Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Rich Cherry Ganache Recipe

Introduction

These Chocolate Cherry Cookies combine rich cocoa flavors with a luscious cherry-filled ganache for a truly irresistible treat. Soft, chocolaty, and bursting with cherry sweetness, they make a perfect dessert or snack for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/2 cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
• 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 oz chocolate, chopped (such as dark chocolate with cherries)
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp (90 ml) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (85 g) cherry preserves

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on high speed until well combined.
3. Step 3: Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined.
5. Step 5: Scoop the dough into 32 tablespoon-sized balls. Press each ball with a 1/4 tsp measuring spoon to create an indent. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for one hour.
6. Step 6: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) about 15 minutes before baking. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Step 7: Arrange 8 cookies per baking sheet and bake for 9-11 minutes, aiming for about 10 minutes for perfect texture.
8. Step 8: Immediately after removing from the oven, gently press the centers again with a 1/4 tsp if the indent has diminished. Use a circular cookie cutter to shape and resize the cookies while warm.
9. Step 9: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Step 10: To make the ganache, place the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan just until it’s about to boil, then pour it over the chocolate. Stir until smooth.
11. Step 11: Stir in the cherry preserves until well combined.
12. Step 12: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cherry chocolate ganache into the center indent of each cookie. Add more if the indent allows.
13. Step 13: Chill the assembled cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to let the ganache set before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a high-quality dark chocolate with cherry bits for the best flavor in the ganache.
• For a nutty twist, add chopped toasted almonds or walnuts to the cookie dough.
• If you prefer a more intense cherry flavor, substitute cherry preserves with fresh cherry compote.
• Make sure the egg yolks are at room temperature to help the dough come together smoothly.

Storage

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To enjoy, bring them to room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. The ganache will soften beautifully and the cookies remain moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch-process?

Yes, you can substitute regular cocoa powder, but the flavor might be slightly less rich and the color a bit lighter. Adjust the amount to taste if needed.

Can these cookies be frozen?

Yes, freeze the baked and cooled cookies, unfilled, in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature, then fill with ganache before serving. Ganache-filled cookies can also be frozen, but texture may be slightly affected.

Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Rich Cherry Ganache Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 61 reviews

Decadent Chocolate Cherry Cookies featuring a rich cocoa cookie base filled with a luscious chocolate cherry ganache. Perfectly soft and fudgy with a hint of cherry sweetness, these cookies make an indulgent treat for chocolate and fruit lovers alike.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 32 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chocolate Cookies

• 1 1/2 cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/2 cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
• 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate Cherry Ganache

• 5 oz chocolate, chopped (preferably Dark Chocolate with Cherries like Endangered Species Chocolate Vibrant Cherries + Dark Chocolate)
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp (90 ml) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (85 g) cherry preserves

Instructions

1. Prepare Dry Ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, sea salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars. Using an electric mixer on high speed, cream the softened unsalted butter with the light brown sugar and granulated white sugar until smooth and fluffy. A stand mixer with a paddle attachment works well for this step.
3. Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla. Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla extract on medium speed until the batter is light and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
5. Scoop and Shape Dough. Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, portion the dough into 32 balls. Press each ball with a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon to create an indentation. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for one hour to firm up.
6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets. Fifteen minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Arrange Cookies. Place 8 cookie dough balls per prepared baking sheet, spaced comfortably apart to allow for spreading.
8. Bake Cookies. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, aiming for around 10 minutes for a perfect texture. Immediately after removing from the oven, lightly press the centers again with a 1/4 teaspoon to re-indent, as the initial indent may have puffed out during baking.
9. Shape Cookies. While still warm, use a circular cookie or biscuit cutter to gently slide around each cookie for a perfect round shape and to slightly shrink them back to size.
10. Cool. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Make Ganache. Place the chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan just until it begins to boil, then pour over the chocolate. Stir gently until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
12. Add Cherry Preserves. Stir the cherry preserves into the melted chocolate-cream mixture until fully combined.
13. Fill Cookies. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the chocolate cherry ganache into the indent of each cooled cookie. Add a little more ganache if the indent can hold it.
14. Set Ganache. Chill the filled cookies in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the ganache to set properly.
15. Storage. Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days to maintain freshness and ganache texture.

Notes

• Chilling the dough before baking helps maintain the cookie shape and prevents excessive spreading.
• Using Dutch-process cocoa powder gives a richer, less acidic chocolate flavor compared to natural cocoa.
• The precise size and shape with a cookie cutter after baking ensures a visually appealing presentation.
• Ganache should be smooth and pourable, not too thick; heat the cream just until boiling to avoid overheating the chocolate.
• Store cookies refrigerated to keep the ganache from becoming too soft at room temperature.
• For a different flavor twist, try substituting cherry preserves with raspberry or strawberry preserves.

Keywords: chocolate cherry cookies, chocolate cookies, ganache-filled cookies, cocoa cookies, cherry preserves, chocolate dessert