Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (2024)

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These maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies always bring the wow factor to any gathering or special occasion. What’s even better? They take just 10 minutes to prep and have a perfect pink color for a beautiful display.

These cookies are SO GOOD! I used cherry juice instead of almond extract and mini white chocolate chips, and made them extra big- 12 cookies a batch. Definitely making these again, boyfriend was obsessed too!

-Jenna
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (1)

Cherry Cookies

I believe I have mentioned this before, whenever it’s one of my nieces or nephews birthdays, they get to pick what kind of cookie I make and mail to them. Pretty lucky, huh?!

Well one of my nieces doesn’t like chocolate… I know, I don’t understand – I live off chocolate. So I was giving her a few options of cookies I could make and one of the options was maraschino cherry cookies.

I got to work and made five test batches! Some of the batches were pretty funny looking – working with an add in like maraschino cherries can be hard because they have so much moisture. But I finally got the recipe just right!

The ones I mailed her didn’t have chocolate chips so you can definitely make these cherry cookies without the chips, but for us chocolate lovers, more chocolate the better!

Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (2)

The combination of maraschino cherries and chocolate chips reminds me of this delicious cherry cordial ice cream that the ice cream shop near our house has. I love the taste of cherry ice cream, especially if there’s chocolate!

The cherry flavor is on point. These pink cookies would also be fun for baby showers – especially for a baby girl!

We’ve also add these cookies to our cookie trays during the holidays. And we love gifting this easy recipe for valentine’s day.

Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (3)

Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions for making Cherry Cookies.

  • unsalted butter – Let the butter come to room temperature.
  • brown sugar – I recommend using light brown sugar for this recipe.
  • largeegg
  • vanilla extract
  • almond extract
  • pink gel food coloring – I recommend AmeriColor brand.
  • all purpose flour
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • maraschino cherries – Well drained & finely chopped.
  • semi-sweet chocolate chips – You can substitute or dark, milk or white chocolate chips.

I love the flavor the 1/8 teaspoon almond extract adds to this cookie recipe. Cherry-almond cookies were a match made in heaven!

How to Make Cherry Cookies

  1. In a large bowl beat the softened butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer or in a stand mixer for 1 minute, or until combined.
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (4)
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (5)
  1. Add in the egg and extracts, beat again.
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (6)
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (7)
  1. Gel food coloring. Add in a small amount of pink gel food coloring and mix.
  2. Add dry ingredients. In separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing by hand with a spatula.
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (8)
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (9)
  1. Add-ins. Add in the finely chopped cherries and chocolate chips, mix by hand until combined. The batter will be thick.
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (10)
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (11)
  1. Scoop. Use a cookie scoop to drop dough balls onto a silicone lined baking sheet or parchment paper. Press additional cherries and chocolate chips into the outside of the dough balls.
  2. Bake for 14-16 minutes. Be sure not to over bake or the cookies will loose their pink color and turn brown.
  3. Cool. Allow the cookies to cool to the touch on the baking sheet (about 15 minutes) then move them to a wire rack.
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (12)

Cherry Cookie Baking Time

For the cherry chocolate cookies in the photos, the dough balls were about 3 heaping tablespoons, so that’s a large cookie!

I baked those for 14-16 minutes – just until the edge of the cookie would begin to turn golden. The result is a soft and chewy cherry chocolate chip cookie!

If you make smaller dough balls, you should reduce the baking time otherwise the cookies will be over done.

Time Required for Chocolate Cherry Cookies

  • 10 minutes to make the cookie dough
  • 14-16 minutes to bake the cookies
  • 15 minutes to cool the cookies
Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (13)

Gluten Free Cherry Cookies

I have made these cookies multiple times with King Arthur’s Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour with great success.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Tips

Here are some tips and hints for perfect cherry cookies.

Properly measure the all purpose flour using the spoon and sweep method.

You need 3/4 cup chopped & drained maraschino cherries. Plus an extra 2 tablespoons or so for garnish. 3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries is about half a 16 oz jar.

