If you are looking for a delectable treat that balances rich chocolate, bright cherries, and a hint of coffee flavor, then you have to try this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe. These cookies bring together the chewy tartness of dried cherries, the melty goodness of semi-sweet chocolate, and the subtle complexity of mocha chips. The texture is perfectly soft yet sturdy enough to hold all those gooey mix-ins, making every bite an absolute delight. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or impressing your friends with a homemade gift, these cookies are bound to steal the show.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each item plays an essential role, creating a harmony of flavors and textures that make these cookies unforgettable.
- Unsalted butter: Provides a creamy richness and helps achieve that perfect cookie softness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and a subtle crispness on the edges.
- Brown sugar: Offers moisture and a slight caramel depth for enhanced flavor.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together while lending a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Gives a warm, aromatic note that amplifies other flavors.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy base for the cookies’ texture.
- Baking soda and baking powder: Work hand-in-hand to ensure the cookies rise perfectly and spread evenly.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Classic chocolate chunks for bursts of melty indulgence.
- Dried cherries: Add a pleasant chew and tart contrast to the sweetness.
- Mocha chips: Infuse subtle coffee notes that elevate the chocolate’s richness.
- Optional sea salt: A pinch on top enhances flavor and adds a sophisticated touch.
How to Make Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. This simple preparation step sets the foundation for perfectly baked cookies every time.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat this mixture until it becomes light and fluffy—a key texture for tender cookies that still have a bit of chew. The creaming process also incorporates air, which helps the cookies rise beautifully.
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to fully combine. Then, pour in the vanilla extract to introduce that fragrant warmth. These ingredients bind everything together and bring depth to your cookie dough’s flavor profile.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed—crucial for consistent texture and balanced taste throughout your batch.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture while mixing gently. Stir just until you no longer see streaks of flour to avoid overworking the dough, which could lead to tougher cookies. This delicate balance ensures your Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe stays soft and chewy.
Step 6: Fold in the Sweet Add-ins
Now comes the fun part. Gently fold in the chopped dried cherries, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and mocha chips. Distribute them evenly throughout the dough so that every cookie is packed with flavor-packed bites. This blend of textures and tastes is what sets this recipe apart.
Step 7: Shape and Sprinkle
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading. Optionally, sprinkle each with a pinch of sea salt; this little extra catches the flavors and adds a gourmet touch that’s surprisingly addictive.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden, and the centers look set but still soft. Don’t overbake! You want these cookies to come out of the oven soft, chewy, and full of melty mix-ins.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheets for about five minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time allows the flavors to settle and prevents breakage when moving them around. Soon enough, you’ll be devouring your irresistible Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe.
How to Serve Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are stunning on their own, sprinkling a tiny bit of flaky sea salt right after baking perks up the flavors. For an even fancier treat, drizzle some melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies or dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Side Dishes
Pair your Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a rich cup of coffee to complement the mocha chips perfectly. For an indulgent dessert experience, serve them alongside vanilla ice cream or a simple scoop of cherry sorbet to highlight the fruity notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies into a charming tower bound with a rustic ribbon for gift-giving, or package them in mason jars layered with parchment paper as a sweet surprise. You can even sandwich softened cream cheese frosting between two cookies for an exciting twist on a classic cookie sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delightfully soft for up to a week, making them perfect for snacking throughout the week or bringing to parties without losing their magic.
Freezing
If you want to make these Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe in advance, scoop the dough balls onto a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Transfer the frozen dough to a freezer-safe bag, and bake the cookies straight from frozen whenever the craving hits. This way, you can have fresh-baked goodness anytime.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a low-temperature oven for a few minutes to revive that fresh-baked softness and melty chocolate. These quick tricks will make every bite taste like it just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried in this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe?
Fresh cherries contain more moisture than dried ones, which can alter the cookie texture and baking time. It’s best to stick with dried cherries for consistent results, though you could experiment by chopping fresh cherries and draining excess juice before folding them in.
What makes mocha chips different from regular chocolate chips?
Mocha chips have a blend of chocolate and coffee flavors, giving them a subtle coffee kick that enhances the richness of the chocolate. They add a sophisticated twist that elevates these cookies beyond the classic chocolate chip experience.
Is it necessary to use both baking soda and baking powder in this recipe?
Yes, the combination of baking soda and baking powder helps balance the rise and spread of the cookies. Baking soda reacts with the acidic brown sugar for lift, while baking powder adds extra leavening to keep them tender and light.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies maintain their soft texture and vibrant flavor for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option.
Can I substitute the butter with another fat source?
Butter delivers a distinctive flavor and contributes to the soft, chewy texture, so it’s recommended. However, you could try using margarine or coconut oil, keeping in mind this might slightly change the taste and texture.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to make this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe your go-to cookie. It has that perfect mix of sweet, tart, and coffee-kissed chocolate that feels both comforting and special. Once you take that first bite, these cookies are sure to become a beloved classic in your kitchen. So, grab your ingredients and start baking—you’re in for one delicious treat!
Print
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these irresistible Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips, perfectly combining the tartness of dried cherries, the richness of semi-sweet and mocha chocolate chips, and a hint of sea salt for a complex and satisfying cookie experience. These chewy cookies are easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cherries, chopped
- ½ cup mocha chips
Optional
- Sea salt for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure even baking and easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract to add flavor depth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the chopped dried cherries, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and mocha chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Sprinkle Sea Salt: Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of each cookie dough ball to enhance the chocolate and cherry flavors.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set but still soft.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to ensure the perfect texture.
Notes
- For a chewier cookie, slightly underbake by reducing baking time by 1-2 minutes.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for easier mixing and better texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Try substituting dried cranberries for cherries for a slightly different fruity flavor.
- Adding sea salt is optional but highly recommended to balance the sweetness and enhance the overall taste.
