Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie bursting with gooey chocolate and sweet maraschino cherries—it’s the perfect mix of rich, indulgent flavors and fruity sweetness. These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are not just another cookie recipe; they bring a unique, irresistible combination that’s hard to find in store-bought treats.

This recipe is inspired by old-fashioned cherry chocolate confections, where the deep, velvety taste of chocolate meets the bright, candy-like sweetness of maraschino cherries. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a special occasion, or just craving something new, these cookies are a must-try.

And the best part? They’re incredibly easy to make, requiring only a few pantry staples and a little bit of time. Keep reading, and I’ll guide you through every step to achieve perfectly soft, bakery-style cookies at home.

Why I Love This Recipe

There are thousands of chocolate chip cookie recipes out there, but this one stands out for its unique flavor and texture.

A delicious contrast of flavors – The cherries add a burst of sweetness and tartness, balancing the richness of the chocolate and butter.
Soft and chewy with a hint of crisp edges – If you love cookies that melt in your mouth but still have a slight crisp on the outside, this recipe is for you.
Visually stunning – The pops of red from the cherries make these cookies extra beautiful, perfect for holiday platters or Valentine’s Day treats.
Perfectly moist – The maraschino cherries not only add flavor but also keep the cookies from drying out, making them last longer.
Easy to customize – You can switch up the chocolate, add nuts, or even drizzle them with white chocolate for extra decadence.

These cookies are not just about taste; they’re a showstopper that’s sure to impress anyone who takes a bite!

Ingredients for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

A great cookie starts with high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make these rich, flavorful treats.

Wet Ingredients:

Unsalted butter – For a buttery, rich flavor. Softened, not melted.
Brown sugar & granulated sugar – Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while white sugar gives a slight crispness.
Egg – Provides structure and binds everything together.
Vanilla extract – Enhances the flavors and pairs beautifully with cherries and chocolate.

Dry Ingredients:

All-purpose flour – The base of the cookies. Measure properly to avoid dense cookies.
Baking soda – Helps the cookies rise and stay light.
Salt – Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors.

Mix-Ins:

Maraschino cherries – The star of the show! Drained, patted dry, and chopped.
Chocolate chips – Semi-sweet or dark chocolate works best for contrast.
Optional: Chopped nuts – Adds a slight crunch (pecans or almonds work well).

Pro Tip: Make sure to pat the cherries dry before adding them to the dough—too much moisture can ruin the texture of your cookies.

How Much Time Will You Need

This recipe is quick and easy, perfect for when you need a delicious treat in a hurry.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes (optional but recommended)
Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour (including chilling)

Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and enhances the flavors, but if you’re short on time, you can bake them right away.

How to Make Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Follow these detailed, step-by-step instructions to achieve soft, flavorful cookies every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Cherries

Drain the maraschino cherries completely.
Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Chop them into small pieces, about the size of chocolate chips. Set aside.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until well combined.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix!
Gently fold in the chopped cherries and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.

Step 5: Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours). This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.

Step 6: Preheat and Shape the Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.

Step 7: Bake

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft.
Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pro Tip: If you want thicker cookies, keep the dough balls slightly higher rather than flattening them before baking.

Substitutions

Looking for some variations? Here are a few ways to customize this recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Butter substitute – Swap out butter for coconut oil or margarine for a dairy-free option.
Gluten-free option – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
Different chocolate – Try white chocolate chips for a sweeter twist or dark chocolate chunks for a deeper flavor.
Cherry alternative – If you don’t have maraschino cherries, dried cherries or even fresh cherries (pitted and chopped) can work.

Best Side Dishes for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pair these cookies with a delicious drink or side dish for an even better treat!

Hot Chocolate – The ultimate cozy combination! The cherries and chocolate chips complement a rich cup of cocoa.
Vanilla Ice Cream – Warm cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream make for a decadent dessert.
Coffee or Espresso – A perfect pairing for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Serving and Presentation Tips

The Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are already a treat to the eyes, but presenting them well can take your baking to the next level. Here are some serving and presentation tips to make your cookies look as great as they taste.

1. Serve with a Glass of Milk or Coffee

One of the most classic ways to enjoy cookies is with a tall glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee. The creamy milk complements the sweetness and richness of the cookies, while the coffee’s slight bitterness pairs beautifully with the chocolate and cherries.

