Introduction

These Chewy Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Chips offer a perfect balance of rich chocolate, bold coffee flavor, and sweet cherries. With a delightfully soft and chewy texture, they make an irresistible treat for any occasion.

The image shows a white plate filled with soft, round cookies. Each cookie has a light golden beige base that looks soft and thick. On top, there are dark red cherries and rich dark brown chocolate swirls and chips, creating a colorful mix of smooth and shiny textures. The cherries are slightly sunken into the cookie dough, and the chocolate appears glossy and melted in places, adding a rich contrast. The cookies are stacked with the top one clearly in focus and more cookies blurred in the background, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (substitute with whole wheat flour for nuttier flavor)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar (dark brown for richer flavor)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup dark chocolate chips (milk chocolate optional)
½ cup mocha chips (can replace with more chocolate chips)
¾ cup chopped dried cherries (fresh cherries when in season)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening.
Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Step 4: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and continue mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
Step 6: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips, mocha chips, and chopped dried cherries with a spatula, ensuring even distribution.
Step 7: Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 8: Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden brown and centers look slightly undercooked for that perfect chewy texture.
Step 9: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to enhance chewiness.
Use high-quality chocolate and fresh or premium dried cherries for the best flavor.
Swap dried cherries for dried cranberries for a tart twist.
Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch.
For a vegan version, replace the egg with 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water.
Try a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper for a subtle spicy kick.
Use gluten-free flour to accommodate gluten sensitivities.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them soft and chewy. For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to two weeks, allowing cookies to come to room temperature before serving. You can also freeze cookies up to three months; separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. To reheat, microwave frozen cookies for 15–20 seconds or warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for a few minutes for a fresh-baked taste.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a stack of soft cookies on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a pale golden base with swirled dark brown chocolate, and several whole dark red cherries are embedded on top, some showing shiny, juicy textures with slight juice leaks. The cookies are round, slightly thick, and plush, with chocolate and cherry layers appearing uneven but natural. In the background, more cookies with the same pattern are slightly blurred, creating depth in the photo. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

What cherries should I use for these cookies?

High-quality dried cherries work best to provide sweetness and chewiness that complement the chocolate and mocha flavors. Fresh cherries are also excellent in season, adding juiciness to the cookies.

How long do these cookies last?

Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies last up to one week at room temperature. Refrigerating extends their freshness to about two weeks, just let them warm before enjoying.