocolate chips create cookies that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Don’t keep this recipe to yourself bake a batch to share with friends and family, or package them in decorative tins for heartfelt homemade gifts. The unexpected pop of cherry flavor will have everyone asking for your secret.

We’d love to see your cookie creations! Tag @cooksfoody in your social media posts and join our community of 15,000+ home bakers who’ve discovered the joy of adding maraschino cherries to their chocolate chip cookies.

Happy baking from the Cooks Foody team where we believe every cookie should bring a little sweet bliss to your day!

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: Sweet Bliss Baked!