Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies – The Best Festive Pink Cookie for Any Occasion

There’s something undeniably magical about biting into a soft, chewy cookie packed with rich chocolate chips and vibrant maraschino cherries. These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just a twist on a classic  they’re the centerpiece of every cookie tray, perfect for holidays, birthdays, bake sales, or just a cozy weekend treat.

Whether you’re planning a festive spread for Christmas, crafting sweet pink delights for Valentine’s Day, or baking a fun treat with the kids, this recipe brings color, flavor, and indulgence to the table. The best part? It’s endlessly customizable  with options for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan versions that don’t skimp on flavor or texture.

Want to make your cookies chewier? Discover great ideas like these Fudgy Chewy Brookies for inspiration and expert tips.

Let’s explore what makes this cookie recipe not only eye-catching but also incredibly satisfying.

Why Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Are the Ultimate Holiday Favorite

The Charm of Maraschino Cherries in Baking

Maraschino cherries bring more than just color. Their bold sweetness, subtle almond notes, and juicy texture make them a delightful contrast to rich chocolate. Unlike tart fresh cherries, maraschinos provide a smooth, candy-like burst in every bite  ideal for cookies that aim to impress with both flavor and appearance.

Plus, their naturally pink hue adds visual appeal  whether you’re making a romantic batch for Valentine’s or adding a pop of color to your Christmas dessert table.

What Makes These Cookies Unique vs. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic chocolate chip cookies are timeless, but let’s face it  sometimes you want something extra. Enter: maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies. These cookies introduce a sweet twist with chopped cherries, and their slight chewiness is elevated with optional add-ins like almond extract or white chocolate chips.

Where classic cookies lean on vanilla and brown sugar, this cherry version offers contrast and complexity  a soft base with chewy bites and bursts of sweet cherry.

Don’t miss our fruity and creamy Cherry Cheesecake Swirl Cookies for another cherry-infused twist!

Seasonal Appeal: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Birthdays & Bake Sales

Few cookies are as adaptable across holidays as these. With a touch of red food coloring or festive sprinkles, you can easily tailor the recipe:

Looking for inspiration? Try our Buckeye Graham Crackers  a great no-bake option to pair with these cherry cookies.

These cookies are more than just “pretty.” They’re standouts on any dessert table, crowd-pleasers for all ages, and conversation starters during any gathering.

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Key Ingredients and the Role They Play in Texture & Flavor

Breakdown of Base Dough Components (Butter, Sugar, Flour, etc.)

A perfect cookie starts with a well-balanced dough. Let’s look at the essentials behind the maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookie structure:

• Butter: Use unsalted, softened butter to control salt levels and ensure smooth creaming. Butter adds richness and helps develop those delicious golden-brown edges.

• Granulated Sugar + Brown Sugar: The combo provides the right balance between crispy edges (from granulated sugar) and soft, chewy centers (thanks to the molasses in brown sugar).

• Eggs: Two large, room-temperature eggs act as the binding agents and add moisture.

• Flour: All-purpose flour offers just the right protein content to support structure without making cookies dense. For gluten-free, you can substitute with 1:1 gluten-free blends.

• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leavening agents help the cookies rise and maintain a soft, fluffy center.

• Salt: A touch of salt enhances sweetness and balances the cherry-chocolate richness.

Want deep caramel flavor and perfectly soft cookies? Learn more about it in our Maple Brown Sugar Cookies article.

The Role of Maraschino Cherries – Moisture, Sweetness, and Color

Maraschino cherries are more than decoration. They:

• Add moisture that makes the cookies tender.

• Offer a unique sweetness that pairs perfectly with chocolate.

• Infuse the dough with a soft pink hue, especially when chopped finely.

• Create visual appeal, those little red jewels pop against the golden-brown cookie base.

Important Tip: Always drain and pat dry your cherries thoroughly. Too much moisture can cause your cookies to spread excessively. (More on that in Part 3!)

Discover great ideas like these juicy Magic Cookie Bars where moisture balance is key to success.

