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Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Deeply chocolatey and studded with chewy tart cherries, these Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies are a decadent treat sure to please any chocolate lover!

Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies on white plate

Chewy Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Somehow raisins have become the default dried fruit for adding to cookies, which is a shame for those of us with an aversion to them. (Yes, I count myself among the ranks of raisin haters.) Personally, I much prefer the flavor of dried cherries—especially in these Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies.

Sour cherries add a sweet-tart complement to the deep, dark, rich chocolate cookie base, creating a cookie that can only be described as decadent. In fact, they’re so deep and dark that their color is almost black. That should get the attention of just about any dark chocolate lover.

This recipe comes from The Sweet Melissa Baking Book, which was also the inspiration for my Butterscotch Cashew Bar recipe. I had the chance to sample Sweet Melissa’s talents in person when her patisserie was located in Brooklyn. The patisserie has since moved to New Jersey, but even though I’m no longer local, I’m glad I can still bake up a batch of these Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies whenever the craving strikes.

Overhead view of ingredients for Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

Adding chocolate chips and cherries to bowl of chocolate cookie dough

Can I substitute dark chocolate chips for semisweet chocolate chips?

Yes, you can substitute dark chocolate chips for semisweet chocolate chips in this recipe, as well as most others. Semisweet chocolate chips actually are dark chocolate; the chocolate chips labeled as dark chocolate typically have a higher percentage of cocoa solids and less sugar when compared with semisweet, though.

Plate of 6 Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies

How to Make Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies

These cookies are quite easy to make, but you’ll need to factor in the chilling time when planning your baking. The dough needs to chill twice; once for a few hours, and then for an hour more.

Mix the dry ingredients. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

Mix the wet ingredients. Use an electric mixer to cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl, beating for about 3 minutes or until the mixture is fluffy. Beat in the egg, followed by the vanilla.

Finish the dough. Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add the flour mixture in three portions, mixing each until just incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips and cherries.

Chill. Place the mixing bowl in the refrigerator and chill the dough for a few hours, or until it’s firm. 

Logs of Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookie dough

Form the dough into logs. Turn out the dough onto a clean work surface and divide it in half. Roll each half into logs about 12 inches long and 1 & 1/4 inches in diameter. Chill for another hour. 

Prepare. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.

Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies on baking sheet, before baking

Cut the cookie dough. Cut the chilled dough into 1-inch-thick slices. Place the cookies 1 & 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Overhead view of Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies on baking sheet

Bake the cookies. Bake one pan at a time for about 15 minutes, or until the cookies look just baked.

Overhead view of Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies on wire rack

Cool. Set the pans on a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cookies from the pan directly to the wire rack to finish cooling. (Learn more: Why Every Baker Needs Wire Cooling Racks)

Variations to Try

The cherries aren’t that prevalent in this recipe; if you’d like more, then definitely add more. Or, if you’re not excited about them, leave them out all together or substitute another dried fruit like cranberries or chopped apricot. 

Stack of Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies on plate with bowl of cherries in background

Tips for Success

These Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies are fairy straightforward, but these tips will help you make sure they turn out perfect.

  • Don’t skip the chilling. It’s one of the most important steps to keeping cookies from spreading.
  • Turn the logs of dough as you cut them. This will help keep the bottom of the log from flattening. Simply rotate the log a quarter turn each time you make a cut. 
  • Don’t reuse the same baking sheet. Or, if you don’t have enough baking sheets to use a new one for each batch, make sure the baking sheet cools between batches. This will also help prevent spreading, as well as burnt bottoms.

How to Store

Store Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 5 days.

Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies on wire cooling rack

Can This Recipe Be Frozen?

You can freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw them at room temperature, or warm them up in the microwave.

Alternatively, the unbaked dough can be frozen for a month if wrapped well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be frozen in a log or you can freeze the dough after slicing it so you can bake just a cookie or two to satisfying a craving. Simply add a few additional minutes to the original baking time.

Stack of Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies on white plate

Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Yield about 24 cookies
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

These Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies are dark, chewy, and rich. A must for chocolate lovers!

Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies on two stacked white plates

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (64g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup (133g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (127g) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup (23g) dried sour cherries

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar about 3 minutes or until fluffy. Add the egg and mix well. Stir in the vanilla.
  3. Reduce mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in three portions, mixing each just until incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips and cherries. Refrigerate the dough for a few hours until firm.
  4. Place the dough on a clean work surface and divide in half. Roll out into logs about 12 inches long and 1 & 1/4 inches in diameter. Refrigerate for about an hour. (Dough can be frozen for a month if wrapped well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.)
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
  6. Cut the dough into 1-inch slices. Place the cookies 1 & 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  7. Bake (one pan at a time) for about 15 minutes, or until the cookies look just baked. Do not over-bake.
  8. Cool the cookies on the pans on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cookies from the pan directly to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Recipe adapted from The Sweet Melissa Baking Book.

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    39 Comments on “Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies”

  1. Wow look at the dark colour of these cookies..is stunning! I would love to taste them now!
    A perfect job indeed!
    Always a pleasure cominig here 😀
    Silvia

  2. Dark chocolate is my favorite!! I also like cherries. So this would be a treat! By the way, the cookies look yummy!

  3. Lucky guys, getting to go to NYC! The little bakery looks adorable and the cakes look absolutely sensational. What did you guys end up getting there?

