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Not Your Ordinary Chocolate Cookie
The holidays give us so many opportunities to take plates (or a cake stand) of goodies to parties and family get-togethers. I never want you to fall into the rut of baking the same thing repeatedly. That’s why I’m here to help, giving you my favorite unique recipes that I simply love to bake. Besides, these desserts always seem to impress.
With the wild success of my pecan tassies recipe, I’m happy to present another Christmastime treat: my family’s favorite chocolate-covered cherry cookies! These cookies are not only delectable and mouthwatering but are also so unique that everyone will ask you for the recipe.
This is such a unique cookie, which makes it one of my favorites. Don’t be afraid of the odd ingredient of a maraschino cherry. The flavors come together in a seasonally classic way that you’ll surely love!
I love to take these to cookie swaps and gatherings because no one else will make them, but everyone will want the recipe!
More Christmas Cookies
- Brown butter Snickerdoodle cookies
- Candy bar cookies
- Chocolate waffle cookies
- Make sure to check out all of my holiday baking recipes
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder sifted
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1 10-oz jar Maraschino cherries
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. The mixture will be light and fluffy and well combined. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until it is smooth.8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- To the wet ingredients, slowly add the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat until combined. The dough will be dry and almost crumbly.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, ¼ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp baking soda
- Using a cookie scoop, make 1 tablespoon (size 00) balls out of the dough, roll them in sanding or white granulated sugar, and place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Drain one 10-ounce jar of Maraschino cherries. Reserve the juice and set it aside for later. Pat cherries until very dry. If cherries are extra-large, cut them in half. Press a cherry into the center of each dough ball. Do not be afraid to press firmly.1 10-oz jar Maraschino cherries
- Place in the preheated 350°F oven and bake until the cookies are set, 10-12 minutes. Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes and then frost while warm.
- While the cookies are baking, heat the heavy cream until it begins to simmer. Once it is simmering, pour the cream over the chocolate chips. Allow the cream to melt the chocolate for 3 to 5 minutes. Once the chocolate is melting, slowly stir the mixture until it is smooth. Once the chocolate is smooth, add 1 tbsp of the reserved cherry juice. Note: As the chocolate cools, it will solidify. To soften, simply warm in the microwave for 10 seconds and stir.¾ cup heavy cream, ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Once the ganache has cooled slightly and thickened, spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of frosting onto the top of each baked warm cookie, covering the cherry. Sprinkle with sugar or decoration, if desired.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
O.K., I sprang for the Luxardo cherries after watching you make these on YouTube. Will they keep on the counter for 3 days? I want to make them today for Christmas. I already gave them 5 stars, because, you know…they’re going to be fabulous ☺️
Did you get a reply to how long they’d keep on the counter? I’d like to make them 3 days in advance, too.
Thanks!
Delicious !!
Made these today and they’re very easy and super decadent!
Ridiculously delicious! They are a better version of thumbprint cookies that we have made for years. Our new favorites!!
Ps. Yes, Luxardo cherries like you made them with in the video are fantastic
I love watching you and your Mom cooking together. I watched your video this morning for the chocolate covered cherry cookies and I had everything to make them, even the cherries you used. My husband loves chocolate and chocolate covered cherries, so I thought he would like these cookies and he loved them. My kids and grandkids came by this evening and they all had one and liked them too. Thank you again for a delicious recipe.
My cookies came out flat and spread….I followed the recipe exactly….why??
Love your posts! And recipes, and yard and garden ideas, and all the knowledge you impart!
Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you & your family 🎄♥️🎄
Kaleb,
Thank you for all your eady to follow recipes.
May you & your family have a happy & Holy Christmas
Chocolate covered cherries have always been one of my favorites. These are amazing. So easy to make.
Mine went flat .?
Mine went a little flat too. Certainly more so than pictured, but not disturbingly so.
Love watching you and your mom cooking together! My husband loves chocolate and chocolate covered cherries, so he should love these. I have everything, even the special cherries in your video so I’m making them today. I will let you know how they turn out and how we like them. Thanks for all your recipes and the step by step instructions.
Do you have a cook book if you don’t please make one I would love to have it
Chewy cherry cookies