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Irresistible Holiday Cherry Chocolate Treats
These cherry chocolate treats always take me back to those deluxe chocolate-dipped cherries we enjoy at Christmastime. They come out incredibly tender and chocolatey with a beautiful maraschino cherry sitting right on the top. I adore adding that chocolate ganache drizzle - it gives them a fancy look but they're really quite simple to whip up. Whenever I take these to gatherings, folks assume I slaved away for ages, but between us, they don't take much time at all.
What You'll Need
- Cookie Mix: 1 bag 17.25 ounces to save you loads of time
- Dark Cocoa: ⅓ cup splurge on quality powder for better taste
- Room Temp Butter: ¼ cup needs to be completely softened
- Soft Cream Cheese: 4 ounces gives these cookies their velvety texture
- Large Egg: 1 cold from refrigerator works just fine
- Rich Cream: ¼ cup makes the dreamiest chocolate topping
- Chocolate Chips: ½ cup adds the perfect chocolatey finish
- Bright Red Cherries: 26 grab the most vibrant ones
Cookie Preparation Steps
- Prepare For Baking
- I start by heating my oven to 350°F and putting parchment on my baking tray so nothing sticks and cleanup's a breeze
- Combine Dry Ingredients
- I take a bowl and stir together the cookie mix and cocoa powder with a regular fork it's easy but crucial for that deep chocolate taste
- Blend Wet Ingredients
- In my large bowl I combine the softened butter cream cheese and egg until everything looks silky and uniform usually about 2 minutes with an electric mixer
- Create The Dough
- Here comes my favorite bit adding the dry mix into the wet ingredients. I go gradually with my mixer and sometimes finish with a rubber spatula
- Pop Them In The Oven
- Using my trusty cookie scoop I form 2-tablespoon balls then bake them for 10 to 12 minutes until just right
- Create The Topping
- During baking I heat the cream for half a minute in the microwave then add chocolate chips and stir till smooth before putting it in a plastic bag for easy drizzling
- Finish With Flair
- Fresh from the oven I press little spots with a teaspoon place those gorgeous cherries inside and add swirls of chocolate bliss
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Smart Cookie Tricks
From tons of batches I've learned some handy shortcuts. Always lay parchment under your wire rack when adding the chocolate drizzle - it'll make cleaning up so much easier. I can't live without my cookie scoop for getting uniform sizes. Try drizzling with melted white chocolate chips during the holidays for a stunning look. If your mixture gets tough to stir don't stress - just knead the final bits in with your fingers.
Ways To Enjoy Them
These treats taste amazing alongside a tall cold milk or your afternoon cup of joe. They stand out on Christmas cookie trays - I usually place them beside my powdered snowballs and green wreaths. They make wonderful presents too - I stack them in decorative containers with paper sheets between each row.
Storage Suggestions
Store these goodies in a sealed container and they'll stay tasty for several days. I recommend placing wax paper between the layers to keep the topping looking nice. You can leave them on your counter or store them in your fridge. They're actually quite yummy when chilled too. Try to finish them within 2-3 days though that's never been hard at my place.
Answers To Your Questions
- Is homemade dough okay? For sure you can swap in your go-to sugar cookie recipe instead
- Can I freeze them? The topping doesn't thaw well so I'd recommend making a fresh batch
- What's your scoop size? A 2-tablespoon scoop gives me perfect results every time
- Will other cherries work? The jar kind work best but you're welcome to try alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap fresh cherries for maraschino ones?
It's best to stick with maraschino cherries. Fresh ones could make the cookies soggy since they have more liquid.
- → Why press the cookies while warm?
When they're warm, the cookies are softer and easier to shape without cracking. Once cool, they can become more fragile.
- → Can the chocolate drizzle be prepped early?
Sure, just rewarm it gently before using. If it thickens too much, mix in a tiny splash of cream to smooth it out.
- → How do I store these cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Use parchment paper between layers to avoid any sticking.
- → Can these cookies be frozen?
Yes, freeze them without the toppings for up to 3 months. Add the cherry and chocolate after thawing for the freshest taste.