Irresistible Chocolate Covered Cherry Delights: A Festive Cookie Recipe

Discover the magic of homemade chocolate cookies, each cradling a sweet cherry center and topped with a luscious chocolate frosting. These delightful treats capture the essence of classic chocolate-covered cherries in every festive bite, perfect for holiday gatherings or a special indulgence.

Chocolate-covered cherries are one of those quintessential holiday treats that seem to divide opinion – people either adore them or respectfully pass. For me, they are an absolute cornerstone of the Christmas season! The mere thought of their rich, dark chocolate shell giving way to a sweet, often liquid-filled cherry center instantly transports me back to my childhood. I vividly recall my mother carefully placing a small, beautifully wrapped box of these confections under the Christmas tree for each of her children. It felt like such a luxurious and personal treat, having an entire box of those exquisite chocolates all to myself. As I’ve grown older, this tradition has endured. It simply doesn’t feel like Christmas until I’ve purchased my own box, savoring each piece as a nostalgic reminder of holidays past and the joyful anticipation that fills the air. These aren’t just candies; they’re edible memories, a symbol of festive indulgence and the warmth of family traditions.

However, the idea of transforming this beloved candy into a cookie has always intrigued me. What if we could capture that familiar flavor profile – the deep chocolate, the sweet, subtle hint of cherry – within the comforting embrace of a soft, chewy cookie? The quest for such a creation led me to a charming culinary adventure.

My inspiration for these delightful Chocolate-Covered Cherry Delights actually came from an unexpected source: a cozy mystery novel. Back in August, I found myself captivated by “The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder” by Joanne Fluke, a delightful read where the main character owns a charming bakery. Throughout the book, she shares several of her tempting cookie recipes, and as soon as I stumbled upon the description for these specific cookies, I knew I had to try them. The concept of baking a cherry right into a chocolate cookie and then topping it with a rich chocolate frosting was simply irresistible. I meticulously copied down the recipe, knowing that such a special treat deserved a special occasion. I patiently waited, and as the festive Christmas season finally rolled around, ushering in chilly evenings and a desire for warm, comforting flavors, the timing felt absolutely perfect. What better way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year than by baking a batch of these exquisite cookies, bringing a taste of holiday magic into my home?

Now, for those who might typically shy away from the traditional liquid-filled chocolate-covered cherries, rest assured: these cookies offer a wonderfully different experience. While they certainly capture the spirit of their namesake, they don’t replicate the exact texture or intense liquidity of the candy. Here, the star remains the rich, deep chocolate, with the cherry flavor playing a more subtle, yet crucial, supporting role. It’s a harmonious blend where neither overpowers the other, resulting in a perfectly balanced bite. I personally found these cookies absolutely divine. They stand out from many other cookie recipes due to a unique step: the frosting is applied *before* baking. This might sound unconventional, and I confess I reread the instructions several times, wondering if it was a typo! However, trusting the process proved rewarding. The frosting bakes into a delightful, slightly set topping that melds beautifully with the cookie base and the cherry within. The key to their perfection lies in not over-baking them; they should remain wonderfully soft and chewy in the center, a testament to their delicate balance of flavors and textures.

Mastering Your Chocolate Covered Cherry Delights: Tips for Perfect Baking

Creating these delightful chocolate-covered cherry cookies is a rewarding experience, especially during the holiday season. To ensure your cookies turn out perfectly soft, rich, and truly irresistible, here are a few essential tips:

