Irresistible Maraschino Cherry Cookies You’ll Crave Daily Recipe

Introduction

These irresistible Maraschino Cherry Cookies combine chewy texture with bursts of juicy sweetness and rich chocolate chips. With a hint of almond and a cheerful pink hue, they’re a delightful treat you’ll want to enjoy every day.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1¼ cups light brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅛ tsp almond extract
• Pink gel food coloring, small amount
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper to ensure easy cookie removal and even baking.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Stir well and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a larger bowl, beat the softened butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is fluffy and pale.
4. Step 4: Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the creamed mixture. Beat for 30 seconds until just combined.
5. Step 5: Add a small amount of pink gel food coloring and blend until the dough turns a lovely blush pink.
6. Step 6: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture at low speed until fully combined.
7. Step 7: Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
8. Step 8: Use a cookie scoop to form golf ball-sized dough balls. Roll them smooth and press extra chocolate chips and cherries onto the outside for a decorative touch.
9. Step 9: Place about 8 dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.
10. Step 10: Bake for 10 to 13 minutes until cookies are set but still soft in the center.
11. Step 11: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra cherry flavor, add 1 teaspoon of cherry extract along with the vanilla and almond extracts.
• Use fresh or frozen chopped cherries if maraschino cherries are unavailable, but reduce granulated sugar slightly to balance sweetness.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and enhance texture.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

Yes, but use less liquid food coloring to avoid changing the dough’s consistency. Gel food coloring provides a more vibrant color with less moisture.

Can I substitute margarine or oil for butter?

Butter provides the best flavor and texture for these cookies. Using margarine or oil may result in a different texture and less rich taste.

Irresistible Maraschino Cherry Cookies You’ll Crave Daily Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 55 reviews

These Irresistible Maraschino Cherry Cookies combine the chewy texture of perfectly balanced dough with bursts of juicy maraschino cherries and melted semi-sweet chocolate chips. Enhanced with a touch of almond and vanilla extract and a cheerful pink hue, these cookies are a delightful treat that you’ll crave every day.

• Author: Anna
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1¼ cups light brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅛ tsp almond extract
• pink gel food coloring, a small amount

Add-ins

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper to ensure easy cookie removal and even baking.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, mix 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp cornstarch, 1 tsp baking soda, and ¼ tsp salt until fully combined. Set this aside for later.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a larger mixing bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter, 1¼ cups light brown sugar, and ¼ cup granulated sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is fluffy and pale.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and ⅛ tsp almond extract for 30 seconds more until just combined.
5. Add Color: Blend in a small amount of pink gel food coloring until the dough achieves a lovely blush tone.
6. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture on low speed, mixing until fully combined into a dough.
7. Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold 1 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries and 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough.
8. Form Cookies: Using a cookie scoop, form golf ball-sized dough balls. Roll them smooth and press additional cherries and chocolate chips onto the outside of each ball for extra flavor and texture.
9. Bake: Place about 8 dough balls spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10–13 minutes until cookies are just set but still soft in the center.
10. Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for approximately 15 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

• Ensure butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming.
• Do not overbake; cookies should remain soft for the best chewy texture.
• Chop cherries finely to distribute sweetness evenly throughout the cookie.
• Pressing extra cherries and chips on top adds a visually appealing finish and extra bursts of flavor.
• Use a silicone mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow even baking.

Keywords: maraschino cherry cookies, cherry chocolate chip cookies, chewy cookies, pink cherry cookies, dessert cookies