Description
Sweet chocolate dreams meet nutty crunch in these irresistible cherry almond chocolate cookies. Crisp edges, chewy centers, and a delightful blend of rich chocolate, tart cherries, and toasted almonds invite you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup (120g) dried cherries, chopped
- ¾ cup (120g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup (60g) chopped almonds (toasted, optional)
Sweeteners:
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
Fats and Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Leavening and Seasoning:
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Create a workspace by positioning oven racks in the middle and heating to 350F (175C). Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper for smooth cookie release.
- Combine softened butter with granulated and brown sugars in a mixing bowl. Whip the mixture using an electric mixer until it transforms into a light, airy consistency with visible volume increase.
- Introduce egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Blend thoroughly, ensuring complete integration by scraping bowl sides periodically.
- Separately, sift flour, baking soda, and salt together. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing at low speed to prevent flour clouds and maintain smooth texture.
- Gently fold chocolate chips, chopped chocolate pieces, dried cherries, and sliced almonds into the dough. Distribute ingredients evenly to guarantee consistent flavor in each cookie.
- Portion dough using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, placing rounded mounds approximately two inches apart on prepared sheets. Delicately flatten each mound with fingertips to create uniform shape.
- Slide baking sheets into preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookie edges develop a golden-brown hue. Monitor closely to prevent over-browning, recognizing cookies will continue cooking briefly after removal.
- Let cookies rest on baking sheet for five minutes, allowing initial setting. Transfer to wire cooling rack, permitting complete cooling and texture stabilization before enjoying the rich, multi-textured treat.
Notes
- Customize Texture by Adjusting Ingredients: Swap butter for coconut oil to create a dairy-free version, ensuring same rich cookie experience while accommodating different dietary needs.
- Prevent Spreading with Chilled Dough: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain shape and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Enhance Flavor through Ingredient Toasting: Lightly toast sliced almonds before adding to dough to intensify nutty flavor and create deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Maximize Moisture with Precise Mixing: Mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined to avoid developing tough gluten, which can result in dense, chewy cookies instead of soft, tender texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 164
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg