Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies combine the sweet and tart flavor of maraschino cherries with the richness of chocolate chips for a unique and delightful twist on a classic cookie. Here’s how to make them:
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon cherry extract (optional, for extra cherry flavor)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract (and cherry extract if you’re using it). Continue mixing until smooth.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in Cherries and Chocolate Chips:
- Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Form the Cookies:
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are set. The cookies may look slightly soft in the center, but they will firm up as they cool.
9. Cool and Enjoy:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips:
- Maraschino Cherries: Be sure to drain the cherries thoroughly before chopping them to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
- Texture: For a chewier cookie, you can chill the dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Add Extra Cherry Flavor: If you want even more cherry flavor, you can add a bit of cherry extract to the dough.
These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect combination of sweet, fruity, and chocolaty, making them a fun and festive treat. Enjoy! 🍒🍪