  4. Yum! I might try these with and without the cherries. What’s the texture of the cookie like? Hard to tell since they are so deliciously dark. Chewy? Sandy? Crunchy?

  5. Thanks, Silvia! It’s always a pleasure to see your kind comments! 🙂

    Cindy, you should give them a try!

    Amanda, we got several little things at Sweet Melissa. A madeleine, a pistachio linzer cookie, and a peanut butter/chocolate little slice of sin. 😉

    Amy, these are very soft and chewy. Just like I like them. Let me know what you think if you try them without the cherries.

  6. Pure chocolate sin. That’s what these are! These cookies pack a punch of chocolate and are so rich and chewy. Thanks for sharing these. Jim took some of them to St. Louis with him, and I don’t think they made it to the state line! Even though I’m not a huge cherry fan, I thought they were wonderful. I guess the cherries add texture and not so much flavor…not sure. Either way you look at it, they were wonderful!

  7. Oh my gosh, this was the wrong time to look at these cookies! I’m so hungry and their dark chocolate color is definitely calling my name… (the dried, sour cherries sound divine.)

  8. I have been searching for a great recipe to use the cherries I received as a gift from Allen. I think I’ve found it! 🙂

  9. Gorgeous cookies! The dark chocolate is just calling to me!

  10. Those look so good! I really like the sound of these chocolate and cherry cookies!!

  11. OMG these look wonderful.
    They remind me of Elsylee’s cookies (www.elsylee.com) & those are amazing. I can’t wait to try these!!!!!!!!

  12. I am so jealous! I wish I could’ve been at the bakery with you! Those cookies look amazing too!

  13. Look at that chocolate color! What brand of chocolate do you use?

  14. Nan, I’m glad Jim had some to take on his trip. Road trips just beg for cookies!

    Thanks, Sandie!

    Patricia, I hope you like them!

    Thanks, Joy!

    Kevin, it’s a great combination.

    Chloe, I’ll have to check those out. Thanks!

    My Sweet & Saucy, Sweet Melissa is definitely an enviable experience. 😉

    Warda, I used Schokinag cocoa powder and Guittard chocolate chips.

  15. The combination of chocolate and cherry just makes me weak all over.
    If I ever wanted to be locked over night anywhere it would be Sweet Melissa’s Bakery – can you just imagine the possibilities?

  16. I would LOVE to try these! And that bakery looks delicious!

  17. giz, I think the most likely possibility is that I would be on sugar overload!

    Hillary, you should try them!

  18. just to let you know, your cookies always have my full attention. This one is no exception. I have just stocked up on dried cherries (not the sour type though), so this one will definitely be made soon!

  19. These sound wonderful. I love sour cherries as well, but only wish peanut butter could work its way into these chocolate wonders somehow…

  20. Cherries and chocolate are one of life’s great teams. They were made to be paired together, don’t you think? These cookies look so choclolatey and good, and cherries just send them over the edge!

  21. Darn you make some good looking stuff!

  22. Thanks, Mandy! I hope you like the cookies.

    Nick, I do love peanut butter, although I’m not sure how that would work with sour cherries. 😉

    Elle, the chocolate/cherry combination is definitely delicious!

    Thanks, Katrina!

  23. I buy deliciously tangy Montgomery dried cherries at Trader Joe’s. And I have some right now, so what excuse do I have not to make these cookies?

  24. Susan, sounds like you need to get baking!

  25. Amazing bakery. OMG would i love to be there.

    Chloe- I have had those cookies & they are absolutely wonderful & so pretty and unique!

  26. Patricia, it’s a glorious bakery!

  27. Great combo, cherries and chocolate make the perfect couple :). I actually recently discovered razzcherries…heard of ’em? They sell them at a fine foods grocery store here in TX called Central Market. They’re a tad bit sweeter than the tart cherries.

  28. Sophie, I haven’t heard of razzcherries. I will be on the lookout for them!

  29. Oh, the cookies look fabulous! All your creations are so beautiful.
    You call yourself an amateur baker? I don’t think so! 😀

  30. TBC, thank you! You’re very sweet.

  31. OMG!!! That first photo – gasp! I want to eat your blog! 😀

  32. LOL, Maninas! Thanks.

  33. Yummo….. your website is soooo naughty!

  34. littlem, but it’s so much fun! 😉

  35. Can I use frozen cherries in this recipe??😁😁

  36. Big fan! Dough was drier than I expected, but didn’t effect anything. I made 2 tweaks and offer 2 suggestions.

    Tweaks: I used white chips based on kid request and they were fantastic, and chopped the cherries so they’d distribute well.. Suggestions: (1) I wish I’d made the cookies half the size, and (2) the cherry flavor is super subtle, I wish I’d added 50% more.

  37. Hi Jennifer,

    I learned from my daughter’s professional baker friend Mary Ann to always chill this type of cookie dough overnight. She makes an inch high rectangular block, wraps it in plastic wrap and chills it overnight. The next day, while the oven is preheating, she unwraps the cookie block and portions out the cookie dough with a scoop. I make all my drop cookies that way, usually using a teaspoon scoop. The cookie dough warm ups just enough to bake evenly. Works every time.

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