🍒 Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies — A Pretty Pink Treat Everyone Loves

If you’ve ever wished your favorite chocolate chip cookies had a sweet, colorful twist, you’re going to fall in love with Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies! These soft, chewy, and oh-so-pretty cookies are bursting with juicy cherries and rich chocolate chips — the perfect combination of nostalgia and indulgence.

Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day 💕, a baby shower 🎀, or simply to brighten a gloomy afternoon, these cookies always steal the spotlight. Their soft texture, subtle almond flavor, and cheerful pink hue make them as beautiful as they are delicious.

Let’s dive into this irresistible recipe that’s been loved by home bakers everywhere and shared countless times across kitchens, Pinterest boards, and family gatherings.

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🍪 Why You’ll Love These Cookies

• Sweet and Fruity – The maraschino cherries add a burst of fruity flavor and moisture to every bite.
• Chocolate Perfection – Semi-sweet chocolate chips perfectly balance the sweetness of the cherries. 🍫
• Soft and Chewy Texture – Thanks to the brown sugar and butter base, these cookies stay tender and moist.
• Pretty in Pink – A touch of pink gel food coloring makes them visually stunning — perfect for festive occasions. 🌸
• Easy to Make – No complicated techniques here! Just classic cookie-making steps with a fun twist.

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🧈 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to make these delicious cookies.

Ingredients:

• ½ stick unsalted butter, softened (¼ cup) 🧈
• ¾ cup light brown sugar 🍬
• 1 large egg 🥚
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 🌿
• ⅛ 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) 🍫

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🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

These cookies come together easily — just follow each step and you’ll have bakery-quality cookies ready in no time!

1. Measure the Flour Accurately

Properly measure the flour by aerating it with a whisk or spoon. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup without tapping, and level it off with the back of a butter knife.
✅ Tip: Accurate measuring ensures your cookies stay soft and don’t turn out dense or dry.

2. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and promotes even baking.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer for about 1 minute until light and well combined.
Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat again until smooth and creamy.

Mix in a small amount of pink gel food coloring until you achieve your desired shade of pink. The color will fade slightly when baked, so go a little brighter than you think! 💗

4. Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring by hand with a spatula until just combined.

Do not overmix! Overmixing can make cookies tough.

5. Add the Cherries and Chocolate Chips

Fold in the finely chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips. The dough will be thick and speckled with bits of cherry and chocolate — a sign of good things to come! 🍒🍫

6. Form the Cookies

Use a cookie scoop (about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough) to drop balls onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Press a few extra cherry pieces and chocolate chips on top for garnish — this makes them look extra irresistible once baked.

7. Bake to Perfection

Bake for 14–16 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underbaked.
⚠️ Important: Don’t overbake! You want to keep that soft pink color and chewy texture.

8. Cool and Serve

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Once cooled, you’ll have soft, chewy cookies that taste like a dream — the perfect blend of cherry and chocolate in every bite!

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🍒 Tips for the Best Maraschino Cherry Cookies

• Drain Cherries Well: Pat the cherries dry after chopping to prevent excess moisture from making the dough too wet.
• Use Gel Food Coloring: Liquid food coloring can change the dough’s texture; gel works best.
• Chill the Dough (Optional): If your dough feels too soft, chill it for 15–20 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
• Add Garnish Before Baking: Pressing a few extra cherries and chocolate chips on top gives them that bakery-style look.
• Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature, or freeze for up to 3 months.

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☕ How to Serve These Cookies

These cookies are perfect with:

• A cup of hot coffee or espresso ☕
• A tall glass of cold milk 🥛
• Vanilla or cherry ice cream for a fun dessert twist 🍨

They also make a sweet addition to:

• Valentine’s Day dessert platters ❤️
• Bridal or baby showers 💐
• Holiday cookie exchanges 🎄

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🍫 Variations to Try

Want to experiment? Try these fun flavor twists:

• White Chocolate Chips: For a sweeter, creamier taste.
• Dark Chocolate Chunks: Adds a bold, rich flavor.
• Add Coconut Flakes: For a tropical vibe. 🥥
• Dip in White Chocolate: Once cooled, dip half the cookie in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed cherries for a gourmet finish.

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💬 Baker’s Notes

These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are a true crowd-pleaser. Home bakers rave about how soft, flavorful, and pretty they are — and how quickly they disappear at parties! The subtle almond note from the extract perfectly enhances the cherry flavor, while the gooey chocolate chips add that comforting touch of decadence we all love.

One of the best things about these cookies is their balance — sweet but not overwhelming, rich but not heavy. The combination of chewy texture, fruity pops of cherry, and melty chocolate makes every bite an experience worth savoring.

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🧾 Nutrition Information (Per Cookie)

(Approximate values — may vary depending on size and ingredients used.)

• Calories: 165
• Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Sugars: 14g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g

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