2. Create a Cookie Platter

For gatherings or special occasions, arrange the cookies neatly on a platter. You can add some decorative fresh mint leaves or small flowers around the cookies to elevate the presentation. You could even add chocolate shavings or a drizzle of melted white chocolate on top for extra flair.

3. Serve in a Cookie Jar

For a fun and rustic presentation, place the cookies in a vintage cookie jar. It adds a homey touch, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies will fill the room, making everyone eager to grab one.

4. Pair with Ice Cream

If you’re looking to make the dessert even more decadent, serve the cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or your favorite flavor. The contrast between the warm cookie and cold ice cream is irresistible. You can even sandwich the cookies with ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Tips and Tricks to Make This Recipe Even Better

1. Don’t Overmix the Dough

When mixing the dough, be careful not to overwork it. Overmixing can cause the cookies to become dense and tough instead of soft and chewy. Mix until the dry ingredients are just incorporated.

2. Experiment with Chocolate Types

The recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can easily switch it up. For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips. If you want a more fun and colorful twist, try adding white chocolate chips. You can also use a mix of different types of chocolate for added variety in every bite.

3. Adjust the Sweetness

If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of sugar slightly, or opt for dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet to balance out the sugar. The maraschino cherries are already sweet, so you can adjust based on your personal taste.

4. Chill the Dough Longer for Thicker Cookies

If you love thicker cookies, extend the chilling time to 2 hours or overnight. The dough will firm up even more, and the cookies will spread less while baking.

5. Don’t Skip the Cherry Drying Step

The moisture in maraschino cherries can interfere with the texture of the cookies, causing them to become soggy. Pat the cherries dry thoroughly before adding them to the dough to ensure the perfect cookie consistency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While this recipe is fairly straightforward, here are a few common mistakes to avoid that can impact your cookies.

1. Overbaking the Cookies

It’s easy to leave the cookies in the oven too long, but this can lead to dry, crisp cookies instead of soft and chewy ones. Remember, the cookies continue to bake a little bit even after you take them out of the oven. Once the edges are golden and the centers are set but slightly soft, remove them.

2. Not Measuring Ingredients Properly

Baking is a science, and accurate measurements are crucial. Too much flour can result in dense cookies, while too much sugar can make them overly sweet. Always measure your ingredients with a kitchen scale or using the spoon-and-level method for flour.

3. Using Warm Dough

If you skip chilling the dough, your cookies might spread too thin during baking, leading to flat, crispy cookies. Chilling the dough ensures that the cookies retain their shape and get that perfect chewy texture.

4. Skipping the Cherry Drying Step

As mentioned earlier, if you don’t properly dry the maraschino cherries, excess moisture can make the dough too wet, causing the cookies to spread too much. Always be sure to pat the cherries dry with a paper towel before adding them to the dough.

How to Store Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

To make sure your cookies stay fresh for as long as possible, proper storage is key.

1. At Room Temperature

After the cookies have cooled, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 1 week.

2. Freezing

These cookies freeze well! If you want to make them ahead of time or store leftovers, you can freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag or an airtight container. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven for a few minutes.

3. Freezing the Dough

If you prefer to bake the cookies fresh when you’re ready, freeze the dough before baking. Scoop the dough into cookie balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until firm. Then transfer the dough balls to a zip-top bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw—just bake the dough balls as you normally would, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

FAQ

Here are some commonly asked questions about this recipe, with helpful answers!

1. Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Yes, you can! Fresh cherries will work, but make sure to pit and chop them into small pieces. You’ll also want to dry them well to prevent excess moisture in the dough.

2. Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! You can swap in dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips. A mix of different chocolates can also create a more interesting flavor profile.

3. How can I make the cookies thicker?

To make thicker cookies, chill the dough for a longer period of time, up to 2 hours or overnight. You can also shape the dough balls taller rather than flat.

4. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! You can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe gluten-free. Make sure to check the ingredients on the blend to ensure it works for cookies.

5. How long do these cookies last?

Stored in an airtight container, these cookies will stay fresh for up to 1 week at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.