Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Soft, chewy, and bursting with nostalgic charm, these Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything your inner child craves. With juicy maraschino cherries tucked into every bite and melty chocolate chips dancing through a golden vanilla dough, these cookies bring a playful pop of color and a whole lot of flavor.

Perfect for holidays, Valentine’s Day, or just when you want to jazz up your classic chocolate chip routine, these cookies are an easy way to brighten any day. Their sweet cherry notes balance beautifully with rich chocolate morsels, making them a hit with both kids and grown-ups alike. Plus, the dough comes together in one bowl, so cleanup is a breeze.

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What Kind of Cherries Should I Use for These Cookies?

Maraschino cherries are the shining stars here. Their syrupy sweetness and vibrant color don’t just add flavor—they also lend a gorgeous jewel-tone look that makes these cookies stand out on any dessert table. Make sure to drain them well and pat them dry to avoid excess moisture in your cookie dough. You can even give them a rough chop or keep them whole for more dramatic bites.

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Ingredients for the Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Maraschino Cherries: These give the cookies their signature flavor and festive pops of red. Pat them dry to keep your dough from getting too wet.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: A classic pairing with cherries—the bittersweet balance brings depth to the sweet cherry bursts.

All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cookie dough, giving you a soft yet sturdy texture.

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter adds richness and that melt-in-your-mouth quality you love in a cookie.

Brown Sugar: Enhances moisture and adds a hint of molasses flavor that pairs well with cherries.

Granulated Sugar: Helps with the sweetness and gives the cookies a slightly crisp edge.

Eggs: Bind everything together while adding to the chewiness.

Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and brings out the natural flavors of the cherries and chocolate.

Baking Soda: Ensures the cookies rise properly and stay soft in the center.

Salt: Balances the sweetness and elevates the other flavors.

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How To Make the Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prep the Cherries

Drain your maraschino cherries thoroughly and place them on a few layers of paper towels. Pat them dry gently to remove any excess syrup. If you prefer smaller bites of cherry, give them a rough chop. Set aside.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is key to creating that perfect cookie texture.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract. The dough should now look smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix into the wet ingredients, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips and Cherries

Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and prepared maraschino cherries. The dough will be slightly sticky but thick and studded with colorful bites.

Step 6: Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

For puffier cookies that hold their shape, chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes. This also helps prevent spreading.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out dough balls and place them a couple inches apart.

Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers look just set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

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How to Serve and Store These Cookies

These cookies are at their absolute best when served slightly warm, with the chocolate still a little melty and the cherries soft and sweet. They make a fun addition to holiday cookie platters, school lunches, or romantic dessert trays. Pair with a cold glass of milk or even a cherry mocha for a cozy treat.

For storing, let the cookies cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to save some for later, these cookies also freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring them back to that fresh-baked warmth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep the dough from turning pink?

Make sure your cherries are patted completely dry and gently fold them in at the end. Overmixing can cause the cherry juice to streak into the dough.

Can I use cherry extract instead of vanilla?

Yes, if you want to enhance the cherry flavor even more, swap half (or all) of the vanilla extract for cherry extract. Just be aware it will intensify the cherry profile.

Can I use fresh cherries?

Fresh cherries have more moisture and can affect the texture of the dough. Maraschino cherries are preferred for their sweetness and firmness in this recipe.

Do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling is optional but recommended. It helps control spreading and gives you a thicker, bakery-style cookie.

What size should I chop the cherries?

Roughly chopping them into halves or quarters works best. Too small and they disappear; too big and they can cause uneven baking.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely! These cookies are perfect for sharing, and doubling the batch makes them even easier to gift or freeze for later.

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Want More Cookie Ideas with a Twist?

If you love these Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll want to try these other fun and flavorful cookie recipes next:

• Cotton Candy Cookies for a whimsical treat that melts in your mouth.
• Cheesecake Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies with a gooey center and caramel charm.
• No-Bake Pecan Coconut Praline Cookies when you’re craving something sweet and simple.
• Oreo Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls that taste like dessert in every bite.
• Lemon Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies for a zesty, no-fuss option with chewy oats.

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Save This Pin + Share Your Results

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it anytime you’re craving a cookie that feels a little extra special.

And when you bake them, let me know in the comments how they turned out! Did you go heavy on the cherries? Try white chocolate instead? I love seeing the twists you put on my recipes.

Looking for even more creative and delicious dessert inspiration? Follow me on Pinterest at Life with Nina where I share my daily kitchen favorites, cookie experiments, and dessert boards packed with cozy vibes.

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