Chocolate Chip Variations: Semi-Sweet, Dark, White

The beauty of this cookie recipe is its versatility. You can use:

• Semi-sweet chips (classic combo)

• Dark chocolate chunks for bold contrast

• White chocolate chips to enhance the sweet cherry flavor

• Mini chips for more evenly distributed chocolate in every bite

Want to explore high-end chocolate techniques? Check out Serious Eats’ guide on tempering chocolate if you plan to drizzle or coat cookies.

Optional Add-ins: Almond Extract, Cinnamon, Food Coloring, Nuts

Want to take it up a notch? These optional mix-ins can elevate your cherry chocolate chip cookies:

Want more no-bake flavor bombs? Don’t miss our Vanilla Pecan Pralines – a southern candy classic with rich nutty flavor.

Adding a few creative mix-ins can help personalize your batch for any event or preference.

The Perfect Dough – How to Mix and Balance Moisture

Step-by-Step Dough Preparation Instructions

To get cookies that are chewy on the inside and slightly crisp on the edges, follow these steps carefully:

1. Cream the butter and sugars
   Start by creaming softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together for 2–3 minutes. This aerates the dough and gives cookies lift and a lighter texture.

2. Add the eggs and flavoring
   Beat in two large eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract and almond extract (if using). The almond enhances the cherry flavor in a subtle, bakery-style way.

3. Mix the dry ingredients separately
   In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Slowly incorporate this into the wet mix using a mixer on low or by hand to avoid overmixing.

4. Fold in the mix-ins
   Gently stir in chopped, dried maraschino cherries and your choice of chocolate chips. Add any optional mix-ins (white chocolate, nuts, red coloring) here.

Remember: Overworking the dough = tough cookies. Mix until just combined.

Why Maraschino Cherries Must Be Dried and Floured

This is one of the most common cookie mistakes. Maraschino cherries are stored in syrup, and even after draining, they retain moisture.

Here’s the fix:

• Drain cherries well

• Pat them dry with paper towels

• Toss them in 1 tablespoon of flour before folding into the dough

Why flour them? It creates a light barrier that:

• Prevents the fruit from sinking in the cookie

• Minimizes the release of excess moisture during baking

• Reduces dough spreading

This small trick makes a big difference. It’s especially useful if you’re baking for presentation  say, a Valentine’s party or holiday cookie swap.

Looking for more dough tricks? Learn more about getting perfectly shaped cookies in our Maple Brown Sugar Cookies article.

How to Incorporate Mix-ins Evenly

No one likes a cookie with five chips and zero cherries. The key to even distribution is:

• Folding ingredients in with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, not a mixer

• Splitting dough into halves before mixing in cherries/chocolate if needed

• Spacing larger cherry pieces evenly by hand if they clump together

If you’re adding red food coloring, do so before folding in cherries to avoid streaky color and maintain a uniform pink hue.

Common Dough Mistakes That Lead to Flat or Crumbly Cookies

Here’s what not to do when making this cookie dough:

Want to master soft chewy textures? Check out our Fudgy Chewy Brookies  loaded with insights for ultimate chew.

Baking Techniques That Deliver Soft, Thick Cookies

Should You Chill the Dough? Pros and Cons

Chilling the dough isn’t required, but it’s highly recommended. It’s one of the top secrets to getting thick, bakery-style cookies that hold their shape and don’t overspread.

Why chill your cookie dough:

• Allows the butter to solidify, preventing excessive spread

• Helps flavors develop, especially with almond/cherry

• Gives the flour time to absorb moisture for better texture

Tip: If short on time, scoop the dough into balls and chill those; they firm up faster than chilling the whole bowl.

Baking Time and Temperature Optimization

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), no shortcuts here. This is the sweet spot for:

• Even baking

• Preventing burnt bottoms

• Preserving the vibrant pink and gooey centers

Bake Time:

• Standard 2-tablespoon scoops = 10–12 minutes

• Look for set edges and slightly soft, underbaked centers, they’ll finish cooking as they cool

Do NOT wait for a golden top  pink cookies tend to look pale, and overbaking kills the chewy texture.