• Ingredient Quality Matters: Start with good quality ingredients. Use a decent cocoa powder for that deep chocolate flavor. While the recipe calls for maraschino cherries, consider using a good brand or even trying luxardo cherries (though they’re pricier and might change the flavor profile slightly, offering a more sophisticated twist for an adult palate).
• Melted Butter Magic: The recipe begins with melted butter. Ensure it’s cooled slightly before adding the egg. Adding egg to hot butter can scramble it, affecting the dough’s texture. Room temperature eggs also incorporate better into the mixture.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, rather than soft and chewy, cookies. The dough is indeed stiff and a bit crumbly, which is exactly how it should be.
• Cherry Prep is Key: Thoroughly drain your maraschino cherries. Excess moisture can make your cookies spread too much or become soggy. Reserving the juice is crucial for the frosting, so don’t discard it! If you want a more intense cherry flavor in the frosting, you can even reduce the cherry juice slightly on the stovetop before adding it to the chocolate.
• Perfect Frosting Consistency: The frosting is unique because it’s baked on. Achieving the right “glob off a spoon” consistency is vital. If it’s too thin, it will run off the cookies; too thick, it won’t spread smoothly. Add the reserved cherry juice gradually, one teaspoon at a time, stirring well after each addition, until you hit that sweet spot. This patience will be rewarded with beautifully topped cookies.
• The No-Overbake Rule: This is perhaps the most important tip. These cookies should be soft when they come out of the oven. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Look for edges that are just beginning to firm up, but a center that still looks slightly underdone. A mere 10 minutes at 350°F is often sufficient for a soft, chewy interior. Over-baking will result in dry, crumbly cookies, losing that delicate texture.
• Cooling Gracefully: Allowing the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack helps them set properly without breaking. Cooling completely on a wire rack ensures air circulation, preventing soggy bottoms and allowing the frosting to fully firm up.
• Storage: Store these delightful cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

The Joy of Holiday Baking and Sharing

Beyond their exquisite taste, these Chocolate Covered Cherry Delights embody the very spirit of holiday baking. There’s an undeniable magic in the kitchen during this time of year – the aroma of melting chocolate and sweet spices wafting through the air, the rhythmic sounds of mixing and rolling, and the sheer joy of creating something beautiful and delicious with your own hands. Baking is more than just following a recipe; it’s an act of love, a tradition passed down through generations, and a wonderful way to connect with friends and family.

These cookies are not just a treat for your own household; they make fantastic edible gifts. Imagine gifting a small box of these homemade treasures, tied with a festive ribbon, to neighbors, teachers, or colleagues. Each cookie carries a piece of your holiday cheer, a taste of comfort and warmth that truly captures the season’s generosity. They are also a perfect addition to any holiday cookie platter, standing out with their unique appearance and irresistible flavor. Whether you’re baking them for a Christmas party, a quiet evening by the fire, or simply to fill your home with the delightful scent of chocolate and cherry, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and create lasting memories.

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Chocolate-Covered Cherry Delights

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Author:
Deborah Harroun

Prep Time:

20
minutes

Cook Time:

20
minutes

Total Time:

1
hour
30
minutes

Servings:

2
dozen cookies

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Chocolate cookies hold a cherry in the center with a chocolate frosting over the top creating a cookie reminiscent of chocolate covered cherries.

Default Servings: 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (10- oz.) jar maraschino cherries*
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Melt the butter and then mix in the white sugar until well combined. Allow this mixture to cool slightly before proceeding. Once cooled a bit, add the egg and mix thoroughly. Continue by adding the baking powder, baking soda, salt, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder, stirring well after each addition to ensure everything is fully incorporated. Finally, add the all-purpose flour and mix until a stiff and slightly crumbly dough forms. Do not overmix.
3. Carefully drain the maraschino cherries, making sure to reserve the juice in a separate bowl – you’ll need this for the frosting!
4. Roll the cookie dough into walnut-sized balls. Place these balls onto a greased cookie sheet, spacing them out to allow for spreading (approximately 12 cookies per sheet). Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, gently press down in the center of each dough ball to create a small indentation. Place one drained maraschino cherry into each indentation.
5. Prepare the chocolate frosting: In a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water), combine the chocolate chips and the sweetened condensed milk. Heat on low, stirring continuously, until the chocolate chips have completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Begin adding some of the reserved cherry juice, starting with 1 teaspoon at a time. Stir well after each addition. Continue adding juice until the sauce reaches a thick consistency that “globs” off a spoon rather than drips. It should be thick enough to hold its shape. Spoon a small amount of this luscious chocolate sauce over the center of each cookie, ensuring it just covers the cherry without dripping down the sides.**
6. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for exactly 10 minutes. It’s crucial not to over-bake them to maintain their soft, chewy texture. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe Notes:

*You likely won’t use the entire jar of cherries, so have some extra for snacking!

**I often find I have a generous amount of this delicious chocolate frosting left over. It makes a fantastic snack when spread on graham crackers or even enjoyed by the spoonful!

I’m so incredibly glad that making these Chocolate Covered Cherry Delights was how I chose to kick off the Christmas season this year! They’re not just cookies; they’re a celebration of flavor, tradition, and the simple joy of baking. Happy holidays and happy baking!