If you’re ready to embark on a delicious baking adventure, this Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Imagine biting into a soft, buttery cookie where sweet dried cherries, crunchy toasted almonds, and rich chocolate chips come together in heavenly harmony. These cookies are a perfect treat for any occasion, whether you’re sharing with friends or indulging in a little self-care moment. The blend of flavors and textures truly makes this recipe stand out, offering a delightful twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie that you will keep craving again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients for this Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe are straightforward and easy to find, but each one plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the creamy butter to the tart cherries and nutty almonds, each item contributes to that perfect cookie experience.
- Unsalted butter, 1 cup (softened): Provides the rich, creamy base that keeps the cookies tender and flavorful.
- Brown sugar, 3/4 cup: Adds moisture and a slight caramel depth to the sweetness.
- Granulated sugar, 1/2 cup: Helps crisp up the edges while balancing the sweetness.
- Large eggs, 2: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- Vanilla extract, 1 tsp: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, aromatic notes.
- Almond extract, 1/2 tsp: Brings out the nutty essence that complements the almonds perfectly.
- All-purpose flour, 2 1/4 cups: The backbone of the cookies, giving structure without weighing them down.
- Baking soda, 1/2 tsp: Ensures just the right rise and tenderness.
- Salt, 1/2 tsp: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall taste.
- Dried cherries, 3/4 cup: Adds bursts of juicy, tart flavor that contrast beautifully with the sweet chocolate.
- Chopped almonds, 3/4 cup (toasted if desired): Delivers crunch and a toasty, nutty punch.
- Semisweet or dark chocolate chips, 1 1/2 cups: Provides melty, indulgent pockets of chocolate in every bite.
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) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making clean-up a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process is essential—it incorporates air into the dough, giving your cookies a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts. The almond extract is what makes this Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe uniquely delicious, adding a subtle nutty aroma that compliments both the cherries and almonds beautifully.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this blend to the wet mixture, stirring until everything is just combined. You want to avoid overmixing here to keep your cookies soft and tender.
Step 5: Fold in the Goodies
Gently fold in the dried cherries, chopped almonds, and chocolate chips. Be sure they are evenly distributed so every cookie has the perfect balance of sweet, tart, nutty, and chocolaty goodness.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are just set. After removing from the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
How to Serve Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle your cookies with a pinch of flaky sea salt just after baking to highlight the rich chocolate and nuts even more. Or add a light dusting of powdered sugar for a sweet, elegant touch that makes these cookies feel extra special when serving guests.
Side Dishes
Pair your Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies with a cold glass of milk or a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea. The creaminess of the milk, or the bitter notes of coffee or tea, balances the sweetness perfectly, making each bite even more satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, sandwich two cookies together with a dollop of vanilla or almond-flavored buttercream or cream cheese frosting. Alternatively, serve the cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert that will wow everyone at your table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your baked Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days. Storing them this way also helps the flavors meld even more.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, the dough freezes beautifully. Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. You can also freeze baked cookies; just layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Reheating
To enjoy a warm cookie any time, pop a frozen or refrigerated cookie into the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or heat it in a preheated oven at 300°F for around 5 minutes. The warmth will bring back that fresh-baked, melty chocolate chip magic.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh cherries for the dried ones in this recipe?
Fresh cherries have more moisture, which could affect the cookie texture and baking time, so dried cherries are recommended for consistent results in this particular recipe.
Do I have to toast the almonds?
Toasting the almonds is optional but highly recommended. It enhances their flavor and adds a wonderful crunch, elevating the overall cookie experience.
Can I use white chocolate chips instead of semisweet?
Absolutely! White chocolate chips provide a sweeter, creamier contrast to the tart cherries and nutty almonds, giving the cookies a delightful twist.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Not as-is, since they use all-purpose flour. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends suitable for baking to make a gluten-free version.
How long do these cookies last once baked?
Stored properly in an airtight container, they remain fresh for up to 5 days, keeping their soft, chewy texture and delicious flavors intact.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly heartwarming about baking your own Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe from scratch, especially when that recipe hits every craving for sweet, tart, nutty, and chocolaty flavors all at once. Whether you’re baking for yourself, family, or friends, these cookies are bound to bring smiles and requests for seconds. Give this recipe a try—you might just discover a new cookie obsession that’s as comforting as it is delicious.
Print
Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies, a perfect blend of sweet dried cherries, crunchy toasted almonds, and rich chocolate chips baked to golden perfection. These classic American-style cookies offer a soft center with slightly crisp edges, ideal for festive occasions or everyday treats.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup dried cherries
- 3/4 cup chopped almonds (toasted if desired)
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate fully. Then, add the vanilla extract and almond extract, mixing until combined for enhanced flavor depth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the flour.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in batches, mixing until the dough forms and no flour streaks remain but avoiding overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the dried cherries, chopped almonds, and chocolate chips, ensuring they are well distributed without breaking them up.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheets: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to firm up.
Notes
- Use dark chocolate chips for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor, or substitute white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier twist.
- For added crunch, toast the chopped almonds before folding them into the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Cookies can be frozen in a sealed container or freezer bag for longer storage; thaw before serving.
