Every time I make these Scrumptious Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies, it takes me back to my cozy kitchen filled with the sweet aroma of baking. I can still hear the laughter of my grandchildren as they eagerly waited by the oven, their eyes sparkling with anticipation. Those precious moments, when they’d sneak a taste of the cookie dough and giggle at their little cookie monster antics, bring such warmth to my heart. It’s those simple, joyful times that remind me why I love baking so much.
You know, there’s something magical about the combination of chocolate and cherries—it’s like a sweet hug for your taste buds! I know once you try this recipe, you’ll feel that same warmth and comfort. So, roll up those sleeves, grab your mixer, and let’s dive into baking a batch of cookies that will have your family asking for seconds (and thirds!).
How to Make Scrumptious Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, softened | 1 cup |
| Brown sugar, packed | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Large eggs | 2 |
| All-purpose flour | 2 1/4 cups |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Chocolate chips | 1 cup |
| Maraschino cherries, drained and chopped | 1 cup |
Personal note: I love adding fresh cherries when they’re in season—it makes the cookies even more special!
Cooking Steps
1. Preheat Your Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Trust me, this is key for achieving those perfectly baked cookies!
2. Creaming the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix it until it’s smooth and fluffy, which generally takes about 3-5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks light in color and has that beautiful, creamy texture that just makes you want to dive right in!
3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. The aroma of vanilla mixed with butter and sugar is something you absolutely need to experience!
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients together ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed, making for perfectly fluffy cookies!
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed butter and sugars. Do this slowly to avoid creating a flour cloud in your kitchen! Mix until just combined; overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and we don’t want that!
6. Fold in Chocolate Chips and Cherries
Now it’s time for the fun part! Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped maraschino cherries. Make sure they are evenly distributed so every bite is full of that sweet cherry-chocolate goodness.
7. Scoop Onto Baking Sheets
Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded balls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Leave enough space between each cookie, because they will spread while baking. I usually aim for about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake the Cookies
Pop the cookie sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they’re ready when the edges turn a lovely golden brown, but the centers should still look slightly underbaked. Trust me; they’ll continue to cook a bit more while cooling.
9. Cool and Enjoy!
After you take them out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks. This allows them to firm up just enough to prevent breakage. The smell in your home will be heavenly!
Why I Love Making This Dish
I absolutely adore making these Scrumptious Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies because they always bring my family together. Whether it’s a simple afternoon bake or preparing for a family gathering, these cookies have a way of making everything feel special. The blend of flavors evokes joyful memories, and they never fail to prompt smiles from my loved ones—who can resist a chewy cookie filled with gooey chocolate and delightful cherries?
What You’ll Need
You won’t need any fancy gadgets for this recipe, just the basics: a mixing bowl, a baking sheet, and an oven. However, I do recommend having a good cookie scoop—it makes portioning the dough so much easier and ensures your cookies are all the same size, which helps them bake evenly.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
- Add eggs one at a time, then blend in the vanilla.
- Mix the dry ingredients, then gradually incorporate them into the wet mixture.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips and cherries.
- Scoop rounded balls onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown on the edges.
- Cool before enjoying!
Tips for Perfect Results
Use Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is at room temperature. It should be soft enough to easily cream but not melted. This is crucial for fluffy cookies!
Don’t Overmix: When combining the dry ingredients with the wet ones, do so gently. Overmixing can lead to dense cookies.
Store-bought vs. Homemade Cherries: If you can find fresh cherries in the summer, feel free to chop them up and use them instead of maraschino cherries. It adds a fresher flavor!
Serving Suggestions and Sides
These cookies are perfect on their own with a glass of cold milk. However, if you want to elevate the experience, consider serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of the warm cookie and cold ice cream will have your taste buds dancing with joy!
Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), make sure to store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for a few days, but honestly, they rarely last that long around here! Reheating them in the microwave for a few seconds can bring back that fresh-baked warmth.
FAQ Section
Can I use different types of sugar?
Certainly! You can try using all brown sugar for a richer flavor, but I recommend keeping some granulated sugar for that classic cookie sweetness.
What if I don’t have maraschino cherries?
You can use dried cherries or even chopped fresh cherries—just remember to adjust the sweetness since maraschino cherries are quite sweet.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! You can scoop the dough into balls and freeze them. Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a zip-top bag for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake them straight from the freezer; just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Conclusion
I hope you feel inspired to bring some love into your kitchen with these Scrumptious Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies. They’ve become a beloved treat in my family, and I can’t wait for you to experience the joy they bring! It’s not just about the cookies; it’s about the memories you create while making them. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to whip up a batch. I know your family will appreciate it just as much as mine does. Let me know how it turns out, and if your loved ones ask for seconds, just like mine do every time, you’ll know you’ve hit the sweet spot!