Did You Know 92% of Home Bakers Overlook This Secret Ingredient in Chocolate Chip Cookies?

It’s true – most of us reach for the same classic ingredients when baking chocolate chip cookies, never realizing there’s a vibrant, flavor-packed twist hiding in plain sight. That’s exactly why I’m sharing my Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe today. These aren’t your average cookies – they’re cheerful little bites of nostalgia with pops of ruby-red sweetness that’ll make your taste buds dance.

I discovered the magic of maraschino cherries in cookies quite by accident. One rainy afternoon, while baking with my grandmother’s vintage mixing bowl, I found a nearly-forgotten jar of cherries tucked in the back of my pantry. On a whim, I chopped them up and folded them into my favorite chocolate chip cookie dough. The result? Pure magic – tender cookies with pockets of fruity brightness that perfectly complement the rich chocolate.

What makes these Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies so special is how the cherries’ subtle almond flavor (from their signature syrup) creates the most beautiful harmony with semisweet chocolate. It’s like a flavor revelation in every bite – sweet but not cloying, nostalgic yet excitingly different. And that gorgeous pink-tinged dough? Just wait until you see how the colors bake up into the most Instagram-worthy cookies!

Why These Cookies Will Become Your New Favorite

Beyond their stunning appearance and irresistible flavor, these cookies solve two common baking dilemmas. First, they stay incredibly moist thanks to the cherries’ natural juices – no more dry, crumbly cookies! Second, the combination of textures is absolute perfection: crisp edges giving way to chewy centers studded with melty chocolate and juicy cherry bits.

I’ve served these at countless tea parties and potlucks, and they always disappear first. There’s something about that cherry-chocolate combination that makes people light up with childlike delight. One bite and you’ll understand why this Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe deserves a permanent spot in your baking repertoire.

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Print Recipe

Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies with a burst of maraschino cherry flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

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

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
Fold in chocolate chips and chopped maraschino cherries.
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.

Notes

You can customize the seasonings to taste.

Author: Trusted Blog

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

There’s something magical about the marriage of tart maraschino cherries and rich chocolate chips in a soft, buttery cookie. These cookies are like little bites of nostalgia—sweet, colorful, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or just craving a cheerful treat, this recipe is sure to delight.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened – The foundation of any great cookie. Room temperature butter ensures a smooth, creamy dough.
1 cup granulated sugar – For that perfect sweetness and a slight crisp on the edges.
1 cup packed light brown sugar – Adds depth and chewiness to the cookies.
2 large eggs – Always use room temperature eggs for even mixing.
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract – A splash of vanilla enhances all the flavors.
3 cups all-purpose flour – The backbone of our cookies—measured correctly (spooned and leveled!).
1 teaspoon baking soda – Helps the cookies rise just enough.
1/2 teaspoon baking powder – A little extra lift for a soft texture.
1 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors.
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – Classic, melty, and oh-so-delicious.
1 cup chopped maraschino cherries – Drained and patted dry (trust me, this step is crucial to avoid soggy cookies!).
2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice (optional) – For an extra pop of flavor and a hint of pink swirl.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Cherries: Drain your maraschino cherries well and pat them dry with a paper towel. Chop them into small pieces—about the size of your chocolate chips—so they distribute evenly in the dough. This prevents any one bite from being too wet or overwhelming.
Cream the Butter & Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. Don’t rush this step—creaming properly gives the cookies their perfect texture.
Add Eggs & Vanilla: Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, drizzle in the vanilla extract (and the cherry juice if you’re using it) and mix until just combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix—stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour.
Fold in the Goodies: Gently stir in the chocolate chips and chopped cherries with a spatula. The dough will be thick and studded with colorful bits of cherry and chocolate. If it feels too sticky, you can chill it for 15-20 minutes to make scooping easier.

At this point, your kitchen likely smells like a dreamy mix of vanilla and cherries—and the best part is yet to come! Stay tuned for the second half of the recipe, where we’ll bake these beauties to golden perfection.

Conclusion

These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delightful twist on a classic favorite, blending the sweetness of cherries with rich chocolate chips for a treat that’s as nostalgic as it is irresistible. With their soft, chewy texture and bursts of fruity flavor, they’re perfect for holiday baking, special occasions, or just because you deserve something sweet. Don’t forget to share your creations with us—we’d love to hear how yours turned out!

Ready to bake? Gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let’s make some magic happen. And if you loved this recipe, be sure to check out our other dessert recipes for more sweet inspiration!

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

While fresh cherries sound delicious, maraschino cherries work best here because they’re preserved in syrup, adding moisture and sweetness to the cookies. Fresh cherries may make the dough too wet or alter the texture.

How should I store these cookies?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months—just thaw and enjoy!

Can I omit the chocolate chips?

Absolutely! If you prefer a stronger cherry flavor, feel free to skip the chocolate chips or replace them with white chocolate chips for a different twist.

Why did my cookies turn out cakey?

This usually happens if the dough is overmixed or has too much flour. Be gentle when combining ingredients, and measure your flour carefully (spoon and level, don’t scoop!).