Indulge in Heavenly Decadent Black Forest Cookies Recipe

Rich chocolate and cherries dance together in these irresistible black forest cookies, creating a dessert that captures the essence of the classic German cake.

Sweet maraschino cherries nestled amid deep cocoa layers bring a burst of flavor to every delightful bite.

Dark chocolate chips melt luxuriously through the soft, chewy dough, complementing the bright cherry notes.

Each cookie promises a miniature journey through traditional German baking techniques with a modern twist.

The combination of rich chocolate and tart cherries transforms a simple treat into an extraordinary indulgence.

These cookies blend comfort and sophistication in one delectable package.

Bake a batch and watch them disappear in moments of pure culinary bliss.

Bake Cookies That Channel Black Forest Cake

• Awaken the Cherry

Pluck maraschino cherries from their jar, tenderly blot away moisture with soft towels, then chop them into delightful tiny pieces.

• Craft the Dough Foundation

Whip butter and sugars into a cloud-like mixture, then welcome eggs one by one, stirring in vanilla for extra warmth.

• Marry Dry Ingredients

Blend flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a dark, dreamy powder that promises rich flavor.

• Create Cookie Symphony

Gently combine wet and dry worlds, folding cherries and chocolate chips with loving care until perfectly integrated.

• Chill and Rest

Wrap dough in protective covering, letting it relax and develop deeper flavors in the refrigerator for one peaceful hour.

• Prepare the Oven Stage

Heat sanctuary to 350F, drape baking sheets with parchment, creating a welcoming surface for cookie transformation.

• Shape Cookie Treasures

Scoop generous dough balls onto prepared sheets, giving each cookie space to bloom beautifully.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide trays into warm embrace, baking 10-12 minutes until edges stand firm but centers whisper softness.

• Cool and Celebrate

Let cookies rest briefly on baking sheet, then transfer to cooling rack, welcoming their complete delicious metamorphosis.

Tips for That Moist and Chewy Cookie Texture

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, evenly mixed cookie dough that creates a consistent texture.
• Pat maraschino cherries extra dry to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy, ensuring crisp and delightful texture.
• Experiment with different chocolate chip combinations like dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even adding chocolate chunks for intense flavor variations.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and use certified gluten-free chocolate chips to make these cookies accessible for those with dietary restrictions.
• Cookie dough can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 weeks, providing convenient baking flexibility.

Present Black Forest Cookies with Flair

• Decadent Dessert Pairing: Serve these rich Black Forest Cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a luxurious contrast of warm cookie and cold, creamy sweetness.
• Cherry Chocolate Indulgence: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with additional chopped maraschino cherries for an extra elegant touch that enhances the Black Forest flavor profile.
• Coffee Companion: Enjoy these cookies with a steaming cup of freshly brewed espresso or a creamy cappuccino to complement the deep chocolate and bright cherry notes, creating a perfect afternoon treat.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package the cooled cookies in a cute mason jar or decorative tin with a ribbon, making them a delightful homemade gift for friends, family, or holiday gatherings.

Store These Cookies for Maximum Freshness

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delightful texture.
• Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies stay delicious for up to 3 months, ready to enjoy within minutes of thawing.
• Shape cookie dough into a log, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for 2-3 months. Slice and bake fresh cookies whenever you crave a sweet treat.
• Keep cookies away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Cool, dry spaces help maintain their rich chocolate and cherry flavors, preventing moisture buildup and preserving their soft, chewy texture.

FAQs

• Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries have different moisture levels and might make the cookie dough too wet. Maraschino cherries work best because they’re drained and provide the right sweetness and texture for these cookies.

• How do I know when the cookie dough is properly mixed?

The dough should look uniform in color with no dry flour streaks. Mix until ingredients are just combined – overmixing can make cookies tough and dense.

• Why is chilling the dough important for these cookies?

Chilling helps prevent cookies from spreading too much during baking. It allows the butter to firm up and helps the flavors meld together, resulting in a better texture and more concentrated taste.

• Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use?

Yes, you can freeze the dough in portions. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)

Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch

Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes

Calories: 204 kcal

Servings: 24

Black Forest Cookie Ingredient Rundown

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base and helps create soft cookie texture, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens and helps cookies caramelize, brown sugar adds deeper molasses notes and moisture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to structure, use fresh room-temperature eggs for smooth mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, select pure vanilla extract for most authentic taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie structure, use fresh flour and measure precisely for consistent results.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor, opt for high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa for richer taste.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Provide leavening and help cookies rise evenly, ensure they are fresh and not expired.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors, use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Maraschino Cherries: Adds vibrant color and sweet-tart burst, choose bright red, plump cherries and drain thoroughly.
• White Chocolate Chips, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Create delightful chocolate layers, select high-quality chips that melt smoothly.

Tools That Make Cherry Chocolate Cookies Shine

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing cookie dough thoroughly.
• Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer: Perfect for achieving light, fluffy butter mixture and incorporating ingredients evenly.
• Whisk: Needed to blend dry ingredients smoothly and prevent lumps in flour mixture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
• Baking Sheets: Used for baking cookies and creating perfectly shaped treats.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes for consistent baking.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Knife or Cutting Board: Useful for chopping maraschino cherries into small pieces.

Decadent Black Forest Cookies

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• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Black Forest Cookies blend rich German chocolate cake traditions with classic cookie charm. Layers of cocoa, dark chocolate chunks, and sweet cherries create an irresistible dessert you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (175g) maraschino cherries, drained, patted dry, and chopped
• 1 cup (170g) white chocolate chips
• 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Cherries: Meticulously drain and pat maraschino cherries until completely dry, then finely dice into precise, uniform pieces.
2. Create Butter Base: In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light, fluffy, and thoroughly combined.
3. Develop Wet Mixture: Integrate eggs one at a time, blending completely after each addition, then incorporate vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl to create a homogeneous dry mixture.
5. Form Cookie Dough: Delicately fold dry ingredients into butter mixture, minimizing mixing to preserve cookie tenderness, then gently incorporate chopped cherries, white and semi-sweet chocolate chips for balanced texture and flavor.
6. Chill Dough: Wrap dough and refrigerate for 60 minutes to intensify flavors and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
7. Prepare Baking Setup: Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for optimal cookie release.
8. Shape and Bake: Use a cookie scoop to create uniform dough balls, spacing them two inches apart on prepared sheets, then bake for 10-12 minutes until edges set and centers remain slightly soft.
9. Cool and Finish: Let cookies rest on baking sheets for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling, allowing cookies to achieve perfect chewy consistency.

Notes

• Cherry Prep Technique: Pat maraschino cherries completely dry to prevent excess moisture from making cookie dough soggy and affecting texture.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour to intensify flavors, prevent spreading, and create more concentrated chocolate-cherry taste.
• Maintain Soft Cookie Texture: Mix dry ingredients minimally and remove cookies from oven when edges are set but centers remain slightly soft to ensure chewy, tender result.
• Chocolate Chip Distribution: Fold chocolate chips and chopped cherries gently to ensure even spread, preventing ingredient clumping and guaranteeing balanced flavor in every bite.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes (per batch)
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 211
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 70mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 24mg