Name: Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 1 h 3 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour; 2 tsp cornstarch; 1 tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature; 1¼ cups (267g) light brown sugar; ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ⅛ tsp almond extract; ¼ tsp pink gel food coloring; 1 cup drained & finely chopped maraschino cherries, plus extra for garnish; 2 cups (12 oz bag) semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for garnish

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 28 reviews

If you are looking for a delightful and colorful treat that bursts with cheerful flavor, this Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe is just what you need. These cookies are a vibrant twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie, featuring the sweet, tangy bite of maraschino cherries and a stunning pink hue that makes them as fun to look at as they are to eat. With a perfect balance of soft chewiness and melty chocolate chips, these cookies are guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face and become your new favorite go-to bake.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass mixing bowl filled with bright pink dough that has small dark chocolate chips and red bits mixed throughout. The dough shows soft and slightly fluffy texture, with swirls and folds from mixing, and it sticks slightly to the sides of the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, adding contrast to the vibrant pink color of the dough. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Each ingredient in this Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe plays an essential role in creating the perfect cookie—from the foundation of flour for structure to the cherries for bursts of fruity sweetness. Let’s break down these simple yet crucial components that make this recipe unforgettable.

3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy base and chew factor that every cookie needs.
2 tsp cornstarch: Adds tenderness and softness to the cookie texture.
1 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough without losing their dense, chewy quality.
¼ tsp salt: Enhances all the sweet and fruity flavors beautifully.
2 cups (12 oz bag) semi-sweet chocolate chips: For those irresistible pockets of rich chocolate throughout.
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature: Gives a luscious, buttery richness and helps with the cookie’s soft texture.
1¼ cups (267g) light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel undertone that complements the cherries perfectly.
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with a slight crisp edge on the cookies.
2 large eggs: Bind the dough and add a bit of lift and structure.
1 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses the cookie dough with warm, sweet aroma.
⅛ tsp almond extract: Enhances the cherry flavor with a subtle nutty note.
¼ tsp pink gel food coloring: Gives the cookies that lovely, vibrant pink color you’ll fall in love with.
1 cup drained & finely chopped maraschino cherries: The star ingredient that brings juicy bursts of flavor and bright color.

How to Make Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Cherry and Dry Ingredients

Start by draining your maraschino cherries thoroughly and chopping them finely. It’s important to get rid of extra juice to avoid soggy cookies. Then, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt until well combined—this dry mixture lays the groundwork for your cookie dough’s perfect texture.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature butter with both the light brown and granulated sugars until the mixture turns fluffy and pale, about 2 minutes. This step is key—it aerates the butter and sugar, making the cookies light yet soft.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavors

Mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract on medium speed just until combined. Then stir in the pink gel food coloring until the dough reaches a gorgeous blush pink color—this is what transforms these cookies into the eye-catching treat they are!

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Add Mix-ins

Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed to avoid overworking the dough. It will become thick and luscious. Next, fold in the finely chopped cherries and 1 cup of the chocolate chips, ensuring every spoonful of dough is studded with flavor.

Step 5: Form and Chill the Cookies

Using a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), shape your dough into balls. Press the remaining chocolate chips and some extra chopped cherries on the outside of each dough ball for a stunning finish. Place the prepared cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes—this chilling step is crucial for maintaining their shape during baking.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Bake 6 to 8 cookies at a time for 10 to 13 minutes. Watch carefully: you want them slightly underbaked when you take them out so they stay soft and chewy, with that gorgeous pink color intact. The cookies will continue baking on the hot sheet after removal, giving you the ideal texture.

How to Serve Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe

The image shows several pink cookie dough balls on a baking tray lined with a light beige silicone mat. Each dough ball is rounded with a rough texture, dotted with dark brown chocolate chips and small bright red fruit pieces inside. The dough balls are arranged in two rows along the tray, with the focus on the front ball that shows a mix of colors and chunky bits. The tray edges are silver metal, and the background is softly blurred. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Add extra chocolate chips or small maraschino cherry pieces on top of your warm cookies for an inviting, homemade look that’ll impress guests and family alike. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a delicate touch.

Side Dishes

The slightly tangy and sweet nature of these cookies pairs wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or hot cup of coffee. For a fun twist, try them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert that brings out the cherry flavor beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or special occasions, arrange your Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe treats on a tiered platter with vibrant napkins in coordinating pink shades. Wrapping a few in cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons also makes for lovely, edible gifts that are sure to warm anyone’s heart.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, keep them uncovered at room temperature for up to 3 days to avoid sogginess caused by the cherries’ moisture. This will help them maintain their crisp edges and chewy centers.

Freezing

You can freeze formed dough balls on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a resealable freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just pop the dough balls frozen into the oven, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes to the baking time. This makes baking on demand super easy and delicious.

Reheating

Reheat your cookies gently in a 300ºF oven for about 5 minutes to revive that fresh-baked warmth and melty chocolate goodness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the cookies too soft or chewy in spots.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries don’t have the same sweetness or vibrant color as maraschino cherries, so they will change the cookie’s flavor and look. If you want to experiment, be sure to pit and chop them finely, and reduce added liquid to prevent sogginess.

Why is it important to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling the dough helps the cookies retain their shape during baking and results in a chewier texture. It also solidifies the fat, which prevents excessive spreading in the oven so your cookies stay perfectly round and thick.

Can I skip the food coloring?

Yes, but the pink gel food coloring gives these cookies their signature look that makes them so fun and festive. Without it, the flavor will still shine, but the visual impact won’t be quite the same.

How can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend like King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour. This will keep the texture close to the original while accommodating gluten sensitivities.

What’s the best way to measure flour accurately?

Using a kitchen scale is ideal—it ensures you get exactly 360g. If you don’t have one, fluff your flour with a whisk, lightly spoon it into the measuring cup without packing, and level it off with a knife to avoid dense cookies.

Final Thoughts

This Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite in your baking repertoire. They combine playful color, luscious texture, and a burst of cherry and chocolate that’s impossible to resist. I can’t wait for you to try these and share the joy with friends and family—happy baking!