If you love a cookie that bursts with flavor and texture, you are going to adore this Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Imagine biting into a soft, golden cookie studded with juicy dried cherries, crunchy sliced almonds, and gooey semi-sweet chocolate chips—all wrapped up in a buttery, tender dough. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tart, nutty, and chocolaty in every single bite, making it a delightful treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a party, a cozy night in, or just because, these cookies will quickly become your go-to favorite!

Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtful combination of ingredients. Each one plays an important role—from creating the perfect dough texture to adding bursts of flavor and satisfying crunch.

All-purpose flour: The foundation for structure, giving the cookies a tender chew.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly for that perfect soft edge.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough while also contributing to the cookie’s delightful golden color.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
Vanilla extract: Introduces warm, aromatic notes that elevate the whole cookie experience.
Almond extract: Gives a subtle but distinct nutty essence to pair beautifully with the dried cherries.
Dried cherries, chopped: Provide bursts of tangy sweetness and a chewy contrast.
Sliced almonds: Add crunch and an earthy flavor that balances the richness.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Bring gooey pockets of chocolate that everyone loves.

How to Make Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. This simple step makes cleanup a breeze!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these first ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and salt, creating the perfect base for your cookie dough.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes. This process adds air to the mixture, helping your cookies turn out light and tender with just the right amount of sweetness.

Step 4: Add Egg and Extracts

To your creamed butter and sugar, add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat everything together until fully combined. The almond extract is the star that gives this recipe its unique personality alongside the cherries and almonds.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mix into your wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough instead of tender and chewy.

Step 6: Fold in the Goodies

Now for the best part: gently folding in the chopped dried cherries, sliced almonds, and chocolate chips. This ensures every cookie gets a perfect balance of tart fruit, nutty crunch, and melty chocolate.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, form dough balls and place them about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. This spacing allows the cookies to spread just enough without merging into one another.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until you see golden brown edges with slightly soft centers. This timing keeps them tender and chewy while ensuring just the right amount of crispness around the edges.

Step 9: Cool Before Enjoying

Allow your Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about five minutes so they firm up slightly. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely or enjoy warm for gooey chocolate goodness.

Step 10: Store or Share

If you’re not eating all of these irresistible treats right away, store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week. These cookies also freeze beautifully for a future sweet surprise!

How to Serve Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

While these cookies are delightful on their own, try sprinkling a few extra sliced almonds or a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top for added texture and a subtle flavor boost. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a festive touch.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cozy cup of coffee, rich hot chocolate, or your favorite tea to create an instantly comforting treat. They also serve as a lovely accompaniment to a scoop of vanilla or almond-flavored ice cream.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or gifts, stack the cookies in pretty mason jars tied with a ribbon or place them on decorative plates lined with parchment paper. You can even drizzle melted chocolate or white chocolate on top for an elegant twist that will wow your friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to one week, making them a perfect treat to enjoy over several days.

Freezing

If you want to keep cookies for longer, freeze them in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Separate the cookies with parchment paper to prevent sticking. When it’s time to indulge, just thaw them at room temperature or warm them slightly.

Reheating

To bring back that freshly baked taste and texture, warm your cookies in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes or pop one in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This will revive the melted chocolate and soft centers beautifully.

FAQs

Can I substitute fresh cherries for dried cherries in this recipe?

Fresh cherries have a higher moisture content and might make the dough too wet, resulting in less crisp cookies. It’s best to stick to dried cherries or lightly pat fresh cherries dry and chop finely if you decide to experiment.

What can I use instead of almond extract?

If almond extract isn’t available, you can use a bit more vanilla extract or try a small amount of hazelnut or coconut extract for a different but complementary flavor.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

As written, the recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make them gluten-free, substitute with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking, and check other ingredients for any gluten additives.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

To make a vegan version, swap butter for a plant-based alternative and replace the egg with flax or chia “egg” (1 tablespoon ground seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons water). Make sure your chocolate chips are dairy-free as well.

How can I make my cookies chewier?

For extra chewy cookies, try using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar, or slightly underbake them so the centers stay soft. Adding a tablespoon of honey or molasses also helps retain moisture.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is more than just a cookie—it’s a cozy, delicious experience that brings a little joy to your day with its perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or friends, these cookies will surely become a beloved classic you’ll want to make again and again. Go ahead, treat yourself—you deserve it!