Description
Delight in these rich and chewy Chocolate and Cherry Lovers Cookies, packed with luscious dried cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfectly balanced with cocoa and a hint of vanilla, these cookies offer a decadent treat for any chocolate and fruit enthusiast.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Sugars
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
Add-ins
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. This step incorporates air for a tender texture.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and flavoring agents.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and to maintain tenderness.
- Fold in cherries and chocolate chips: Gently fold in the dried cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough without deflating it.
- Portion the dough: Using a tablespoon, scoop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookie edges are set but the centers remain soft, indicating perfect chewiness.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake and cool completely.
- Replace dried cherries with dried cranberries or raisins for variation.
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing cookie dough balls is possible for up to 1 month; bake directly from frozen adding 1-2 minutes to bake time.
