![- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup dark chocolate chunks - 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved The butter, sugars, and eggs create a rich base. The butter gives cookies a soft texture. Both sugars add sweetness and help the cookies spread. Eggs bind the dough and add moisture. Next, flour, baking soda, and salt play key roles. Flour gives structure and helps the cookies rise. Baking soda acts as a leavening agent, making the cookies fluffy. Salt balances the sweetness and enhances flavor. Finally, chocolate chunks and fresh cherries provide the best bites. The chocolate adds rich flavor, while cherries bring sweetness and a slight tartness. Together, they create a perfect balance in each cookie. - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) Chopped walnuts add a crunchy texture. They also provide a nutty flavor that complements the chocolate and cherries well. You can also switch up sweeteners if you like. Try using coconut sugar or honey for a different taste. Each variation brings a new twist to the classic recipe. For the full recipe, check the [Full Recipe] link. 1. Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking. 2. Creaming the butter and sugars together In a large bowl, beat 1 cup of softened butter, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Mix until it’s light and fluffy. This takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. This step makes the cookies soft. 3. Incorporating eggs and vanilla extract Add 2 large eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg. Then, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. This adds a nice flavor to the dough. 1. Mixing dry ingredients and avoiding overmixing In another bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Slowly add this dry mix to the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; this helps keep your cookies soft. 2. Folding in chocolate chunks and cherries Gently fold in 1 cup of dark chocolate chunks and 1 cup of fresh cherries that are pitted and halved. This keeps the chunks from breaking. You can also add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts if you like. 3. Shaping the cookies on baking sheets Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave enough space between each cookie for them to spread. 1. Setting baking time and temperature Place the trays in the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be golden brown, while the centers stay soft. 2. Tips for checking doneness Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. If the edges turn golden but the center looks wet, they are done. Remember, they will firm up as they cool. For the full recipe, visit the provided link. Enjoy baking! To get the right texture, use room temperature butter. Cold butter makes mixing hard. Soft butter helps create a light, fluffy dough. This dough will spread well in the oven. Next, avoid overmixing. Mix until the dry and wet ingredients blend. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. You want a soft dough with chunks of chocolate and cherries. For great flavor, choose high-quality chocolate and fresh cherries. Look for dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa. It gives a rich taste to your cookies. For cherries, fresh is best. Look for ones that are bright and firm. You can also enhance flavor with extracts. A splash of almond or orange extract can add a nice twist. Just a little goes a long way. When baking cookies, leave space on the tray. This helps them spread. Bake for 10-12 minutes. You want golden edges and soft centers. Once baked, let them cool on the tray for 5 minutes. This helps them set up. After that, move the cookies to a wire rack. This keeps them soft and chewy. Store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. For the full recipe, check out the Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies section above. {{image_2}} You can easily change some ingredients to fit your needs. If you prefer gluten-free cookies, use a gluten-free flour blend. Many brands work well in baking. For a twist on flavor, try dried fruits. Chopped dried cherries or cranberries add a nice touch. You can also swap walnuts for pecans or almonds. This gives your cookies a new crunch and taste. Spices can enhance your cookies in fun ways. Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can bring warmth to the flavor. You might also try mixing in different types of chocolate. White chocolate or milk chocolate chunks can brighten the taste. For a fresh zing, add some citrus zest, like orange or lemon. This adds a refreshing burst that pairs well with cherries. Get creative with your cookies for special occasions. For holidays, add festive sprinkles or use seasonal fruits. In summer, peaches or blueberries can replace cherries. In fall, consider using pumpkin spice or dried apples. Each season brings new flavors to explore, making every batch unique. These themed variations keep the excitement alive in your baking routine. To keep your Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from drying out. You can keep the cookies at room temperature for up to a week. If your kitchen is warm, consider placing them in the fridge. This will help them last longer, but it may change their texture slightly. You can freeze the cookie dough for later. Start by portioning the dough into balls using a cookie scoop. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer the balls to a zip-top bag. Label the bag with the date. When you want to bake, just preheat the oven and bake the frozen cookies directly. Add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies last about one week at room temperature. If stored in the fridge, they can last up to two weeks. Check for signs of spoilage, like an off smell or hard texture. If they become stale, you can revive them by warming them in the oven for a few minutes. Enjoy your cookies fresh or revived! For the full recipe, check out the detailed steps above. To keep your cookies soft, focus on moisture. Here are some tips: - Use brown sugar. It has more moisture than white sugar. - Don't overbake. Remove cookies when the edges are golden but centers are soft. - Store cookies in an airtight container. This traps moisture and keeps them fresh. Yes, you can make these cookies ahead of time! Here are some strategies: - Prepare the cookie dough and chill it in the fridge for up to 3 days. This enhances flavor and makes it easier to scoop. - Bake the cookies and let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container for up to a week. - Freeze the baked cookies for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving. Stale cookies can still be delicious. Here are some creative ideas: - Crumble stale cookies and use them as a topping for ice cream. - Make cookie crumbs for a crust in cheesecakes or pies. - Dip stale cookies in milk or coffee to soften them before eating. For the full recipe, check out the Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies section. In this post, we covered how to make delicious cherry chocolate chunk cookies. We discussed key ingredients like butter, fresh cherries, and chocolate chunks, along with helpful tips for texture and flavor. You learned about variations, storage options, and ways to keep your cookies soft. Enjoy experimenting with this recipe! The joy of baking lies in trying new things. With practice, you'll perfect your cookies and impress everyone. Happy baking!](https://easycookingbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ba94987e-6b26-4b5a-a8ad-34cc438de02d-1-250x250.webp)
Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Satisfy your sweet tooth with delicious Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies! This easy recipe combines buttery dough with dark chocolate chunks and fresh cherries for a treat that’s perfect for any occasion. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up 24 cookies that are soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor.