Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY COOKIES RECIPE

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Open the cherries, drain and reserve the cherry juice and place the cherries on paper towels to dry well.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (that's one stick of butter)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup cocoa, sift if necessary to remove lumps
• 1 jar/can Maraschino cherries pitted of your choice

Extra Sugar in a small bowl to coat/roll the cookie balls in

GANACHE To Top The Cherry Off With

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream
• A little cherry juice if you desire for flavor...just a touch.

Note:  *This will make a lot of Ganache, but any leftover can be used in hot chocolate*  

COOKIE BATTER  INSTRUCTIONS

Using a stand mixer

1. Cream the butter and add the sugar, mixing well until light and fluffy. 
2. Add the egg and vanilla, mix just until blended
3. In a large bowl, add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, & cocoa mix by hand lightly
4. Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients in the bowl of the mixer, beating carefully
5. The batter will be dry, may appear crackly, but it will handle well when you begin to work with it
6. Using a scoop or two teaspoons, measure & shape with your fingers into 1-inch size balls 
7. Roll the cookie balls into the small bowl of sugar
8. Place the cookie balls onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet
9. Use your thumb or any finger to punch a hole into the center of each cookie ball
10. Place a cherry into the center hole you just made in the cookie
11. Bake 10 -12 minutes
12. Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes
13. Top each cookie with a teaspoon or so of the Chocolate Ganache -Let sit until the chocolate is set

GANACHE INSTRUCTIONS

Note: **While cookies are baking, you can make the Ganache**

• Heat the cream just until boiling
• Turn the burner off
• Pour the hot cream into the chocolate chips, let this sit for a few minutes, then stir slowly to mix & melt well. 
• You may add a tiny bit of the reserved cherry juice for flavor if you wish
• Continue mixing the Ganache until it is very smooth, thickened, and glossy.
• Top the cherry on top of each cookie after they've baked and have cooled for a few minutes
• Let the chocolate set before trying to move any of the cookies

Cookie Batter in the Bowl

The batter seems dry, but it really isn't

We used Oregon canned whole dark sweet pitted cherries, but you could use jarred maraschino cocktail cherries. I'll bet you could even use just regular Maraschino pitted Cherries if you wanted to.

Remember to drain the cherries well before using

Then place on paper towels to continue drying. Do this before making the cookies

Cookies Baked, Ready To Top the Cherries with Chocolate Ganache

Yummy, The cherries are now coated with chocolate frosting/ganache

These cookies are all over the internet, and until my Carly surprised me with them, I never knew!  If you know me, you know I've always loved chocolate-covered cherries for Christmas! You may remember one of my Christmas memories, 'Grandpa and Chocolate Covered Cherries' 

This was a great surprise! Thank you, Carly!

They are Delicious!

We found many recipes for Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies online. Some with a few variations. I could go on and on, but I'll stop here.   All sound Delicious! If I know me/we will try them all!

Valerie's Kitchen- Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies Recipe Taste of Home 

She used Bright Red maraschino cherries, brown and white sugar, plus 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, plus 2 tablespoons cherry juice as needed, in her frosting for her Thumbprint cookies.

Marie Kinyon  Taste of Home Kitchen:  Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies Recipe. She also uses 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup condensed milk with 1-3 teaspoons cherry juice for her frosting.  She then cools them on wire racks.

I Am A Baker Amanda Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies Recipe. She uses 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup condensed milk, 2 teaspoons of reserved cherry juice.  Bakes her's 9-11 minutes.

Storage:  She says you can store these is placed in containers and separated by wax paper for 2-3 days. You can also freeze these 2 - 3 months thaw at room temperature.

Wyse Guide Kaleb Wyse Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies Recipe His recipe calls for a 10oz jar of Maraschino cherries, 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 3/4 cup heavy cream. 
He & His Mom also has a video on YouTube Wyse Guide.

Food Network

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies Recipe Here

Better Homes and Gardens

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies Recipe Here