Pan Prep: Parchment vs. Silicone Mats

Which one should you use?

Best pick: Use parchment paper for crisp-bottomed cookies with better heat distribution.

Tip: Always use light-colored metal pans  dark pans brown cookies too fast and mute the pink hue.

Signs of Doneness for Perfect Chewy Centers

Wondering if your cookies are done? These cookies won’t always “look” done when they’re ready  here’s what to check:

You’re done baking when:

• The edges are just golden and look set

• The center still looks slightly glossy or underdone

• The tops are no longer wet or gooey but still soft

Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack  that’s when the centers firm up while staying chewy.

Want to experiment with other baking surfaces? Discover how alternative textures turn out in our Magic Cookie Bars  another great treat for the holidays

How to Keep the Pink Color Bright and Beautiful

Natural Pink from Cherries vs. Food Coloring Options

Maraschino cherries naturally tint the dough a delicate pink when chopped and mixed in, but the color can sometimes bake out. To keep your cookies vibrant:

• Natural Pink: Use finely chopped cherries and mix their juice lightly into the dough.

• Enhanced Color: Add a drop or two of red gel food coloring. Gel is better than liquid because it provides bold color without adding moisture.

• Balanced Look: If using food coloring, mix it in before folding cherries and chocolate chips for an even hue.

Pro Tip: Avoid overmixing once coloring is added, or your dough may streak instead of staying a solid pink.

How to Prevent Browning That Dulls the Color

The trick to keeping cookies pink is to minimize browning. Here’s how:

• Use light-colored baking sheets instead of dark ones, which absorb more heat.

• Bake at 350°F  higher temps brown edges too fast.

• Pull them out early: when edges are set but centers look slightly soft (10–11 minutes).

• Cool on the tray first so residual heat finishes baking without overbrowning.

Looking for another vibrant dessert? Don’t miss our colorful Cherry Cheesecake Swirl Cookies  a gorgeous blend of cream cheese and cherry hues.

Visual Appeal Tips: Shaping, Topping with Extra Cherries or Chips

For picture-perfect cookies worthy of Instagram or Pinterest:

• Top with extras before baking: Press a few cherry pieces and chocolate chips onto the tops of dough balls. They’ll stay visible after baking.

• Shape with a cookie cutter: As soon as cookies come out of the oven, use a round cutter to “scoot” them into perfect circles.

• Drizzle melted chocolate on top once cooled for bakery-style presentation.

Want to explore chocolate presentation tricks? Check out The Food Lab’s guide to tempering chocolate  perfect for elegant drizzles.

Photography-Friendly Presentation Ideas for Social Media

Food photography plays a big role in recipe shares. Here’s how to make your pink cookies pop online:

• Use a white or marble background to highlight the pink hue.

• Stack cookies to show gooey insides and cherry bits.

• Add props like red napkins for Valentine’s or holly sprigs for Christmas.

• Take close-ups to highlight melty chocolate chips against the pink dough.

Pro Tip: A warm cookie broken in half with melted chocolate dripping out is social-media gold.

Want more dessert photography-worthy ideas? Try our Vanilla Pecan Pralines  a glossy, candy-like finish perfect for your feed.

Dietary-Friendly Variations (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

One of the best things about Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies is how adaptable they are. With a few simple swaps, you can make them vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free without losing their chewy texture or pink charm.

How to Make Them Vegan

• Replace butter with a plant-based alternative (like vegan margarine or coconut oil).

• Swap eggs for flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg).

• Use vegan chocolate chips such as Enjoy Life or Hu brands.

Gluten-Free Options

• Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum.

• Chill the dough a bit longer, as gluten-free dough tends to spread faster.

Dairy-Free Alternatives

• Substitute butter with dairy-free margarine or vegan butter sticks.

• Pick dairy-free chocolate chips (many dark chocolates naturally qualify).

These adjustments keep the cookies soft and chewy, with the same sweet cherry flavor that makes them irresistible. They’re proof that everyone can enjoy this festive cookie, regardless of dietary needs.

