There’s something special about the combination of cherries and chocolate—it’s a match made in dessert heaven! These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with sweet cherry flavor, complemented by rich, melty chocolate chips. The vibrant pink hue of the dough makes them as beautiful as they are delicious, perfect for holidays, special occasions, or just satisfying a sweet craving.

I love how these cookies bring a fun and fruity twist to classic chocolate chip cookies. The chopped maraschino cherries add a juicy sweetness, while the cherry juice infuses the dough with a delicate pink color. Each bite is packed with gooey chocolate and bursts of cherry flavor, making these cookies a delightful treat for kids and adults alike.

Why You’ll Love These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gorgeous pink color – Perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or anytime you want a fun and festive dessert.
Soft and chewy texture – These cookies stay moist thanks to the maraschino cherry juice.
Chocolate and cherry combo – A sweet, tart, and rich pairing that tastes amazing.
No need to chill the dough – You can bake these right away!
Great for gifting – Pack them up in a cute box for a thoughtful homemade treat.

What Kind of Cherries Should I Use?

For these cookies, maraschino cherries are the best choice. Their bright red color, sweet flavor, and soft texture blend perfectly into the dough. You’ll want to drain them well and pat them dry with a paper towel to avoid adding too much extra moisture to the cookies. If you prefer a slightly tart contrast, you can try using Luxardo cherries or fresh cherries, but keep in mind that the texture and flavor will be slightly different.

Options for Substitutions

If you want to tweak the recipe, here are some great substitution ideas:

Chocolate Chips: Use white chocolate chips for a creamier, sweeter twist or dark chocolate for a more intense contrast.
Butter Substitute: Swap unsalted butter for vegan butter or coconut oil if you want a dairy-free version.
Flour Alternatives: All-purpose flour works best, but you can try gluten-free flour blends for a gluten-free version.
Sugar Swap: You can replace granulated sugar with coconut sugar for a slightly deeper caramel-like sweetness.
Cherries: If you don’t have maraschino cherries, you can use dried cherries for a chewy texture, though the cookies won’t have the same juicy burst of flavor.

These cookies are pretty forgiving, so feel free to get creative and adjust them to your taste!

Ingredients for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in creating the perfect texture and flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

Maraschino cherries – The star of the show! These add sweetness, moisture, and that signature cherry flavor.
Maraschino cherry juice – Enhances the cherry taste and gives the cookies their beautiful pink color.
Unsalted butter – Provides richness and keeps the cookies soft and chewy.
Granulated sugar – Sweetens the cookies while helping with structure and texture.
Egg – Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture for a tender crumb.
Vanilla extract – A classic addition that enhances all the flavors.
Almond extract – Complements the cherry flavor and gives these cookies a bakery-style taste.
All-purpose flour – The base that gives the cookies their structure.
Baking powder – Helps the cookies rise and stay soft.
Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Chocolate chips – The perfect pairing with cherries, adding a rich and melty contrast.

These simple ingredients come together to create a cookie that’s soft, flavorful, and loaded with cherry-chocolate goodness!

Step 1: Prepare the Cherries

Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial to prevent excess moisture from making the cookies too soft. Chop them into small pieces and set aside.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This helps create a soft, chewy texture. Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and maraschino cherry juice, then mix until fully combined.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent, giving the cookies a nice rise.

Step 4: Mix the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Gently fold in the chopped cherries and chocolate chips, making sure they are evenly distributed.

Step 5: Shape and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them on the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm, or store them for later!

How Long to Cook Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies bake best at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes. The edges should be slightly set, while the centers remain soft. Since every oven varies, start checking at the 10-minute mark to avoid overbaking. They might look slightly underdone in the center, but they will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

Tips for Perfect Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Drain and pat the cherries dry – Extra moisture can make the cookies spread too much or turn out too soft.
Don’t overmix the dough – Stir until just combined to keep the cookies tender.
Use high-quality chocolate chips – A good brand of chocolate makes a big difference in flavor.
Chill the dough if it feels too sticky – While chilling isn’t required, 15–20 minutes in the fridge can help if your dough is too soft.
Scoop evenly for uniform cookies – A cookie scoop ensures all cookies bake evenly.
Let them rest before moving – Give them 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.

