Craving a delicious dessert that blends the rich taste of chocolate with the tangy sweetness of cherries? Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies are the ultimate treat to indulge in.
Perfect for special occasions or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, these cookies are sure to delight. With a soft cookie base, juicy maraschino cherries, and a luscious chocolate topping, they’re guaranteed to be irresistible.
Ingredients for the Chocolate Cherry Cookies
To make these delicious cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients, many of which are staples in your kitchen:
Sugar & Butter: To make the dough base, mix together the white sugar and butter.
Egg: A whole egg helps bind the dough and adds moisture.
Vanilla Extract: This ingredient adds depth to the flavor of the cookies.
Flour & Cocoa Powder:These two key ingredients form the structure of the dough, while the cocoa powder gives the cookies a rich, chocolatey taste.
Leavening Agents: Baking soda and baking powder ensure the cookies rise perfectly.
Salt: Adding a pinch of salt brings out the flavor of the cookies.
Maraschino Cherries: The star of the show! You'll need both the cherries and their juice for the recipe.
Sweetened Condensed Milk & Chocolate Chips: These two ingredients come together to make a smooth and creamy chocolate sauce that will be drizzled over the cherries.
Chocolate Cherry Cookies | Chocolate Thumbprint Recipe | Christmas Cookies
Video by Cooking Up Love
How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
The process of making these cookies is simple and straightforward, with just a few easy steps:
Prepare the Dough: Start by creaming the sugar and butter together until the mixture is light and airy. Next, thoroughly whisk in the egg and vanilla essence. Add the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt) gradually and blend until completely combined.
Form the Cookies: Shape the dough into balls about the size of a walnut and arrange them on ungreased cookie sheets, leaving approximately 2 inches of space between each one. Press your thumb into each ball's center to make a small depression.
Add the Cherries: Drain the maraschino cherries, setting aside the juice. Place a cherry into each indentation.
Make the Chocolate Sauce: In a saucepan, gently heat the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk over low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth. Once fully melted, mix in a few teaspoons of the reserved cherry juice and stir until well blended.
Drizzle the Chocolate: Spoon about a teaspoon of the chocolate mixture over each cherry, covering it completely.
Bake the Cookies:After preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C), bake the cookies for about ten minutes. On the baking sheets, allow them to cool slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
How to Store and Freeze Chocolate Cherry Cookies
These cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you prefer to keep them for longer, you can refrigerate them for up to one week.
Freezing: You can also freeze these cookies for later enjoyment. To freeze, arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for several hours or overnight. Once fully frozen, move them to a freezer-safe container and store them for up to three months.
Why You'll Love Chocolate Cherry Cookies
These cookies are a favorite among many. As one reviewer put it, "They turn out GREAT every time," and they’re especially popular during the holiday season. The combination of cherry juice in the icing adds a unique twist that everyone will love. The cookies are always a hit at gatherings, and the extra frosting is perfect for adding to milk or coffee for a decadent treat.
These Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies are guaranteed to impress and satisfy any sweet tooth, making them the ideal dessert for any occasion. Whether you're baking for a party or simply treating yourself, these cookies are sure to be a crowd favorite!