Storage, Shelf Life & Freezing Chart

One reason bakers love Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies is that they stay soft for days and freeze beautifully. Whether you’re prepping ahead for a holiday or saving leftovers, here’s exactly how to keep them fresh.

Best Way to Store Cookies at Room Temperature

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To prevent them from sticking together, place parchment paper between layers. If you like softer cookies, add a slice of bread to the container  the cookies will absorb the moisture and stay tender.

Freezing Instructions: Dough Balls vs. Baked Cookies

• Freezing Dough Balls: Scoop dough into balls, freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen with +2 minutes bake time.

• Freezing Baked Cookies: Let cookies cool completely, layer with parchment in a freezer container, and store for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp or warm in the oven for 3–5 minutes.

How to Thaw and Re-Bake for Fresh Taste

For bakery-style freshness:

• Place frozen baked cookies on a tray, warm at 300°F for 5 minutes.

• Or bake dough balls directly from frozen for a just-baked aroma and gooey center.

[TABLE] Storage & Freezing Chart

Don’t miss our storage tricks for chewy bakes in Fudgy Chewy Brookies  perfect for comparing shelf life and freezer results.

Festive & Flavorful Variations to Try

Beyond the classic recipe, these cookies can be dressed up for every holiday or craving. Here are a few exciting ways to customize:

Valentine’s Version 

Add white chocolate chips and a touch of extra red food coloring for a deeper pink cookie. Drizzle with melted white chocolate for a romantic finish.

Christmas Twist 

Mix in green sprinkles and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top. The pink-and-green combo screams holiday cheer.

Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies 

Add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the dough and swap some chips for white chocolate chunks. The dark cookie base makes cherries pop visually.

Nutty Cherry Chip Cookies 

Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch. The nutty bite pairs beautifully with the sweetness of maraschino cherries.

From bake sales to holiday trays, these variations guarantee that your maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies always stand out.

FAQs About Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

How do I prevent cookies from spreading due to moist maraschino cherries?

The secret is to drain and pat cherries dry with paper towels, then toss them in a spoonful of flour before folding into the dough. This absorbs extra moisture, keeps cherries evenly distributed, and prevents cookies from flattening too much.

Can I substitute fresh cherries for maraschino cherries?

Yes, but with caution. Fresh cherries contain more natural juice and can cause spreading or sogginess. If you use fresh cherries, pit and chop them small, pat them dry thoroughly, and reduce other liquid slightly in the dough. Keep in mind that fresh cherries won’t deliver the same candy-like sweetness or pink color as maraschinos.

How do I keep the vibrant pink color in the cookies?

Bake at 350°F on light-colored pans to avoid browning, and pull cookies out when edges are just set. For extra pinkness, stir in red gel food coloring (not liquid) before folding in cherries and chocolate.

Can these cookies be made gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan?

Absolutely! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum, plant-based butter, and dairy-free chocolate chips. For vegan cookies, replace eggs with flax eggs. These swaps still yield chewy, colorful cookies that everyone can enjoy.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Not always, but it’s recommended. Chilling the dough for at least an hour helps the cookies hold their shape and enhances flavor. If you’re short on time, chilling dough balls for 20–30 minutes before baking can also do the trick.

How should leftovers be stored or frozen?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months, or freeze dough balls and bake them directly from frozen with an extra 2 minutes added to the bake time.

Conclusion: Why These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies Deserve a Spot on Every Dessert Table

From their soft, chewy centers to their festive pink hue, Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just a holiday bake they’re a celebration cookie. Whether you’re baking for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or just a cozy weekend at home, these cookies are guaranteed to turn heads and satisfy sweet cravings.

With easy variations, dietary-friendly swaps, and smart storage tips, this recipe delivers both flavor and flexibility. They’re not only delicious straight out of the oven but also freezer-friendly for those moments when you need a quick dessert.

Looking for more inspiration? Try our Magic Cookie Bars or explore fruity bakes like Cherry Cheesecake Swirl Cookies. Your dessert table will never look better.

These cookies aren’t just treats, they’re showstoppers. Now it’s your turn to bake a batch and see why they’re destined to be a family favorite.