Looking for the perfect cookie to satisfy your chocolate cravings? These Chocolate Cherry Cookies are here to impress! With a fudgy chocolate thumbprint base and a rich chocolate cherry ganache filling, these cookies are as indulgent as they are beautiful. Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day, a holiday celebration, or just because, these cookies are bound to be a crowd favorite.
Let’s dive into why these cookies are so special and how you can make them step by step.
Why You’ll Love Chocolate Cherry Cookies
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: The Dutch-process cocoa powder and chocolate ganache create a deep, luxurious chocolate flavor.
- Cherry Bliss: The cherry preserves in the ganache add a fruity, tangy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the chocolate.
- Fudgy and Soft: The cookies are soft and fudgy, with a perfect bite-sized ganache center.
- Beautiful Presentation: The glossy ganache and optional crushed cherry garnish make these cookies visually stunning.
- Versatile: Ideal for holidays, parties, or an elegant dessert tray.
Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Cookies
For the Chocolate Cookies:
- 1½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- ½ cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¾ cup (168 g) unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks (at room temperature)
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Cherry Ganache:
- 5 oz dark chocolate (chopped)
- ¼ cup + 2 tbsp (90 ml) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (85 g) cherry preserves
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Chocolate Cookie Dough
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on high speed until light and fluffy. This should take about 2 minutes.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix on medium speed until fully combined and fluffy, about 1–2 minutes.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
2. Shape and Chill the Cookies
- Form the Cookies: Use a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop to portion out the dough into 32 equal balls. Roll each portion into a smooth ball.
- Create Thumbprints: Use a ¼ tsp measuring spoon to press an indent into the center of each ball. This will hold the ganache filling later.
- Chill the Dough: Place the cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
3. Bake the Cookies
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) about 15 minutes before baking.
- Bake: Arrange 8 cookies per baking sheet, leaving space between them. Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the cookies are set but still soft.
- Re-Indent: While the cookies are still warm, press the centers again with a ¼ tsp measuring spoon to maintain the indent for the ganache.
- Shape the Cookies: Use a circular cookie cutter to gently scoot the edges of each cookie into a perfect circle while still warm.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Make the Chocolate Cherry Ganache
- Melt the Chocolate: Place the chopped dark chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl.
- Heat the Cream: Warm the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
- Combine: Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 1–2 minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy.
- Add the Cherry Preserves: Stir in the cherry preserves until fully incorporated.
5. Assemble the Cookies
- Fill the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, fill the center of each cookie with about 1 teaspoon of the chocolate cherry ganache.
- Set the Ganache: Place the cookies in the fridge for 10–15 minutes to allow the ganache to set.
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Cherry Cookies
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the dough mix evenly and prevents it from becoming too sticky or dry.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step, as it helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Scoot for Perfection: Gently scoot a circular cutter around each cookie after baking to achieve perfectly round edges.
- Choose High-Quality Chocolate: The flavor of the ganache depends on the quality of chocolate you use, so opt for good-quality dark chocolate.
- Custom Garnishes: Sprinkle crushed freeze-dried cherries or grated chocolate over the ganache for a decorative touch.
Why These Cookies Stand Out
Chocolate Cherry Cookies combine the deep, indulgent flavor of chocolate with the sweet, fruity essence of cherries. The ganache filling takes these cookies to a new level of sophistication, making them perfect for any special occasion. They’re rich, fudgy, and beautifully presented—ideal for gifting, holiday parties, or romantic celebrations like Valentine’s Day.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store the cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Use parchment paper to separate layers of cookies to avoid smudging the ganache.
- Freezer: While you can freeze the cookies, note that the ganache may lose some of its creamy texture upon thawing. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 1 month and allow them to thaw in the fridge before serving.
Variations to Try
- Nutty Delight: Add finely chopped almonds or hazelnuts to the cookie dough for added crunch.
- Spiced Chocolate: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper to the dry ingredients for a subtle warmth.
- Berry Swaps: Replace the cherry preserves with raspberry or strawberry preserves for a different fruity twist.
🍒 Chocolate Cherry Cookies – The Perfect Sweet Treat!
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Ingredients
Scale
For the Chocolate Cookies:
- 1 ½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- ½ cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¾ cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Cherry Ganache:
- 5 oz chocolate, chopped (try Endangered Species Chocolate Vibrant Cherries + Dark Chocolate)
- ¼ cup + 2 tbsp (90 ml) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (85 g) cherry preserves
Instructions
For the Chocolate Cookies:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on high speed until fluffy.
- Add egg yolks and vanilla to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed for 1–2 minutes until light and smooth.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients on low speed until just combined.
- Scoop the dough into 32 portions (use a tablespoon-size scoop). Roll into balls, then press each with a ¼ tsp to create an indent. Chill the dough for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange 8 cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 9–11 minutes (10 is ideal).
- Immediately after baking, use a ¼ tsp to re-press the centers if needed. Use a circular cookie cutter to reshape cookies into perfect circles while still warm.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Chocolate Cherry Ganache:
- Place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl.
- Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until just about to boil, then pour over the chocolate. Stir until smooth.
- Add cherry preserves to the chocolate mixture and mix until fully combined.
Assembling the Cookies:
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon of ganache into the center of each cookie. Add more if there’s space!
- Chill cookies in the fridge for 10–15 minutes to let the ganache set.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days—if they last that long!
Final Thoughts: Bake Chocolate Cherry Cookies Today!
If you’re a fan of chocolate, cherries, or elegant desserts, these Chocolate Cherry Cookies are a must-try. With their fudgy texture, rich ganache filling, and burst of cherry flavor, they’re as delicious as they are beautiful. Perfect for gifting, holiday trays, or indulgent snacks, these cookies are sure to impress.
Bake a batch today and watch them disappear—they’re that good! Share them with loved ones or enjoy them all to yourself—you deserve it!