Pin
Irresistible Christmas Chocolate Cherry Delights
These chocolate cherry treats always make me think of those fancy boxed chocolates we grab during the holidays. They come out incredibly soft and full of chocolate flavor with a beautiful maraschino cherry sitting right on top. Adding that rich chocolate ganache drizzle makes them look super impressive, though they're actually quite simple to whip up. Whenever I take these to gatherings, everyone thinks I've been slaving away when really they're so quick to throw together.
Your Ingredient List
- Sugar Cookie Mix: 1 bag 17.25 ounces which cuts your prep time in half
- Cocoa Powder: ⅓ cup splurge on quality stuff for better flavor
- Unsalted Butter: ¼ cup left out until completely soft
- Cream Cheese: 4 ounces room temperature for ultimate creaminess
- Egg: 1 large don't worry about warming it up
- Heavy Cream: ¼ cup creates the smoothest ganache ever
- Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips: ½ cup they make everything better
- Maraschino Cherries: 26 grab the most perfect ones in the jar
Baking Instructions
- Warm Up Your Oven
- Start by cranking your oven to 350°F and getting your baking sheet covered with parchment paper to keep everything from sticking
- Combine Dry Ingredients
- Take a bowl and blend the cookie mix with the cocoa powder using whatever fork you've got handy to get that deep chocolate taste
- Whip Up Wet Mixture
- In your main mixing bowl beat together your softened butter with cream cheese and egg until you've got a nice smooth mixture around 2 minutes with an electric mixer
- Create Your Dough
- Now the good part comes when you mix those dry ingredients into your wet mixture gradually until you've got proper cookie dough sometimes I finish it off with a rubber spatula
- Shape and Bake
- Grab your cookie scoop to make evenly sized balls about 2 tablespoons each then let them bake for 10 to 12 minutes until done
- Prepare Chocolate Topping
- During baking heat your cream in the microwave just 30 seconds then stir in those chocolate chips until everything's smooth then pour into a ziplock bag for easy drizzling
- Finish With Cherries
- As soon as they're out of the oven press little indents with a spoon gently place cherries in each cookie and finish with that amazing chocolate drizzle
Pin
Smart Baking Shortcuts
I've made these treats so many times now and learned plenty of tricks. Put some parchment under your wire rack before drizzling chocolate and you'll thank yourself during cleanup. Getting a cookie scoop changed my life for making uniform cookies. Try switching to white chocolate drizzle sometimes especially for holiday parties it looks stunning. When your dough feels too thick just dig in with clean hands to mix the final bits together.
Perfect Pairings
These treats go down so well with ice cold milk or a hot cup of afternoon joe. They stand out on any holiday dessert tray I usually surround them with my white snowball cookies and green wreath treats. They make wonderful gifts too just stack them carefully in decorative boxes with paper between each layer.
Storage Tips
Store your finished cookies in something airtight and they'll stay yummy for a few days. I always put wax paper between the rows so they don't stick together. Keep them on your counter or stick them in the fridge if your kitchen runs warm. They actually taste fantastic when chilled too. Try to finish them within 2 to 3 days though in my house they never last that long anyway.
Questions You Might Have
- Can I swap in homemade cookie dough? Sure thing just use whatever sugar cookie recipe you love
- Will they hold up in the freezer? I wouldn't recommend it as the chocolate topping gets strange when thawed
- What exact scoop do you prefer? I go with a 2 tablespoon size gives me perfect cookies every time
- Are other cherries okay? Maraschinos work really best but you can always try something different
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can frozen cherries work here?
It's better to stick with maraschino cherries since they don't add extra liquid. Frozen ones might make the dough too soggy.
- → Why shape the cookies right out of the oven?
Warm cookies are soft, so it's easier to press in the well for the cherry. Once they cool, they might crack if you try.
- → Can I prepare the drizzle early?
Sure, but reheat it gently before using. If it thickens up too much, just stir in a splash of cream to loosen it.
- → How do I store these cookies?
Keep them in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Place parchment between layers to avoid sticking.
- → Can I freeze them?
You can freeze the cookies without any toppings for up to 3 months. Add the cherry and drizzle after thawing to keep them fresh.