If you’re looking for a perfectly sweet treat that’s a little nostalgic, a lot colorful, and impossibly delicious, this maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is going to steal your heart at first bite. Imagine a buttery cookie studded with juicy maraschino cherries and melty chocolate chips—the kind of cookie that puts smiles on faces and disappears almost as fast as you can bake them. This cookie recipe is a playful twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie, guaranteed to brighten any occasion, from holiday tables to everyday snacking.

maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Trust me, you don’t need any fancy ingredients to create magic here—just a handful of baking staples and a jar of those iconic red cherries. Every ingredient in this maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe pulls its weight, giving you a cookie that’s soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor and color.

Unsalted butter: Softened butter builds a creamy, rich foundation for the cookie dough.
Granulated sugar: Gives the cookies their signature sweetness and helps with structure.
Packed brown sugar: Adds moistness and a caramel-like depth that marries perfectly with cherries and chocolate.
Large eggs: Binds the ingredients together and helps the cookies rise just right.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and gives the cookies a warm, inviting aroma.
All-purpose flour: Provides the backbone and chew to each bite.
Baking soda: Ensures a soft, tender crumb and just the right amount of spread.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out all the nuanced flavors.
Maraschino cherries: Chopped and drained, these add bright pops of color and a lovely fruity flavor. Pat them dry for best results!
Semisweet chocolate chips: Melty chocolate chips are the classic companion to cherries in this dreamy recipe.

How to Make maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets

Kick things off by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key for even baking. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper so you get cookies that don’t stick and cleanup is a breeze.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with both the granulated and brown sugars. Beat until the mixture turns light and fluffy—it should look pale and hold soft peaks. This step brings air into your dough, resulting in gorgeously puffy cookies.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse the dough with its unmistakable cozy aroma.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your creamy butter and sugar bowl, blending gently until just combined for the best tender texture.

Step 5: Fold in Cherries and Chocolate Chips

Now comes the fun part—fold in your chopped, well-drained maraschino cherries and chocolate chips, mixing gently to keep the vibrant cherry color from bleeding too much into your cookie dough. Every bite should be packed with chocolate-cherry goodness!

Step 6: Form the Cookies

Using a rounded spoon, drop dollops of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each cookie for spreading. Aim for even sizes so they bake uniformly.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop your cookies in the preheated oven and bake for about 10–12 minutes. Keep an eye out for the edges turning a beautiful golden brown while the centers stay a little soft—they’ll finish setting as they cool.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Once baked, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool. This helps them set up without falling apart, locking in all that gooey, chocolatey, cherry-studded goodness.

How to Serve maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For a show-stopping finish, top your cookies with a drizzle of melted chocolate or an extra maraschino cherry pressed into the center before baking. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds that “bakery window” charm.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine with a tall glass of cold milk or a mug of hot cocoa on the side. They’re also lovely paired with fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the cookies high on a vintage cake stand or tucking them into colorful cookie tins for gifting. They’re perfect for holiday cookie swaps or as an unexpected addition to a potluck dessert table. For something truly special, serve them alongside a bowl of cherry ice cream for a double cherry delight!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe leftovers fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Be sure they’re fully cooled first to prevent moisture buildup and sogginess.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully—just arrange them in a single layer between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls to bake fresh cookies on demand. Either way, they’ll keep wonderfully for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To revive your cookies’ gooey, chocolatey centers, just pop them in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for 2–3 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, a few seconds in the microwave brings them right back to life—perfect with a cold glass of milk.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cherry?

Absolutely! While this maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe celebrates that classic sweet maraschino flavor, you can swap in drained, chopped sour cherries or dried cherries for a tangy twist if you prefer.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute a good quality one-to-one gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour and proceed as directed for delicious gluten-free results.

Why should I pat the cherries dry?

Getting those maraschino cherries as dry as possible keeps extra moisture out of your cookie dough and prevents your cookies from turning pink and soggy—trust me, it’s worth the extra step!

Is it possible to make the dough ahead of time?

Definitely. You can make your dough in advance and chill it for up to 48 hours in the fridge. This actually enhances the depth of flavor, making your maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe even more delicious.

Can I use white chocolate or dark chocolate chips instead?

Go for it! The base dough for the maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe welcomes any chocolate chip you love, whether it’s white, milk, or dark chocolate. Have fun and experiment!

Final Thoughts

If sweet, cherry-studded, chocolate-laced cookies sound like something you need in your life, don’t wait another minute—bake up a batch of this maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe! I promise, every bite will bring joy and a little splash of color to your day.