Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Cookies are a delicious twist on the classic Black Forest cake, blending rich chocolate with juicy cherries. These cookies are perfect for anyone who loves that combination of chocolate and cherry flavors! Here’s a recipe to make them:

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dried cherries (or maraschino cherries, drained and chopped)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 tbsp cherry juice (if using dried cherries, optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Add the dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in the mix-ins: Gently fold in the chocolate chips, dried cherries (or maraschino cherries), and chopped nuts (if using). If you’re using dried cherries, you can add a tablespoon of cherry juice to bring out a more intense cherry flavor.
7. Shape the dough: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. They’ll firm up as they cool.
9. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Optional Finish:

For an extra special touch, drizzle some melted chocolate over the cooled cookies and garnish with a few extra chopped cherries or a dusting of powdered sugar.

These Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Cookies combine the rich, indulgent flavor of chocolate with the tart sweetness of cherries, making them a perfect holiday treat or anytime you’re craving something decadent!

Would you be baking these for a special occasion, or are you just in the mood for something sweet?