If you’re craving a cookie that brings together the rich delights of coffee, chocolate, and the sweet tartness of cherries, then you are in for a treat with this Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe. Each bite bursts with the perfect balance of chewy texture, gooey mocha chips, and juicy dried cherries, making these cookies impossible to resist. Whether it’s a cozy afternoon snack or a festive dessert, these cookies will become your go-to favorite in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple but essential ingredients is the first step to bringing this wonderful recipe to life. Each item plays a special role in delivering the ideal taste, texture, and color that make these cookies so irresistible.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Provides a creamy base and contributes to the soft, tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and helps create a slight crisp edge on the cookies.
- Light brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Brings moisture and a hint of caramel flavor for chewiness.
- Large eggs (2, at room temperature): Acts as a binder to hold all ingredients together, adding richness.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, comforting aroma.
- All-purpose flour (2 3/4 cups): Serves as the structure for the cookies, creating the perfect balance between soft and firm.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Acts as a leavening agent to ensure the cookies rise slightly and become tender.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and elevates all flavors.
- Espresso powder (1/2 teaspoon): Offers a subtle coffee kick that intensifies the mocha chips and chocolate.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (3/4 cup): Adds bursts of classic chocolate flavor throughout.
- Mocha baking chips (3/4 cup): Infuses the cookies with a delightful coffee-chocolate taste.
- Dried cherries (3/4 cup, roughly chopped): Lend a chewy, tart contrast that pairs beautifully with the sweet chocolate.
How to Make Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Start by heating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This preparation is key for even baking and easy cookie removal later on.
Step 2: Cream Together the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step aerates the dough, contributing to tender cookies with a lovely crumb.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the vanilla extract for that rich, sweet depth we love in cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. Mixing these dry ingredients thoroughly ensures an even distribution and prevents any lumps.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet Mixture
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet butter mixture and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies soft and chewy.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips, Mocha Chips, and Cherries
Carefully fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips, mocha baking chips, and chopped dried cherries into the dough. These add rich flavor and delightful texture in every bite.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared sheets, keeping them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft for that perfect chew.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up without losing their tender texture.
How to Serve Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra wow, sprinkle some finely chopped dried cherries or dust a tiny pinch of cocoa powder on top of cooled cookies. This enhances the visual appeal and hints at the delicious flavors inside.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a steaming cup of coffee, complementing their mocha-infused goodness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden platter lined with parchment and add small bowls of extra mocha chips and dried cherries nearby. This makes for a charming and inviting dessert display, perfect for sharing with friends or family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for about 4 to 5 days, maintaining that perfect chewy texture.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a sealed freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months and retain their yummy flavors.
Reheating
Warm your cookies in a microwave for about 10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to revive their soft, melty chocolate center and cozy mocha notes.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?
Fresh cherries have too much moisture for this recipe and could affect the dough’s consistency. Dried cherries work best because they provide chewy texture without adding extra liquid.
What can I substitute for mocha baking chips?
If you can’t find mocha chips, mixing semi-sweet chocolate chips with a teaspoon of instant coffee granules stirred into the dough can mimic that lovely coffee-chocolate flavor.
How do I make these cookies more chewy?
Try slightly underbaking them by taking them out at 10 minutes instead of 12, and allow them to cool on the baking sheet—the residual heat finishes baking while keeping the centers soft and chewy.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the dough to avoid over-salting. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the salt level.
Is it okay to double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to mix your ingredients thoroughly and bake in batches to maintain even baking and consistent results.
Final Thoughts
This Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips Recipe is a guaranteed showstopper for any cookie lover, capturing the perfect harmony of chocolate, coffee, and fruit in each bite. I can’t wait for you to try these and see how quickly they become a staple in your baking repertoire. Happy baking!
Print
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips 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 Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips, a perfect blend of sweet dried cherries and rich chocolate flavors enhanced by a subtle coffee undertone. These bakery-style cookies offer a chewy texture with slightly soft centers, ideal for holiday treats or whenever you crave a comforting homemade dessert.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup mocha baking chips
- 3/4 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with granulated and light brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, which ensures a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to maintain a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor depth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder to evenly distribute leavening agents and coffee flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to prevent overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
- Fold in Chips and Cherries: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, mocha baking chips, and chopped dried cherries, ensuring an even distribution for every bite.
- Portion the Dough: Using a scoop or spoon, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets in 1 1/2 tablespoon portions, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set and centers feel slightly soft, indicating a chewy texture inside.
- Cool: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a stronger coffee flavor, increase the espresso powder to 1 teaspoon.
- Dried cranberries may be substituted for cherries for a different tartness.
- Slightly underbaking the cookies keeps them chewy with soft centers; do not overbake.
