• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Live to Sweet
  • Contact
  • About
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
  • Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cookies, Brownies & Bars

    Chocolate Cherry Cookies

    December 12, 2019 by Amee 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    For many, the holidays are cookie season, and it's no different at my house! My mom always made about 20 different kinds of cookies every year. I do the same! Well, maybe not twenty this year. Circumstances (three kids, house on the market, and my husband living in another state for work...) won't really allow it this year. No matter the length of my list, these Chocolate Cherry Cookies are *always* on it!

    Chocolate Cherry Cookies
    These Chocolate Cherry Cookies are chocolate cookies with dark, delicious Italian maraschino cherries hiding beneath chocolate frosting! This recipe is my mom's: tried and true. Well...I'm me, so I have made a few adjustments in the name of maximum flavor!

    Chocolate Cherry Cookies

    Of course, I added chocolate extract to the cookies. It lends amazing depth of flavor to chocolate baked goods! If you can't find it in your local grocery store, you can find some [here]. Even better, make yourself some [Homemade Chocolate Extract] for next time!

    Chocolate Cherry Cookies

    I use a small cookie scoop to portion out my cookies so they're all uniform in size (and my hands stay a lot cleaner). Here is the one that I use: link [here].

    I use silpats (like this one [here]) when baking, which makes the cookies brown up a little slower. If you're lining your pans with parchment, your cookies will likely be done a bit sooner.

    Chocolate Cherry Cookies

    My mom always uses the maraschino cherries that you can find at the grocery store. And it's totally fine if you want to, too. They're easy to find, they're tasty, and everyone will know straightaway what's inside your cookies without asking. (At first glance the Italian cherries look more like black olives!) 😉

    A few years ago I discovered Italian maraschino cherries, and I'll never go back! Those deep, dark cherries are all natural and insanely delicious. They're pricey, but worth the splurge--especially at the holidays! You can find them online [here].

    Chocolate Cherry Cookies

    I didn't use quite the whole jar of cherries in the cookies. I'm sure you can find suitable use for any leftovers. 😉 If you don't eat them straight out of the jar, both the cherries and the syrup are amazing on vanilla ice cream!

    Happy holiday baking, everyone! If you add these Chocolate Cherry Cookies to your festivities, I'd love to see them! <3

    Other posts you may like:

    Black Forest Pie

    Dark Chocolate Madeleines

    Chocolate Cherry Pie

    Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board

    Chocolate Cherry Cookies

    Chocolate Cherry Cookies

    Amee
    These Chocolate Cherry Cookies are chocolate cookies with dark, delicious Italian maraschino cherries hiding beneath chocolate frosting!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Cookies
    Servings 40 cookies
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you bake!

    Ingredients
      

    Chocolate Cookies:

    • 1½ cups flour
    • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 egg
    • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¾ teaspoon chocolate extract (see note)
    • 10 oz maraschino cherries , drained, juice reserved (~40 cherries; see note)

    Chocolate Frosting:

    • 1 cup chocolate chips
    • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk (see note)
    • 4 teaspoon reserved cherry juice

    Instructions
     

    For Cookies:

    • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheets with parchment or silpats (see note). Set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder, and baking soda). Whisk to combine. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
    • Add egg, vanilla extract, and chocolate extract (see note). Mix to combine. If needed, scrape down the sides of the bowl again.
    • Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Using a small cookie scoop (see note), portion the dough into balls. Roll the dough between your palms to form smooth balls, placing them at least 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
    • Create an indentation in the center of each dough ball using your knuckle or thumb (like you would with a thumbprint cookie). Place a single maraschino cherry (see note) in the center of each cookie.

    For Frosting:

    • In a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk (see note), and cherry juice. Melt over low heat, stirring until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add additional cherry juice a teaspoon at a time until the appropriate consistency is reached.
    • You will need to keep the frosting warm to keep it the appropriate consistency while you work. Cover each cherry with about 1 teaspoon of the frosting.
    • Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes, turning the baking sheets around at the halfway point. Allow cookies to cool on the pan for about ten minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
      Enjoy!

    Notes

    Note on chocolate extract: I highly recommend this (sometimes overlooked) extract! It lends amazing depth of flavor to chocolate baked goods! If you can't find it in your local grocery store, you can find some [here]. Even better, make yourself some [Homemade Chocolate Extract] for next time!
    Note on maraschino cherries: Those deep, dark cherries aren't your average maraschino cherry. All natural and insanely delicious, they're pricey, but worth the splurge. You can find them online [here]. I didn't use quite the whole jar in the cookies. I'm sure you can find suitable use for any leftovers. 😉
    Note on sweetened condensed milk: I know, I know. A recipe calling for a half cup of sweetened condensed milk. If you don't have another recipe you'd like to use the rest in, it freezes well!
    Note on silpats: I use silpats (like this one [here]) when baking, which makes the cookies brown up a little slower. If you're lining your pans with parchment, your cookies will likely be done a bit sooner.
    Note on cookie scoop: I use a small cookie scoop to portion out my cookies so they're all uniform in size (and my hands stay a lot cleaner). I really like the one that I use: link [here]. 
     

    Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate.

    Tried this recipe?I'd love to hear all about it! Leave a review below, then snap a pic and tag me on Instagram!
    This post contains affiliate links.

    More Cookie, Brownies and Bar Recipes from Scratch

    • Lemon Curd Cookies on a silver cooling rack with a jar of lemon curd in the background.
      Lemon Curd Cookies
    • Closeup of Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies, one with a bite missing.
      Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Closeup of Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers, one with a bite missing.
      Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers
    • Strawberry Shortbread Cookies with Strawberry Glaze on a cooling rack, one with a bite missing.
      Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Joyce

      July 19, 2022 at 10:17 am

      5 stars
      Made these for my dad's birthday and he loved them! The special maraschino cherries are so good!

      Reply
      • Amee

        July 20, 2022 at 1:59 pm

        Aw, I'm honored that you used one of my recipes for your dad's birthday, and so happy that he loved the cookies! Thanks so much for your review, Joyce!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of Amee, founder of Live to Sweet.

    Hi, I'm Amee! Here at Live to Sweet you'll find unique and flavorful dessert recipes. Always delicious, and always from scratch!

    Click for More About Me -->

    New & Seasonal Recipes

    • Lemon Curd Cookies on a silver cooling rack with a jar of lemon curd in the background.
      Lemon Curd Cookies
    • Slice of Lavender Lemon Cake on a white plate with lavender flowers alongside.
      Lavender Lemon Cake
    • Slice of Blueberry Angel Food Cake with whipped cream and blueberries on a plate with a fork alongside.
      Blueberry Angel Food Cake
    • honey sugar cookies with easter peep pattern on a white plate.
      Honey Cookies
    • Strawberry Filled Cupcakes with fresh strawberries on top.
      Strawberry Filled Cupcakes
    • Closeup of Raspberry and White Chocolate Loaf Cake on a tray.
      Raspberry White Chocolate Loaf Cake

    Follow Along with Me!

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    Trending Recipes

    • Lemon Curd Cookies on a silver cooling rack with a jar of lemon curd in the background.
      Lemon Curd Cookies
    • Slice of Chocolate Ganache Cake with a blackberry on top.
      Chocolate Ganache Cake
    • Slice of Chocolate Orange Cake with chocolate and dried oranges nearby.
      Chocolate Orange Cake
    • Collage of four unique desserts.
      40+ Unique Desserts

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Live to Sweet © 2018-2023. All Rights Reserved.