Baking Sheet: Lined with parchment paper for even baking and easy cleanup.
Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients smoothly.
Paper Towels: Used to drain and dry chopped maraschino cherries.
Wire Rack: Ideal for cooling cookies after baking.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for accurate recipe results.
How to Bake Maraschino Cherry Bliss Cookies Easily
Cherry Blush Delights
Cherry Preparation Drain maraschino cherries and gently pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Chop cherries into small, delicate pieces.
Butter Blending Cream together butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your cookies.
Flavor Fusion Incorporate eggs and extracts into the butter mixture, stirring until well combined. Add a touch of pink gel food coloring to create a soft, rosy hue.
Dry Ingredient Harmony Gently fold flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Chocolate and Cherry Magic Tenderly fold chopped cherries and chocolate chips into the dough, ensuring even distribution of sweet morsels.
Cookie Crafting Shape dough into round balls, pressing extra chocolate chips and cherry pieces onto the surface for a gorgeous finish.
Baking Brilliance Slide cookies into a preheated oven at 350º F. Bake until edges are lightly golden, creating a perfect tender texture.
Cooling Moment Let cookies rest on the baking sheet, allowing them to set and develop their full, delightful flavor profile before transferring to a cooling rack.
Sweet Twists for Cherry Bliss Cookies
Cherry Cookie Wisdom: Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly on paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy.
Flavor Boost: Experiment with different extract combinations like adding a hint of rum or orange extract to enhance the cherry flavor profile.
Texture Tricks: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create a thicker, chewier cookie.
Decorative Delights: Drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies or sprinkle crushed freeze-dried cherries on top for an extra gourmet touch.
Color Play: Adjust the pink gel food coloring intensity to create lighter or deeper pink hues, matching your desired aesthetic or celebration theme.
Ways to Serve Maraschino Cherry Bliss Cookies
Sweet Romantic Date Night Dessert: Serve these pink-hued cookies alongside a glass of champagne or sparkling rosé for an intimate dessert perfect for couples celebrating a special evening.
Cherry Lover's Platter: Create a beautiful dessert board featuring these cookies, fresh cherries, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent cherry-themed treat.
Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these delightful cookies with a light chamomile or Earl Grey tea, arranging them elegantly on a vintage china plate for a sophisticated mid-afternoon snack that feels luxurious and indulgent.
Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package the cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a pink ribbon, adding a few fresh cherries on top as a charming garnish for a homemade gift that looks professionally crafted.
Store Cherry Bliss Cookies Soft and Sweet
Cookie Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Freezing Friendly: Wrap cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, store in freezer-safe bags for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
Moisture Magic: Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to maintain cookie softness and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.
Temperature TLC: Let cookies cool completely before storing to avoid condensation, which can make them soggy and reduce their delightful texture.
Homemade maraschino cherry bliss cookies combine sweet nostalgia with delightful cherry flavor. Delicate vanilla-infused dough studded with chopped cherries creates a perfect little treat for dessert lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 ¼ cups (267 grams) light brown sugar
¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for garnish
1 cup drained & finely chopped maraschino cherries, plus extra for garnish
Small amount of pink gel food coloring
Instructions
Prepare Cherries: Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly, blot with paper towels, and finely dice to minimize excess liquid.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a bowl until perfectly blended.
Create Base Mixture: Cream butter with brown and white sugars until fluffy and pale, creating a smooth foundation for the cookies.
Integrate Wet Components: Blend eggs, vanilla and almond extracts, and pink gel food coloring into the butter mixture until uniformly incorporated and delicately tinted.
Merge Ingredients: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture with minimal stirring, maintaining a light, tender cookie consistency.
Add Flavor Elements: Gently incorporate chopped cherries and chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
Shape Cookies: Scoop uniform dough balls, strategically garnishing exteriors with additional chocolate chips and cherry fragments for enhanced visual and flavor profile.
Bake Precisely: Arrange cookies on lined baking sheet with adequate spacing, then bake in a preheated 350º F (177º C) oven for 11-12 minutes, monitoring to preserve color and prevent excessive browning.
Cool and Finish: Rest cookies on baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to complete cooling process, allowing flavors and texture to settle.
Notes
Moisture Management: Thoroughly drain and pat dry maraschino cherries to prevent soggy cookies and maintain ideal texture.
Mixing Mastery: Minimize stirring when combining dry and wet ingredients to keep cookies tender and soft.
Color Control: Add pink gel food coloring gradually for consistent, delicate pink hue without overwhelming the dough.
Precision Placement: Strategically embed extra chocolate chips and cherry pieces on cookie exteriors for enhanced visual and flavor appeal.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.