Be sure to drain the cherries well. Once you drained off the juice, put the cherries on a few paper towels and let the extra maraschino cherry juice soak up.

Once the cherries have been drained, finely chop them.

If you want the tops of your cookies to look loaded with cherries & chocolate chips like the ones you see in the photos, be sure to add additional cherries and chocolate chips to the outside of the dough balls before baking the cookies.

Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (14)

Can you freeze maraschino cherry cookies?

Maraschino cherry cookies freeze beautifully! Wrap them in individual portions with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment between the layers to keep them from sticking.

Freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

In the mood for more sweets? Learn how to add crumb topping to any muffin or try chocolate pudding pie!

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Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (15)

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Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

By: Beth

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 20 cookies

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These maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies always bring the wow factor to any gathering or special occasion. What’s even better? They take just 10 minutes to prep and have a perfect pink color for a beautiful display.

Ingredients

  • ½ stick unsalted butter, softened, 1/4 cup
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • tsp almond extract
  • Small amount of pink gel food coloring
  • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour, 180 grams, properly measured
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup drained & finely chopped maraschino cherries, plus extra for garnish
  • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for garnish

Instructions

  • It's critical that you measure the flour accurately. Unknowingly adding too much flour will result in dry cookies.

    The most accurate way to measure flour is to use a kitchen scale, weighing it in grams.

    If you don’t have a kitchen scale, follow this method.

    Aerate the flour with a whisk or spoon. Flour becomes heavy and compact as it sits. Aerating is the same as fluffing the flour, but not the same as sifting it. Do not sift the flour unless the recipe specifically calls for it. Use a spoon to sprinkle the flour into the measuring cup. Do not tap the cup against the counter, as this will compact the flour. Use the back of a butter knife to level off the excess.

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.

  • In a mixing bowl beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer for 1 minute, or until combined. Add in the egg and extracts, beat again.

  • Add in a small amount of pink gel food coloring and mix.

  • In separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing by hand with a spatula.

  • Add in the finely chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips, mix by hand until combined. The batter will be thick.

  • Use a cookie scoop to drop dough balls onto a silicone lined baking sheet. Press additional cherries and chocolate chips into the outside of the dough balls.

  • Bake for 14-16 minutes – be sure not to over bake or the cookies will loose their pink color and turn brown.

  • Allow the cookies to cool to the touch on the baking sheet (about 15 minutes) then move them to a cooling rack.

Video

Notes

I recommend using pink gel food coloring. Gel food coloring in very pigmented, meaning a little goes a long way. Using liquid food coloring in the dropper bottles will not result in the same bright pink color.

This recipe turned out great using gluten free flour too! We love King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour.

Nutrition

Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 91IU | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Beth

I believe that everyone should have a go-to dessert to bring to parties! With hundreds of recipes, I'll help you find yours!

Read More About Me

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Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with a jar of maraschino cherries? ›

15 Ways to Use Maraschino Cherries
  1. 01 of 15. Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies II. ...
  2. 02 of 15. Maraschino Cherry Pound Cake. ...
  3. 03 of 15. Divine Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream. ...
  4. 04 of 15. Cinnamon Tortilla Surprise. ...
  5. 05 of 15. Adult Slushies. ...
  6. 06 of 15. Banana Split Cake Bars. ...
  7. 07 of 15. Cherry Walnut Bars. ...
  8. 08 of 15. Classic Old Fashioned.
Feb 3, 2020

Are maraschino cherries good baking? ›

These cherries are commonly used as a garnish in drinks, ice cream sundaes and embellishment in decorated cakes. They can also be used in cookies, muffins and cold cake fillings such as black forest cakes and as a topping in pineapple upsidedown cake.

What do they soak maraschino cherries in? ›

In their modern form, the cherries are first preserved in a brine solution usually containing sulfur dioxide and calcium chloride to bleach the fruit, then soaked in a suspension of food coloring (common red food dye is FD&C Red 40), sugar syrup, and other components.

What is so special about maraschino cherries? ›

Maraschino cherries, also known as cocktail cherries, are preserved, sweetened, and artificially colored to become bright red cherries. That's why they have a different taste and composition (no pits) than natural cherries.

