Irresistible Black Forest Cookies with Cherries and Chocolate Recipe

Diving into a world of decadent black forest cookies brings pure chocolate-cherry magic right to your plate.

These delightful treats blend rich cocoa with sweet cherries in an irresistible combination.

Soft chocolate edges and juicy cherry bits create a harmonious dance of flavors.

Classic German dessert inspiration meets homemade comfort in every delectable bite.

Nostalgic yet modern, these cookies promise to spark joy and satisfy serious sweet cravings.

Smooth chocolate melts against tangy cherry pieces, making each cookie a miniature celebration.

Round up your ingredients and let’s bake something extraordinary that will make everyone smile.

Black Forest Cookies with Cherries and Chocolate Richness

• Kids and adults will love the playful combination of cherries, white chocolate, and semi-sweet chocolate chips that create a delicious taste adventure.
• These cookies work wonderfully as a casual snack, potluck contribution, or elegant dessert plate addition, making them incredibly adaptable for different events.
• Even novice bakers can easily master this recipe with straightforward instructions and minimal technical skills required, ensuring delicious results every time.

What Goes into Black Forest Cookies

• Butter, Eggs, Vanilla Extract: Creamy base that provides richness and helps bind the cookie dough together. Softened butter ensures smooth mixing and even texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to a soft, chewy texture. Brown sugar adds depth of flavor and moisture.

• All-Purpose Flour, Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Salt: Foundation of the cookie structure. Cocoa powder gives deep chocolate flavor, while leavening agents help cookies rise and become light.

• Maraschino Cherries, White Chocolate Chips, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Add bursts of flavor and texture. Cherries provide a sweet-tart contrast, while different chocolate chips create a complex chocolate experience. Choose high-quality cherries and chocolate for best results.

How to Bake Black Forest Cookies with Moist Centers

Step 1: Prepare Cherries

Drain maraschino cherries using a colander. Gently press paper towels on cherries to remove excess liquid. Chop cherries into tiny pieces using a sharp knife. Set chopped cherries aside in a small bowl.

Step 2: Create Butter Mixture

Place softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to blend ingredients until they become creamy and fluffy. This process should take about 2-3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and blend until smooth.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients together until perfectly blended with no visible lumps.

Step 4: Merge Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture. Stir gently until ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can make cookies tough.

Step 5: Incorporate Additional Ingredients

• Chopped maraschino cherries
• White chocolate chips
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Ensure ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.

Step 6: Chill Dough

Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator for minimum 1 hour. Chilling helps prevent cookies from spreading during baking and enhances flavor development.

Step 7: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.

Step 8: Shape Cookie Dough

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create rounded dough balls. Place them on prepared baking sheets, keeping approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie.

Step 9: Bake Cookies

Place baking sheets in preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookie edges look set and centers remain slightly soft. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Tips for Balanced Cherry and Chocolate Flavor

• Drain Cherries Thoroughly: Pat maraschino cherries completely dry to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy and affecting texture.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate cookie dough for at least one hour to control spreading, enhance flavor development, and create a richer, more complex taste profile.
• Prevent Overmixing: Gently combine wet and dry ingredients just until incorporated to maintain a tender, soft cookie texture without developing tough gluten strands.
• Balance Chocolate Chips: Use a mix of white and semi-sweet chocolate chips to create depth of flavor and visual interest in your Black Forest cookies.
• Bake with Precision: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers remain slightly soft, allowing them to continue cooking slightly on the hot baking sheet for perfect consistency.

Store Black Forest Cookies for Longer Freshness

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
• Remove cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving. Enjoy them as if freshly baked.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft, gooey texture.

What to Serve with Black Forest Cookies

• Pair these rich Black Forest Cookies with a velvety vanilla bean gelato that complements the deep chocolate and bright cherry flavors, creating a luxurious dessert experience that dances on your palate.
• Serve alongside a robust dark roast coffee or a smooth espresso, which will enhance the cookies' deep chocolate notes and cut through the sweetness with its bold, bitter undertones.
• Enjoy with a glass of cherry liqueur or a chilled red wine like Pinot Noir, allowing the fruity and chocolatey elements to intertwine and elevate the cookie's complex flavor profile.
• Top the cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar or garnish with fresh whipped cream to add an extra layer of decadence and visual appeal.

New Takes on Classic Black Forest Cookies

• Gluten-Free Forest Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring the same rich chocolate and cherry flavor.
• Vegan Cherry Chocolate Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based version of these indulgent cookies.
• Low-Sugar Black Forest Option: Substitute granulated and brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the cookie's delectable taste profile.
• Nutty Cherry Chocolate Version: Add chopped almonds or pecans to the dough for extra crunch and depth, complementing the existing chocolate and cherry ingredients without overwhelming the original recipe's essence.

Black Forest Cookies With Cherries And Chocolate Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Black Forest Cookies blend German dessert nostalgia with irresistible cookie charm, marrying rich chocolate and luscious cherries in one delightful bite. Chocolate lovers will savor these classic treats that bring European bakery magic straight to home kitchens.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened

Sugars:

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (175g) maraschino cherries, drained, patted dry, and chopped
• 1 cup (170g) white chocolate chips
• 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Carefully drain and pat maraschino cherries dry to remove excess liquid, then finely dice into small, uniform pieces.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes creamy and aerated.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then introduce vanilla extract and mix smoothly.
4. Separately combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, whisking to create a uniform dry ingredient mixture.
5. Gently merge dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring minimally to maintain cookie tenderness and prevent gluten development.
6. Delicately fold chopped cherries, white chocolate chips, and semi-sweet chocolate chips throughout the dough, distributing ingredients evenly.
7. Wrap the dough and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to prevent excessive spreading during baking and enhance flavor development.
8. Warm the oven to 350F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
9. Utilize a cookie scoop to create uniform dough balls, positioning them approximately two inches apart on prepared sheets.
10. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookie edges stabilize and centers remain slightly soft, creating a perfect chewy texture.
11. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture.

Notes

• Pat cherries completely dry to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy and affecting texture.
• Chill dough for at least an hour to control cookie spread and enhance flavor development through ingredient melding.
• Avoid overmixing cookie dough to maintain a tender, soft texture and prevent tough, dense cookies.
• Experiment with dark chocolate chips or kirsch-soaked cherries for a more intense Black Forest flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
• Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 204
• Sugar: 11g
• Sodium: 95mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 24mg