These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are a cherry lover’s dream come true. Imagine buttery soft cookies loaded with sweet chopped maraschino cherries and melty chocolate chips. Every bite feels like a celebration with that burst of cherry flavor tucked into a rich, tender cookie.
They’re just the right amount of sweet and vibrant, making them perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas cookie trays, or even just a Tuesday pick-me-up. The bright red cherries also give the cookies a charming pop of color that feels festive any time of year.
Why You’ll Love This Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
This cookie recipe stands out because it brings the perfect balance between fruity sweetness and decadent chocolate. The cherries add a juicy chew, the chocolate chips melt into each bite, and the vanilla-scented dough holds it all together like a warm hug.
They’re easy to make, require no chilling time, and come together in less than 30 minutes. Plus, the ingredients are pantry staples (minus the cherries, of course), so you might already have everything you need!
Can I Use Fresh Cherries Instead of Maraschino?
Fresh cherries and maraschino cherries offer different flavors and moisture levels. Maraschino cherries are sweetened and soft, which make them ideal for baking since they don’t dry out. Fresh cherries could work in a pinch, but they will release more juice and could affect the cookie texture. For the signature chewy bite and vibrant color, stick to maraschino cherries.
Ingredients for the Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Butter – Adds richness and flavor while giving the cookies a soft, chewy texture.
Brown Sugar – Helps keep the cookies moist and adds a hint of caramel depth.
Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps the edges crisp up just slightly.
Egg – Binds everything together and adds richness.
Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall flavor with warm aromatic notes.
All-Purpose Flour – The structural base for the cookie dough.
Baking Soda – Helps the cookies rise slightly for a soft and tender crumb.
Salt – Balances the sweetness and brings out all the flavors.
Maraschino Cherries – Provide a juicy, chewy burst of cherry flavor in every bite.
Chocolate Chips – Semi-sweet chips pair beautifully with the cherries for a balanced sweet treat.
How To Make the Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes using a hand or stand mixer.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything mixes evenly.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
Step 5: Fold in Cherries and Chocolate
Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips with a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, so the cherries stay intact.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. The centers should look slightly underdone.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temp!
How to Serve Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
This recipe makes about 24 cookies, enough to serve 8-10 people comfortably. Serve them slightly warm with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. They’re great on dessert platters, cookie exchanges, or as a surprise lunchbox treat.
How to Store Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. To freeze the dough, scoop it into portions and freeze on a tray before transferring to a zip-top bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Absolutely! White chocolate adds a creamy contrast to the tart-sweet cherries.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter isn’t overly soft or melted. Also, chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help control spreading if needed.
Do I need to dry the maraschino cherries?
Yes, pat them dry with paper towels before chopping. Excess liquid can make the dough too wet.
Can I double the recipe?
Definitely! Just make sure to use a large mixing bowl and rotate your baking sheets halfway through baking if baking in batches.
Are these cookies overly sweet?
They’re sweet but balanced thanks to the semi-sweet chocolate and touch of salt. Using dark chocolate chips is another great way to dial down the sweetness if desired.
Want More Cookie Ideas with a Twist?
If you love these Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll definitely want to try these other treats:
- Soft Pumpkin Snickerdoodles with Cinnamon Sugar for a fall-inspired cookie.
- Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies for a buttery, nutty crunch.
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies if you’re craving a rich, chocolatey swirl.
- Oatmeal Jam Bars for a nostalgic, fruity twist.
Save This Pin For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go classic with chocolate or swap in white chips? I’d love to hear how you made them your own.
Looking for more delicious dessert ideas? Visit my Pinterest for new inspirations daily at Life With Mira.
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery, and bursting with juicy bits of maraschino cherries and melted chocolate chips, these cookies are a must-try for dessert lovers. This easy recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and is the perfect option for quick baking, holiday treats, or simply a cozy homemade snack. Whether you’re hunting for new breakfast ideas, sweet food ideas for gatherings, or just a simple easy recipe to brighten your week—this cookie recipe checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup maraschino cherries, chopped and patted dry
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
4. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until combined.
6. Fold in chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips using a spatula.
7. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers are just set.
9. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Serve warm or store once fully cooled.
Notes
Pat the maraschino cherries dry to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
Use room temperature butter for easier creaming.
Let cookies cool before storing to keep them soft and chewy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: maraschino cherry cookies, chocolate chip cookies, cherry desserts, easy recipe, holiday cookie idea
