If you love the irresistible combination of cherries and chocolate in a cookie, then you absolutely must try this Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe. It’s inspired by a classic ice cream flavor yet transforms into warm, chewy cookies bursting with bright maraschino cherry pieces and rich chocolate chunks. Perfectly soft with just a hint of almond extract and a pop of color from the food coloring, these cookies feel both nostalgic and delightfully fresh. Whether you bake a batch for an afternoon treat or a party dessert, this Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe brings happiness with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together simply but purposefully, each bringing a unique texture, flavor, or color that makes this cookie so special. From the tender flour base to the light sweetness of brown sugar, and of course the cherries and chocolate providing bursts of flavor, every element is essential for the perfect Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that keeps cookies soft yet holds all the mix-ins.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough, giving a tender crumb.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all those delicious flavors.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create that perfect cookie crust.
- Light brown sugar: Adds chewiness and a hint of caramel flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to every bite.
- Almond extract: Gives just a whisper of nuttiness that complements the cherries beautifully.
- Large eggs (room temperature): Bind everything together and keep cookies tender.
- Red or electric pink food coloring: Infuses the dough with that fun and vibrant cherry-inspired color.
- Maraschino cherries: Drained and chopped, these provide juicy bursts of sweetness throughout the cookie.
- Dark chocolate chunks: Melt into gooey pockets of rich chocolate.
- Mini chocolate chips: Sprinkle additional chocolate goodness and enhance texture.
How to Make Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F so it’s ready when your cookie dough is mixed. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures an even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning before mixing with the wet ingredients.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
Next, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key because it incorporates air, helping your cookies rise slightly and develop a tender texture. The blend of sugars balances sweetness and chewiness for that perfect bite.
Step 3: Add Flavors and Eggs
Beat in vanilla and almond extracts along with your chosen food coloring and eggs. The almond extract is a subtle but game-changing addition that elevates the cherry flavor beautifully, while the food coloring gives your dough a delightful, vibrant hue that hints at the cherry inside.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chips
Slowly incorporate the flour mixture into your butter and egg mixture, beating on low to avoid overmixing which can toughen cookies. Then fold in the mini chocolate chips just until they’re evenly distributed.
Step 5: Fold in Cherries and Chocolate Chunks
Gently stir in the chopped maraschino cherries, reserving about half a cup to decorate the top of your cookies after baking. Add dark chocolate chunks and more mini chocolate chips, mixing carefully so the fruit and chocolate don’t get smashed but are still well incorporated.
Step 6: Bake and Garnish
Scoop the dough into balls placed about two inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden on the bottoms and just set. While still warm, press a couple of reserved cherries or chocolate chunks onto the tops for a picture-perfect finish. Let cool on a rack to firm up before enjoying.
How to Serve Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A few fresh maraschino cherries or extra chocolate chunks pressed on top after baking aren’t just pretty, they amp up the flavor. For an extra special touch, dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies for an elegant twist.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a cup of robust black coffee. The creamy or bitter options balance the cookies’ sweetness and make for a dreamy dessert combo.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe stacked on a vintage plate for a nostalgic vibe or arrange them in a cookie jar for guests to enjoy. You could also sandwich softened cherry jam and whipped cream between two cookies for an indulgent treat that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Cherry Garcia Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This will preserve their soft, chewy texture and keep the cherries moist and delicious.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either before or after baking. For dough, scoop balls onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. For baked cookies, place in a sealed container with parchment between layers and freeze for up to two months.
Reheating
To enjoy them warm again, reheat baked cookies in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or until soft and warmed through. This refreshes the chocolate chunks and revives that fresh-baked feeling.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh cherries for maraschino cherries?
Fresh cherries have a different texture and moisture content than maraschino cherries, which are sweeter and softer. Using fresh cherries may result in wetter dough and a less intense cherry flavor, so if you want the classic Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe experience, maraschino is best.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
If you don’t have almond extract on hand, you can simply omit it. The cookies will still be delicious, but that hint of nuttiness that pairs so perfectly with the cherries will be missing. You might consider a tiny splash of vanilla or another extract you like instead.
Can I use chocolate chips instead of chunks?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips work well and melt nicely in the cookies. Using chunks just adds larger pockets of melty chocolate, but mini chips combined with regular chips or chunks achieves a great texture too.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted before creaming with the sugar. Also, chilling the cookie dough for about 30 minutes before baking can help keep their shape, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies.
Are these cookies suitable for freezer storage?
Yes! Both the dough and baked cookies freeze well, making the Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe a great make-ahead treat. Properly sealed, they can last several months and still taste fresh after thawing.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe enough if you’re looking for a fun, flavorful, and comforting homemade cookie. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the classic cherry-chocolate combo in a fresh new form that’s both chewy and delightfully rich. Give it a try and I promise these cookies will quickly become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire!
