Description
Sweet chocolate cherry cookies bring irresistible Mediterranean dessert magic to classic baking traditions. Juicy cherries and rich chocolate create a delightful harmony you cannot resist, promising pure indulgence in every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (188 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter
- 5 ounces (142 g) dark chocolate
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup (85 g) cherry preserves
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (90 ml) heavy cream
Stabilizers and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the dry mixture by whisking flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Incorporate egg yolks and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, beating until smooth and airy.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined to create a cohesive dough.
- Using a cookie scoop, portion the dough into 32 equal balls. Create a small indent in the center of each ball using a 1/4 teaspoon.
- Refrigerate cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 1 hour to firm up.
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange chilled cookies on baking sheets, spacing them appropriately.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, watching carefully. Immediately re-press centers with a 1/4 teaspoon if they have puffed up.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Create ganache by placing chopped chocolate in a medium bowl.
- Heat heavy cream until it nearly boils, then pour over chocolate. Stir until smooth and glossy.
- Blend cherry preserves into the chocolate mixture until fully incorporated.
- Carefully spoon ganache into the center of each cooled cookie.
- Refrigerate assembled cookies for 10-15 minutes to set the ganache.
Notes
- Softening butter beforehand ensures smooth, evenly mixed cookie dough without lumps or uneven texture.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains the cookies’ shape during baking, creating a more compact and structured result.
- Using high-quality cocoa powder and fresh cherries elevates the flavor complexity, transforming standard cookies into gourmet treats.
- For gluten-free variations, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same measurement proportions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 242
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 47 mg