Cherry Chunk Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Cherry Chunk Cookies are a delightful treat combining sweet dried cherries and rich chocolate chunks in a buttery cookie base. Perfect for a cozy snack or sharing with friends, these cookies offer a balanced blend of fruity and chocolaty flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Step 2: Gradually add the flour to the creamed mixture, stirring until fully combined to form a dough.
- Step 3: Fold in the dried cherries and chocolate chunks evenly throughout the dough.
- Step 4: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, place dollops of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Step 6: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
- For a chewy texture, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar or a mix of both.
- Try substituting dried cherries with dried cranberries or raisins for a different fruity twist.
- Use white chocolate chunks instead of dark chocolate for a sweeter cookie.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help the cookies hold their shape better.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, you can freeze the cookies for up to 2 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave for a soft, warm treat.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?
Fresh cherries contain more moisture which can affect the dough consistency; it’s best to use dried cherries or pat fresh ones dry before using to avoid soggy cookies.
What kind of chocolate works best?
Chocolate chunks or chips work well, especially bittersweet or semisweet for a rich contrast, but feel free to use milk or white chocolate based on your preference.
PrintCherry Chunk Cookies Recipe
These Cherry Chunk Cookies are a delightful treat combining the sweet tartness of dried cherries with rich chunks of chocolate in a tender, buttery cookie. Perfect for snack time or dessert, these cookies offer a balanced flavor profile with a soft yet slightly chewy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix-ins
- 3/4 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to combine evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Cherries and Chocolate: Gently fold in the dried cherries and chocolate chunks evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden while the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake and let them cool on the baking sheet.
- Substitute dried cherries with dried cranberries or raisins for variation.
- Use dark chocolate chunks for a richer chocolate flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming.
Keywords: cherry cookies, chocolate chunk cookies, dried cherry cookies, homemade cookies, holiday cookies
