These easy Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies are a delicious treat to add to your holiday cookie trays this year. Everyone will be delighted to find a cherry hidden beneath a layer of delicious chocolate! They are perfect for Christmas or even Valentine's Day.
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I love finding chocolate-covered cherries in boxes of assorted chocolates because I enjoy the flavor combo. A while back, at Christmas, those candies inspired me to make chocolate covered cherry cookies using cake mix.
Using a mix as the foundation for these cookies is a game-changer. Not only does it save time, but it also guarantees a soft texture. Plus, you can use any flavor of cake to make them. We love them so much that we make them all year long.
If you are a fan of cherry cordials, you will absolutely love these simple cherry cookies. They are a great treat for any holiday cookie exchange or special dinner.
The chocolate chip cookies have a hidden maraschino cherry that is guaranteed to make you smile. Indulge yourself or impress guests with our unique twist on a classic.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy. These thumbprint cookies are popular because they are simple. Cake mix makes them easy to prepare, even for new bakers.
- Sweet Flavor. The soft treats have a hidden cherry center topped with a rich layer of chocolate frosting. This flavor combo tastes amazing!
- Perfect for Any Occasion. These cookies are great any time of year, whether for a special celebration or a sweet pick-me-up.
Are you looking for more simple cake mix cookies for the holiday season? Try these Oreo peppermint crunch cookies or these cinnamon caramel cookies.
Key Ingredients
For this cherry cookie recipe, you only need basic pantry items as the main ingredients. However, if you're missing any, add them to your grocery list.
- Vanilla Cake Mix - You only use the dry cake mix powder, so do NOT follow the box directions.
- Unsalted Butter - Set it out beforehand so it can soften.
- Large Egg - One will add the moisture needed to make cookie dough.
- Vanilla Extract - Adds flavor. You can also use ½ teaspoon almond extract.
- Mini Chocolate Chips - The tiny chips work the best because these are small cookies.
- Maraschino Cherries - Jarred cherries are what we use in this recipe. Pat them dry with paper towels before placing them on each cooled cookie.
- Melted Chocolate - Microwave heavy cream and chocolate chips in a small bowl so it is smooth and creamy.
BruCrew Tip: Use a chocolate cake mix to make these chocolate cherry cookies.
How To Make Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
I always look forward to making this unique cookie because they are so easy to make. Plus, they look pretty and taste amazing! The sweet center brings so much happiness and joy to everyone who eats them.
- Make the cookie dough. In a large bowl, beat the dry cake mix, softened butter, egg, and cream cheese until it forms a soft dough, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Gently stir in diced cherries and mini chocolate chips.
- Chill the dough. Cover and chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Roll and bake. Roll the dough into 36 balls. Place 12 cookies on a baking sheet, then place them in the oven. Once they are finished, remove them and let the cookies cool on the hot pan for a few minutes.
- Decorate and serve. While the cookies are warm, press a cherry into the center of the cookies. Once cooled, spoon melted chocolate on top and let set before wrapping them up for a cookie swap.
Storage Recommendations
These chocolate chip cherry cookies can be covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days. Place the cookies on a single layer of parchment paper so they do not stick together.
Tips and Tricks
- Give the dough time to chill so the cookies don't spread. I realize it makes the cookie process longer, but it does make a difference in how the cookies bake/spread.
- Divide the dough evenly. Use a small cookie scoop to portion out the dough.
- Do not overbake these cookies. They will look underdone when you take them out of the oven. Trust the recipe. The cookies will firm up as they cool on a wire rack.
- Cake mix cookies have the best texture after they have cooled completely.
- Pat the drained maraschino cherries dry with a paper towel before wrapping them in the cookie dough. This helps prevent excess juice from affecting the cookie texture.
Variations
- Use different cake mix flavors. For a rich chocolate cookie, use Devil's Food Cake mix. For a festive red cookie, try red velvet cake mix.
- Get creative with frosting. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate, such as dark or white chocolate. Or add a hint of almond extract or some of the reserved cherry juice to the ganache for an extra layer of flavor.
- Enjoy a boozy treat. Use bourbon-soaked cherries. These can be found online or in specialty stores.
FAQs
Absolutely! Any flavor cake mix will taste fantastic with this recipe.
Of course! The frosting is the cherry on top (pun intended), but the cookies taste delicious even without it.
Chilling the dough for 60 minutes before baking can help prevent excessive spreading.
Get ready to fall in love with this chocolate-covered cherry cookie recipe! Share your baking adventures and tag me in your photos on Instagram-I can't wait to see your delicious creations. Happy baking!
More Easy Christmas Cookies
- Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
- Chocolate Blossom Cookies
- Molasses Crackle Cookies
- Christmas Kiss Cookies
- Red Velvet Peppermint Pattie Cookies
- Pomegranate Cookies
- Orange Cardamom Cookies
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Recipe
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
These easy soft Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies are a delicious treat to add to your holiday cookie trays. The hidden cherry is a fun surprise to find.
Ingredients
- 1 white cake mix
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 - 10 ounce jars maraschino cherries
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
- Mix the cake mix, butter, egg, and cream cheese until a soft dough forms.
- Drain the jars of cherries. Set aside 36 cherries. Dice the remaining cherries and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Gently stir the diced cherries and mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough, then place the bowl in the refrigerator for an hour.
- Scoop into 36 even dough balls. Place 12 at a time on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 9 minutes. Remove and let the cookies cool on the pan for 2-3 minutes before carefully transferring them to parchment paper on the counter.
- Press the remaining cherries into the tops of the cookies. Let cool completely.
- Place the chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds, then stir until melted. If necessary, heat again for another 15-30 seconds. Stir until melted and creamy.
- Cover the tops of the cookies with the melted chocolate. Let it set before storing it in a sealed container.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
- Give the dough time to chill so the cookies don't spread. I realize it makes the cookie process longer, but it does make a difference in how the cookies bake/spread.
- Divide the dough evenly. Use a small cookie scoop to portion out the dough.
- Do not overbake these cookies.They will look underdone when you take them out of the oven. Trust the recipe. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Cake mix cookies have the best texture after they have cooled completely.
- Pat the drained maraschino cherries dry with a paper towel before wrapping them in the cookie dough. This helps prevent excess juice from affecting the cookie texture.
Variations
- Use different cake mix flavors. For a rich chocolate cookie, use Devil's Food Cake mix. For a festive red cookie, try red velvet cake mix.
- Get creative with frosting. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate, such as dark or white chocolate. Or add a hint of almond extract or some of the maraschino cherry juice to the ganache for an extra layer of flavor.
- Enjoy a boozy treat. Use bourbon-soaked cherries. These can be found online or in specialty stores.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 36 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 115Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 21mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 1g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published in November 2016. It was updated and then republished in November 2023.
Gretchen Tyree says
Could this dough be patted into a heart shaped foil pan to make a cookie cake? Thank you!
Jocelyn says
I haven't done this yet, but yes, I believe that would work just fine. How big is the heart pan? The cake mix dough makes enough to pat into a 9x13 pan. I would bake that at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, depending on your oven and baking pan. If the foil pan is smaller, the bake time may be shorter. I hope that helps and you enjoy the cookie cake.