Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies are the ultimate fusion of rich chocolate and juicy maraschino cherries, crowned with a classic chocolate kiss on top. Every bite is a delightful blend of tender crumb, sweet-tart cherry, and velvety chocolate that melts in your mouth. These cookies not only taste irresistibly decadent but also look gorgeously festive, making them a go-to treat for holidays, special occasions, or simply when you crave a little extra chocolate-cherry magic in your day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these cookies lies in their simple yet essential ingredients, each playing a starring role in building flavor, creating a soft, chewy texture, or adding visual flair. Gather these pantry staples and a few special touches to ensure your Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies turn out absolutely perfect every time.
- Unsalted butter: Provides a rich base and keeps the cookies luxuriously tender—make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create those irresistible crisp edges.
- Packed brown sugar: Contributes moisture and a touch of caramel depth to balance the chocolate.
- Large eggs: Binds the dough together and adds extra richness for a soft bite.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and enhances the cherry and cocoa notes.
- All-purpose flour: Structure is key! Flour gives the cookies their signature shape and heft.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Makes the dough decadently chocolatey and adds deep cocoa richness.
- Baking soda: Ensures a gentle rise and wonderfully chewy texture.
- Salt: A pinch brings all the flavors together and brightens the chocolate.
- Maraschino cherries: Finely chopped and well-drained, they bring bursts of color, flavor, and festive flair.
- Chocolate kisses: The signature Blossom touch—place them on top for a melty, iconic finish.
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple prep guarantees easy cleanup and prevents sticking, so each batch of Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies pops off the tray without a hitch.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is all about incorporating air, so your cookies bake up beautifully soft—with that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully mixed in before adding the next. Swirl in the vanilla extract for that cozy, aromatic touch. Your dough will start to smell heavenly at this point!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed and gives every cookie the same perfect texture and rich chocolate flavor.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your butter and sugar mixture, stirring just until everything comes together. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as you see the last streak of flour disappear for the softest Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies.
Step 6: Fold in Cherries
Gently fold in the finely chopped, well-drained maraschino cherries. Their bright bursts of flavor and color will dot your dough, adding that signature cherry zing that makes these cookies unforgettable.
Step 7: Scoop and Roll
Scoop the dough by generous tablespoonfuls and roll into balls with your hands. Place each cookie dough ball on your prepared baking sheets, making sure there’s about 2 inches of space between each—these beauties like a little room to spread!
Step 8: Bake and Add the Kiss
Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look a touch soft. As soon as they come out of the oven, gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. The warmth of the dough will soften the kiss just enough for that iconic blossom look.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for five minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Try to resist snatching one too soon—the chocolate kiss on top will be perfectly melty if you time it just right!
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies
Garnishes
For an extra sprinkle of charm, dust your Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies with a little sanding sugar before baking, or garnish with a few additional chopped cherries alongside. Not only does it add a festive sparkle, but it also enhances the cookie’s overall presentation.
Side Dishes
These cookies are perfect alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee, a frothy latte, or a tall glass of cold milk. For a dessert platter, pair them with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream—each bite brings out the cherry and chocolate notes even more.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies in a gift box lined with parchment, tuck them into a pretty jar, or stack them high on a platter and tie with a bright ribbon. For holidays or parties, mix them with other cookies for a dazzling assortment—these blossoms always steal the spotlight!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They’ll stay soft and delicious, and the cherry flavor continues to deepen, making each day-old bite as satisfying as the day they were baked.
Freezing
You can freeze Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies after baking by placing them in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep well for up to three months—just let them thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
If you’d like to recreate that just-baked magic, pop a cookie or two in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds. The chocolate kiss softens, and the cherry aroma fills the air, just like fresh from the oven!
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
While fresh cherries have beautiful flavor, the extra moisture can affect the dough. Maraschino cherries are preferred here for their sweetness, color, and ideal texture, but you can experiment—just be sure to dry them thoroughly and chop finely.
Why do my cookies spread too much when baking?
If your cookies are spreading more than you’d like, it could be due to extra moisture from the cherries or overly soft butter. Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking, and always pat your cherries super dry.
What can I do if the dough is too sticky to roll?
Sticky dough is common with high-moisture mix-ins like cherries. If this happens, simply chill the cookie dough in the fridge for 20–30 minutes—the dough will firm up and be much easier to roll into neat balls.
Can Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies be made gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. Just keep an eye on the cookie texture, as some gluten-free mixes may require slight adjustments.
Will the chocolate kisses hold their shape as the cookies cool?
Yes, but make sure to let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them. The kisses will soften from the heat of the cookie but will keep their iconic shape once cooled completely.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something about whipping up a batch of Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies that brings joy to any kitchen. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply treating yourself, these cookies never fail to impress. Gather your ingredients, share with loved ones, and let these little bites of chocolate-cherry bliss brighten your day!
Print
Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of chocolate and cherries with these Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies. A perfect treat for holidays or any day!
Ingredients
Blossom Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries (well-drained and patted dry)
- 48 chocolate kisses (unwrapped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined.
- Include cherries: Fold in the chopped maraschino cherries.
- Form cookies: Scoop the dough by tablespoonfuls, roll into balls, and place on baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are set. Press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie immediately after removing from the oven.
- Cool and serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ensure cherries are well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
- If dough is sticky, chill for 20–30 minutes before rolling.
- For a festive touch, sprinkle with sanding sugar before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
