Chocolate Cherry Cookies – Best Recipe You’ll Love

These chocolate cherry cookies are the perfect indulgence for anyone craving something rich, fudgy, and just a little romantic. With a deep chocolate base and luscious chocolate cherry ganache center, each bite melts in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day, the holidays, or just because, these chocolate cherry cookies are a crowd-pleasing treat that combines flavor, texture, and elegance. Plus, they’re easy to make, beautifully shaped, and taste like a bakery-quality dessert right from your kitchen.

Rich, Chewy, and Full of Flavor

What sets these chocolate cherry cookies apart is their intense chocolate flavor and soft, chewy texture. Made with Dutch-process cocoa powder and sweetened with a blend of brown and white sugars, the cookie base has a deep cocoa richness and slightly crisp edges. The ganache center, made with cherry preserves and dark chocolate, brings a burst of fruity depth that balances the cookie’s sweetness. They’re ideal for chocolate lovers who want something beyond the ordinary – a fusion of classic thumbprint cookies with a modern, fruity twist.

What You’ll Need for These Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and chew
• Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich, dark chocolate flavor
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness
• Baking Powder: Adds a slight lift and keeps the cookies tender
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a soft, moist crumb
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and chewiness
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the texture
• Egg Yolks: Creates a tender, rich dough and contributes to structure
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor undertones
• Dark Chocolate with Cherries: The base of the ganache, deep and fruity
• Cherry Preserves: Infuses the ganache with sweet cherry flavor
• Heavy Cream: Creates a silky, melt-in-your-mouth ganache texture

Ingredient Swaps and Substitutes

If you’re missing an ingredient or want to tailor the chocolate cherry cookies to dietary preferences, here are a few ideas:

• Butter Alternative: Use plant-based butter for a dairy-free version
• Gluten-Free Flour: Swap in a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for wheat flour
• Egg-Free: Use 1 tablespoon of applesauce or a flax egg per egg yolk
• Sugar Substitutes: Coconut sugar can replace brown sugar; monk fruit sweetener works for a low-sugar version
• Ganache Variation: Use raspberry preserves instead of cherry for a tangy twist
• Different Chocolate: Try semi-sweet or 70% dark chocolate if cherry-infused bars aren’t available

How to Make Chocolate Cherry Cookies

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars
   In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy.
3. Add Yolks and Vanilla
   Mix in egg yolks and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes creamy and slightly pale.
4. Combine Wet and Dry
   Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low speed until a soft dough forms.
5. Shape and Chill the Dough
   Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls. Press a ¼ teaspoon into each to create an indent. Chill for 1 hour.
6. Bake the Cookies
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake 12 cookies per tray for 10 minutes. Once out of the oven, press the center indent again with a ¼ tsp. Use a cookie cutter to reshape into perfect rounds if desired.
7. Make the Ganache
   While cookies cool, heat cream until just boiling. Pour over chopped cherry chocolate. Stir until smooth, then mix in cherry preserves.
8. Fill and Chill
   Spoon about 1 teaspoon of ganache into the center of each cooled cookie. Chill for 10–15 minutes to set the filling.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon flour into your cup, then level off—don’t scoop straight from the bag. For best results, use a scale (1 cup = 120–125g).
• Chill is Essential: Chilling firms the dough, keeping cookies from spreading and ensuring a thick, fudgy center.
• Use a Cookie Cutter for Perfect Shape: Immediately after baking, rotate a circular cutter around the edges to tighten the shape.
• Don’t Skip Re-Indents: The ganache sits better in a deeper indent. Always press again after baking.
• High-Quality Chocolate Matters: Use dark chocolate with real cherry notes for a gourmet touch.

What to Serve with Chocolate Cherry Cookies

• With Coffee or Espresso: The bittersweet pairing complements the rich ganache.
• On a Dessert Platter: Pair with almond biscotti, white chocolate chip cookies, or raspberry bars for variety.
• With Whipped Cream or Ice Cream: Serve warm cookies with a scoop of vanilla or cherry ice cream.
• With Holiday Flair: Top with chopped pistachios or edible glitter for festive appeal.

Storage & Make-Ahead Notes:

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, freeze unfilled cookies and ganache separately for up to 2 weeks.
• Assemble just before serving for best texture.

Seasonal and Occasional Appeal

These chocolate cherry cookies are a stunning addition to holiday baking trays, Valentine’s Day dessert boards, and special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. The deep cocoa richness and fruity cherry ganache give them a luxurious flavor profile that feels both cozy and elegant. Their thumbprint design also makes them visually appealing, so they’re perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges, or elevating any dessert spread.

They’re especially ideal during winter and early spring, when darker desserts and comforting bakes are in demand. But honestly, these cookies shine year-round – because there’s never a wrong time for chocolate and cherries.

Conclusion

Chocolate cherry cookies are the perfect blend of rich cocoa flavor and luscious fruit-filled ganache — a treat that feels indulgent without being overly complicated to make. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a romantic evening, or just to satisfy a chocolate craving, these cookies deliver both flavor and presentation. From their chewy texture to the glossy cherry chocolate center, every bite is a reminder of why some cookie recipes become instant classics.

If you love rich, bakery-style cookies with a sophisticated twist, this chocolate cherry cookie recipe is the one to bookmark, bake, and repeat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Cherry Cookies

More Relevant Recipes

• Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe: A spooky and playful twist on classic peanut butter cookies, these treats are soft, chewy, and topped with chocolate candies — perfect for chocolate lovers who enjoy fun seasonal bakes similar in creativity to chocolate cherry cookies.
• Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe: These festive chocolate chip cookies are rich, buttery, and packed with chocolate chunks. Their chewy texture and visual appeal align well with the indulgent style of chocolate cherry cookies.
• Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies: These cookies combine soft sugar cookie dough with a creamy milk chocolate center, creating a filled-cookie experience reminiscent of the ganache-filled chocolate cherry cookies.

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