Do maraschino cherries dissolve in your stomach? ›

Uhm, no. That's another one of those weird urban myths you don't need to worry about any more. You digest maraschinos just as you would any other fruit or candy. How do you pronounce “Maraschino”?

Do maraschino cherries in a jar go bad? ›

According to Tracey Brigman, EdD, associate director of the National Center for Home Food Preservation, an unopened jar of cocktail cherries can last for up to two years. “Once opened, they can keep for about 6 to 12 months, as long as they are continuously refrigerated during that time,” Brigman continues.

Can you drink the juice in maraschino cherries? ›

If you're a fan of both maraschino cherries and chocolate, you can stir just a few drops of the potent liquid from the jar of cherries into a cup of your favorite hot chocolate, leaving it tasting like a cherry cordial truffle.

Why do maraschino cherries taste like medicine? ›

Additionally, because of its tenacity, benzaldehyde is used in pharmaceutical products to mask off-notes, cough drops, and syrup, which causes people to associate it as medicinal.

Can you drink maraschino straight? ›

Maraschino liqueur can be sipped neat, on its own, but it's typically used as a modifier in cocktails. A good choice for slightly tarter drinkers, it's less sweet than simple syrup or many other fruit liqueurs but still works to balance a cocktail.

What is the difference between Luxardo and maraschino cherries? ›

Luxardos are on a different level than the ice-cream-shop maraschinos of your childhood. Each fruit is dark and sticky with a satisfying bite. Plus, there are no artificial ingredients in Luxardos. You won't find corn syrup or red dyes on the ingredient list, so the cherries actually taste like, well, cherries.

Are maraschino cherries kept in grenadine? ›

Contrary to popular belief, grenadine is not a cherry-flavored syrup. Maraschino cherries have nothing to do with it. This sweet-tart syrup is actually made from pomegranates, and it is surprisingly easy to make at home. Think of grenadine the way you might consider simple syrup and sour mix.

Are candied cherries the same as maraschino cherries? ›

Glace (candied) cherries are cooked in a sugar syrup until they are almost completely preserved and are then dried so that they are just slightly stickly. Maraschino cherries are instead stored in sugar syrup, are not cooked for such a long time and tend to be softer in texture.

What embalming fluid is in maraschino cherries? ›

An urban myth prevented me early on from eating them – word got around they were preserved in formaldehyde and could not be digested. Not quite, as it turns out. The cherries are actually preserved in sodium metabisulfate, calcium chloride and citric acid and subsequently dyed those alarming shades of red and green.

What's the difference between Amarena and maraschino cherries? ›

Generally speaking, Maraschino cherries are sweet and Amarenas are sour. The traditional European method for creating maraschino cherries is to preserve Marasca cherries in maraschino liqueur (think Luxardo Maraschino).

What drinks are maraschino cherries for? ›

And where there's maraschino liqueur, there should be a maraschino cherry.
  • Aviation Cocktail (Difford's recipe) With: Dry gin, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, creme de violette and lemon juice. ...
  • Casino. ...
  • Closing Argument. ...
  • Division Bell. ...
  • Dublin Minstrel. ...
  • Fancy Free. ...
  • King's Jubilee. ...
  • The Last Word.

Can you freeze jarred maraschino cherries? ›

Freeze-friendly- you betcha. I am freezing most of these in little ziploc bags, and will even freeze the juice (of which there is LOTS) to use for the aforementioned Cherry Chew Squares.

What is the myth about maraschino cherries? ›

An urban myth prevented me early on from eating them – word got around they were preserved in formaldehyde and could not be digested. Not quite, as it turns out. The cherries are actually preserved in sodium metabisulfate, calcium chloride and citric acid and subsequently dyed those alarming shades of red and green.

What are the uses of maraschino? ›

Maraschino liqueur can be sipped neat, on its own, but it's typically used as a modifier in cocktails. A good choice for slightly tarter drinkers, it's less sweet than simple syrup or many other fruit liqueurs but still works to balance a cocktail.

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