If you adore the rich flavors of chocolate combined with the tartness of cherries, then you’re going to fall head over heels for this Black Forest Cookies Recipe. These cookies are an absolute celebration of everything that makes Black Forest desserts so beloved, but with a delightful cookie twist. Imagine biting into a soft, chocolatey cookie bursting with dried cherries and both white and semi-sweet chocolate chips, delivering a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. Whether you need a cozy treat for a chilly afternoon or a crowd-pleaser for your next gathering, this Black Forest Cookies Recipe brings heaven to your fingertips in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things straightforward with pantry staples and a handful of special ingredients that elevate the cookies’ flavor and texture. Each component plays an important role, from the cocoa powder that deepens the chocolate flavor to the dried cherries adding that subtle tart contrast.
- Chocolate chip cookie mix: The foundation of your cookie dough, making the process quick and easy without sacrificing taste.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds a rich chocolate depth and dark color to make these cookies truly indulgent.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and create that soft, chewy texture everyone loves.
- Salted butter, softened: Brings moisture, richness, and a touch of saltiness to balance the sweetness.
- Dried cherries, chopped: Provide a lovely tart bite and chewy texture that contrast beautifully with the chocolate.
- White chocolate chips: Add creamy, sweet pockets that melt gently as you bite into the cookie.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Offer a bittersweet punch that complements the cocoa and cherries perfectly.
How to Make Black Forest Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350º F and lining two large cookie sheets with parchment paper. This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking, so you end up with picture-perfect baking results every time.
Step 2: Mix the Cookie Base
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the chocolate chip cookie mix and the unsweetened cocoa powder. This combination gives your cookies a gorgeous dark chocolate flavor that’s rich and inviting. Make sure it’s evenly combined to avoid any clumps of cocoa powder.
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Butter
Use a hand or stand mixer to blend in the eggs and softened salted butter. Beat until the mixture transforms into a thick yet soft dough. Don’t forget to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula now and then to get all that delicious dough mixed consistently.
Step 4: Fold In Cherry and Chocolate Goodies
This is where your Black Forest Cookies Recipe really starts to shine. Gently fold in the chopped dried cherries, white chocolate chips, and semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough. These add-ins distribute bursts of flavor and texture throughout every cookie, making each bite a delightful surprise.
Step 5: Scoop and Shape Cookies
Grab a 1 1⁄2 tablespoon cookie scoop to keep your cookies uniform in size, rolling each scoop of dough into a smooth ball. This not only makes for even baking but also gives your cookies that homemade, rustic charm.
Step 6: Arrange on Cookie Sheets
Place the cookie dough balls evenly on your prepared sheets, arranging them about 1 to 2 inches apart to give them enough room to spread without merging into one big cookie cookie!
Step 7: Bake Until Perfect
Bake your cookies for 8 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the centers no longer look wet. Timing is everything here: pull them out too soon and they might be doughy; bake too long and they lose their tender chewiness.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the sheet for at least five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting time allows the cookies to set up beautifully, whether you want to serve them warm or at room temperature.
How to Serve Black Forest Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra dried cherries or white chocolate chips on top of freshly baked cookies for a charming presentation and an extra pop of flavor. A light dusting of powdered sugar also complements the cookies’ rich chocolate tones beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or even a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream for a nostalgic and comforting dessert experience. They also beautifully accompany a fresh berry salad that mirrors the cherry notes in the cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Black Forest Cookies Recipe on a festive platter garnished with fresh cherries and mint leaves for holiday parties. Or stack them in a cookie jar layered with wax paper for an adorable gift idea that’s sure to earn sweet compliments.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftover cookies (which is rare but possible), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to five days, perfect for snacking or surprising your family the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet and then transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To warm up cookies and bring back that freshly baked feel, pop them in a preheated 300º F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave briefly for 10-15 seconds. This helps the chocolate chips soften and the cookie regain that just-baked softness.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh cherries for dried cherries in this recipe?
Fresh cherries have more moisture than dried cherries, which could affect the cookie dough consistency and baking time. It’s best to stick with dried cherries for a chewy texture and concentrated tartness, but if using fresh, chop and toss them lightly in flour before folding in.
What if I don’t have a cookie scoop?
No worries! You can use two spoons or simply drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the cookie sheet, shaping them gently with your hands for an even bake and charming rustic look.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the chocolate chip cookie mix with a gluten-free variety and ensure the rest of your ingredients are gluten-free certified. They’ll taste just as incredible without any gluten concerns.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted; melted butter can cause cookies to spread excessively. Also, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help maintain cookie shape.
How do I get the white chocolate chips to stay whole during baking?
To minimize melting into the dough, fold the white chocolate chips in gently last and avoid overmixing. You can also try slightly larger chips or chunks for more noticeable pockets of creamy sweetness.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am to try this Black Forest Cookies Recipe! They bring together the best of chocolate and cherries in a way that feels both nostalgic and unique. Whether for holiday treats, gifts, or just a fun baking day, these cookies are sure to put smiles on faces and warmth in hearts. Trust me, once you make them, they’ll become a beloved staple in your cookie repertoire.
Print
Black Forest Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Black Forest Cookies combine rich chocolate with the classic flavors of cherries and white chocolate for a delightful treat. Easy to prepare with a chocolate chip cookie mix enhanced by cocoa powder, dried cherries, and dual chocolate chips, these cookies offer a soft, chewy texture with a perfect balance of sweet and tart notes.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 17.5 oz bag chocolate chip cookie mix
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
Add-ins
- 1 cup dried cherries, chopped
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the chocolate chip cookie mix and unsweetened cocoa powder until fully blended for an even chocolate flavor throughout the dough.
- Mix Wet Ingredients into Dry: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat in the two large eggs and softened salted butter until the mixture forms a thick but soft dough. Make sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula as needed to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Fold in Cherries and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the chopped dried cherries, white chocolate chips, and semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough to evenly distribute these delicious mix-ins.
- Scoop and Shape Dough: Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough and roll each portion into a ball for uniform-sized cookies.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the cookie balls evenly spaced on the prepared cookie sheets about 1-2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center no longer appears wet, indicating the perfect chewy-done texture.
- Cool Before Serving: Remove the baked cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for at least 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely or serving warm.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, bake closer to 8 minutes; for more crisp edges, bake up to 11 minutes.
- Be sure to soften the butter properly to achieve smooth mixing and dough consistency.
- Using parchment paper helps prevent cookie sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Allow cooling on the baking sheet first to help cookies set and prevent breaking during transfer to the rack.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