Following these tips will guarantee soft, chewy, and flavorful cookies every time!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

Not drying the cherries properly – Excess moisture can make the dough too wet, leading to overly soft or spread-out cookies.
Overbaking – The cookies should still look slightly soft in the center when you take them out. They will set as they cool.
Skipping the almond extract – It enhances the cherry flavor, making these cookies extra delicious.
Using too much cherry juice – While tempting, adding too much can alter the dough’s consistency and make it too sticky.
Overmixing the dough – This can result in tough cookies instead of soft, chewy ones.
Not spacing cookies properly – Leave at least 2 inches between them to prevent them from spreading into each other.
Using cold butter – Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy mixing.
Skipping the cooling step – Let them sit for a few minutes before transferring them to a rack to prevent breakage.

What to Serve With Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies?

1. A Glass of Cold Milk

The classic pairing! The creamy milk balances out the sweet cherry and chocolate flavors.

2. Vanilla Ice Cream

Turn these cookies into an indulgent dessert by sandwiching ice cream between two cookies.

3. Coffee or Espresso

The bitterness of coffee enhances the sweetness of the cookies. Perfect for an afternoon treat!

4. Hot Chocolate

A rich, creamy hot chocolate pairs beautifully with these cherry-studded cookies.

5. Whipped Cream and Fresh Berries

Serve cookies alongside a dollop of whipped cream and some fresh berries for a refreshing contrast.

6. Cheesecake

Cherry and chocolate flavors complement the creamy tang of cheesecake perfectly.

7. Chocolate Fondue

For an extra indulgent treat, dip these cookies in warm melted chocolate.

8. Almond or Cherry Liqueur

For adults, a small glass of Amaretto or cherry liqueur enhances the flavors of the cookies.

Storage Instructions

To keep your Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:

Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Adding a slice of bread to the container helps keep them soft.
Refrigerator: If you prefer, you can refrigerate them for up to 1 week, but let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing: These cookies freeze well! Place them in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating Instructions

If you love warm, gooey cookies, microwave them for 5–10 seconds before eating. This brings back the fresh-from-the-oven feel!

Estimated Nutrition

While exact values may vary depending on ingredient brands, here’s an estimated breakdown per cookie:

Calories: ~160
Carbohydrates: 22g
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 1g
Sodium: 60mg

These cookies are an indulgent treat, but every bite is worth it!

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes! Fresh cherries can be used, but they won’t provide the same sweet, syrupy flavor. Be sure to pit and chop them finely before adding them to the dough.

2. Why did my cookies turn out too soft or mushy?

This often happens if the maraschino cherries weren’t properly drained and dried. Too much moisture can affect the texture of the cookies.

3. Can I make these cookies without almond extract?

Yes, but almond extract enhances the cherry flavor. If you don’t have it, you can substitute it with extra vanilla extract or omit it entirely.

4. How do I keep my cookies soft for longer?

Store them in an airtight container with a small slice of bread. The bread will absorb excess moisture and keep your cookies soft for days.

5. Can I freeze the cookie dough instead of baking all at once?

Absolutely! Scoop the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-top bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

6. Can I use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?

Yes! Dark chocolate pairs beautifully with cherries, giving the cookies a richer and slightly less sweet flavor.

7. Why did my cookies spread too much?

If your cookies spread too much, try chilling the dough for 15–20 minutes before baking. Also, ensure your butter wasn’t too soft or melted when mixing.

8. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version. Make sure your chocolate chips are also gluten-free.

Conclusion

If you love the combination of cherries and chocolate, these Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies will become a new favorite! Their soft, chewy texture and sweet, fruity flavor make them perfect for any occasion. Don’t forget to pin this recipe on Pinterest and share it with your friends and family!