Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Rich Chocolate Cherry Ganache Recipe

If you love the combination of rich chocolate with the sweet burst of cherries, you’re going to adore these Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Rich Chocolate Cherry Ganache Recipe. I absolutely love how the chocolate cookie base is tender and fudgy, while the ganache filling wraps everything in a luscious cherry-chocolate hug. It’s the kind of treat that feels fancy but comes together in a surprisingly simple way.

These cookies are perfect for cozy afternoons or as a show-stopping dessert for get-togethers. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed by how that bit of cherry preserves in the ganache lifted the entire cookie to a whole new level. Plus, you’ll find that you don’t need a ton of ingredients to get a decadent result — just some patience and the right chocolate!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Rich Chocolate Cherry Ganache Recipe has a purpose, working together to create that perfect balance of rich chocolate and fruity cherry. I recommend using quality chocolate and cherry preserves for the best flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Make sure it’s spooned and leveled to avoid dense cookies.
• Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder: This gives a deep chocolate color and smooth flavor without acidity.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly without making them cakey.
• Sea Salt: Just a pinch brings out the chocolate’s richness beautifully.
• Unsalted Butter: Should be softened to room temp for smooth creaming.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses depth to the cookies.
• Granulated White Sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with the cookie’s texture.
• Egg Yolks: At room temperature for best emulsification and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla always enhances chocolate, so don’t skip it.
• Chocolate (for Ganache): I used Endangered Species Chocolate Vibrant Cherries + Dark Chocolate for an amazing cherry-chocolate hit.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luscious creaminess to the ganache.
• Cherry Preserves: Use a high-quality preserve for natural fruit flavor and sweetness without artificial notes.

Variations

I love to play with flavors in this Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Rich Chocolate Cherry Ganache Recipe, and you might enjoy trying different twists too! Feel free to customize the recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs.

• Add Nuts: I sometimes throw in toasted walnuts or pecans into the dough for a subtle crunch that complements the fudginess.
• Use Darker Chocolate: For a more intense chocolate flavor, swapping the milk or semi-sweet chocolate with an 80% dark chocolate works beautifully.
• Go Vegan: You can replace butter with coconut oil and use a vegan chocolate and plant-based cream to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
• Cherry Substitute: If cherries aren’t your thing, raspberry or blackberry preserves also pair wonderfully.

How to Make Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Rich Chocolate Cherry Ganache Recipe

Step 1: Whisk together your dry ingredients

Start by mixing your flour, cocoa powder, sea salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. I always whisk these well so the cocoa blends evenly through the flour—it really helps deliver a consistent chocolate flavor in every bite.

Step 2: Cream the butter and sugars

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with light brown sugar and granulated sugar. I prefer using an electric mixer here because it gets the mixture light and fluffy in a couple of minutes, which makes a big difference in the cookie’s tenderness.

Step 3: Add egg yolks and vanilla

Next, add in your egg yolks and vanilla extract and mix until the batter is light and fluffy. This step helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture while enriching the dough’s flavor.

Step 4: Combine wet and dry ingredients

Slowly add your dry ingredient mix to the wet ingredients, stirring on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – you want a tender cookie, not a tough one!

Step 5: Shape and chill the dough

I use a tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out 32 dough balls, rolling each into a smooth ball. Then, I press an indent into each cookie with a 1/4 teaspoon just after shaping — that little dip is crucial to hold the ganache later. Chill your dough for at least an hour; this step makes shaping easier and helps the cookies bake perfectly.

Step 6: Bake to perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange 8 cookies per sheet, and bake for 9-11 minutes. I think 10 minutes hits the sweet spot—cookies will be set around the edges but soft in the center. Right out of the oven, lightly press the centers again with your measuring spoon since the indent may puff up a bit while baking.

Step 7: Shape edges while warm

While your cookies are still warm, I like to gently scoot a round cookie cutter around each cookie to sharpen their edges and shrink them slightly back to size. This trick gives them that perfect, professional-looking shape!

Step 8: Make the chocolate cherry ganache

Chop your chocolate and place it in a bowl. Heat the heavy cream just until it almost boils, then pour it over the chocolate. Stir slowly until the chocolate has fully melted and the ganache is smooth. After that, mix in the cherry preserves to add that exquisite fruity zing.

Step 9: Assemble and chill cookies

Fill each cookie’s center indent with about one teaspoon of your ganache (feel free to be generous if it fits!). Pop the cookies into the fridge for 10-15 minutes so the ganache sets nicely. Then you’re ready to enjoy!

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Rich Chocolate Cherry Ganache Recipe

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the ganache right after filling the cookies — it contrasts beautifully with the sweet cherry and chocolate. For an extra festive touch, some toasted sliced almonds or a few fresh cherries on top never hurt.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a simple cup of black coffee or a rich hot chocolate. For a grown-up twist, a glass of cherry-infused red wine or port complements the cherries in the ganache beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve had fun stacking these cookies in a pretty tiered dessert stand for holiday parties, adding fresh cherries and mint leaves in between layers for color and aroma. They also make charming edible gifts—just pop them in a cellophane bag tied with a cherry red ribbon!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Rich Chocolate Cherry Ganache Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the ganache nice and firm. They’re best enjoyed within three days, though I must admit they rarely last that long around my kitchen!

Freezing

If I’m making extras, I’ll freeze the baked cookies without ganache first. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Then, when ready to enjoy, thaw and add ganache fresh—this keeps everything tasting bright and fresh.

Reheating

To soften the cookies slightly, I warm them in the microwave for about 10 seconds before serving, especially if they’ve been chilled. This lets the ganache soften just a bit, creating that irresistible gooey texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Rich Chocolate Cherry Ganache Recipe has become one of my personal favorites for special occasions and simple indulgences alike. I love that it’s approachable enough for a weekday bake but elegant enough to impress guests. Honestly, you’ll find that once you make these, they’ll quickly become your go-to when you want something that’s packed with flavor yet wonderfully comforting. Give them a try—you won’t regret it!

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