If you’re looking for a cookie that hits all the right notes—sweet, nutty, fruity, with just the perfect hint of chocolate—you have to try this Cherry Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together luscious dried cherries, crunchy almonds, and generous chunks of semi-sweet chocolate in a tender, buttery cookie base that’s insanely satisfying. Every bite offers a delightful texture and flavor combination that feels both cozy and indulgent, making them an absolute favorite whether you’re baking for yourself, friends, or family gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cherry Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe lies in its simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each one plays an important role in delivering the cookie’s rich flavor, tender texture, and irresistible aroma.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of your cookies, helping to create that perfect chewy-yet-soft texture.
- Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent, making sure your cookies spread out nicely without becoming too dense.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Provides rich creaminess and helps the cookies spread just right during baking.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps the cookies crisp up around the edges.
- Egg: Binds everything together while adding moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warm, aromatic depth to the cookie dough.
- Almond extract: Gives a lovely nutty note that complements the almonds perfectly.
- Dried cherries: Add chewy bursts of tart sweetness in every bite.
- Sliced almonds: Introduce a satisfying crunch and an earthy flavor.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melt into gooey pockets of chocolatey goodness.
How to Make Cherry Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats—this helps your cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution so every cookie bakes up perfectly balanced in flavor and texture.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for creating a tender cookie with a delicate crumb.
Step 4: Add the Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the mixture is smooth and combined. The almond extract is your secret weapon for that signature cherry-almond harmony.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can result in tougher cookies, so handle this step gently.
Step 6: Fold in the Cherries, Almonds, and Chocolate
Carefully fold in the chopped dried cherries, sliced almonds, and chocolate chips with a spatula. This ensures that each bite will have a perfect balance of chewy fruit, crunchy nuts, and melty chocolate.
Step 7: Shape the Cookies
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to form balls of dough, placing them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Giving them enough space helps them spread evenly without sticking together.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake in your preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look soft. This is when the cookies are at their chewiest and most delicious.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serving warm is wonderful, but they’re just as amazing cooled down or even the next day.
How to Serve Cherry Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra sliced almonds or a few dried cherry pieces on top right after baking to make your cookies look as tempting as they taste. A quick dusting of powdered sugar can add a festive touch, too.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. For a fun dessert platter, include fresh berries or whipped cream alongside to complement the fruit and nut flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies in pretty jars or wrapping them up in cellophane tied with ribbons for gifts. You can also sandwich them with a scoop of vanilla or almond-flavored ice cream for a decadent treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Cherry Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to one week, perfect for enjoying bit by bit.
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored for up to 3 months without losing any of their charm.
Reheating
To bring your frozen cookies back to life, simply let them thaw at room temperature or warm them gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This restores that fresh-baked softness and melty chocolate goodness.
FAQs
Can I substitute dried cherries with fresh cherries?
Fresh cherries have a much higher water content, which can affect the texture and baking time of the cookies. Dried cherries work best for this recipe, providing chewy bursts without adding extra moisture.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
You can omit the almond extract if needed, but it’s a small addition that makes a big difference by amplifying the nutty flavor. A tiny bit of vanilla extract on its own will still produce delicious cookies.
Can I use different nuts instead of almonds?
Absolutely! Walnuts or pecans would be tasty alternatives that add their own signature crunch and flavor. Just make sure to chop them roughly to keep the right texture.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. For a gluten-free version, try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary slightly.
How do I prevent the chocolate from melting too much?
Using semi-sweet chocolate chips helps prevent excessive melting while still giving that classic gooey bite. Also, avoid overbaking the cookies to retain that perfect soft center.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you make this Cherry Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe, it will become a go-to treat in your baking repertoire. The delightful mix of flavors and textures is such a joy to share—and honestly, there’s nothing quite like the warm, comforting feeling of biting into a homemade cookie that’s packed with love and the perfect balance of sweet and nutty. So grab your ingredients, gather your loved ones, and bake up a batch—you’re going to adore every bite!
Print
Cherry Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these chewy and flavorful cookies packed with dried cherries, sliced almonds, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfectly balanced with a hint of almond extract, these homemade treats are baked to golden perfection, making them an ideal snack or dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup dried cherries, chopped
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside as you’ll gradually add it to the wet ingredients.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg, followed by the vanilla and almond extracts, mixing thoroughly to achieve a smooth and uniform batter.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in the Add-ins: Carefully fold in the chopped dried cherries, sliced almonds, and semi-sweet chocolate chips using a spatula, ensuring an even distribution without overworking the dough.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, form dough balls and place them approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn a golden brown while the centers remain soft. This will give you a chewy texture inside.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
- Enjoy: Serve these cookies warm or store them in an airtight container for up to one week. They also freeze well for longer storage.
Notes
- You can substitute dried cherries with dried cranberries or raisins if desired.
- For a nuttier flavor, toast the sliced almonds before folding them into the dough.
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming.
- If you prefer smaller cookies, adjust baking time accordingly to prevent over-baking.
- These cookies freeze beautifully; thaw them at room temperature before serving.
