Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies Recipe

The Secret Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies Recipe

Sweet cherry almond chocolate delight cookies blend unexpected flavor profiles that dance across your palate with surprising sophistication.

Delicate ingredients merge into a harmonious culinary experience that feels both luxurious and comforting.

Imagine soft, chewy textures complemented by rich chocolate undertones and bright fruit nuances.

Complex layers of taste weave together like an intricate culinary tapestry, promising sensory excitement in every bite.

Subtle almond notes provide elegant depth, creating a sophisticated dessert that transcends ordinary cookie expectations.

Each carefully crafted morsel offers a delightful balance between sweet, nutty, and decadent elements.

Irresistible and elegant, these cookies invite you to savor a moment of pure gastronomic pleasure.

What Makes Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies So Special

  • These cookies create a delightful symphony of sweet dark chocolate, tangy dried cherries, and rich toasted almonds that dance together in every single bite.
  • The straightforward mixing method and simple step-by-step process make these cookies perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced home chefs.
  • Enjoy a magical combination of crisp edges, soft centers, and crunchy almond pieces that provide an exciting sensory experience with each mouthful.
  • These gourmet-style cookies deliver a sophisticated dessert that feels both indulgent and warmly familiar, making them ideal for casual gatherings or special occasions.

Ingredients for Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies

Fats and Sweeteners:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for cookie texture and flavor, use unsalted for better control of salt content.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creates sweetness and helps with cookie caramelization and soft texture.
Flour and Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Gives structural foundation to cookies, essential for proper texture.
  • Almond Flour: Adds nutty flavor and tender crumb, enhances overall cookie complexity.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread, critical for achieving desired cookie shape.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
Add-Ins and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides moisture, acts as natural emulsifier.
  • Almond Extract: Intensifies almond flavor, adds aromatic depth to cookies.
  • Toasted Chopped Almonds: Brings crunchy texture and nutty taste, adds interesting mouthfeel.
  • Dark Chocolate Chips: Provides rich, bittersweet chocolate notes, complements other ingredients.
  • Dried Cherries: Introduces tart, fruity element, creates flavor contrast with chocolate and nuts.

Instructions to Make Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies

Step 1: Whip Butter and Sugars

Grab your stand mixer or hand mixer. Combine butter and sugars in the bowl. Beat the mixture until it becomes super fluffy and light, which takes about 3-5 minutes. The texture should look smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate mixing bowl, gather these ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Almond flour
  • Salt
  • Baking soda

Whisk everything together until well combined. Set the bowl aside for later use.

Step 3: Add Egg and Flavor Boost

Pour the egg into the butter mixture. Splash in the almond extract. Mix thoroughly, ensuring each ingredient is fully blended before moving to the next addition.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamy butter base. Mix gently, adding about half at a time. Stir just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

Step 5: Fold in Delicious Extras

Gently fold these ingredients into the dough:
  • Toasted chopped almonds
  • Dark chocolate chips
  • Dried cherries

Distribute evenly throughout the dough.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Pop the dough into the refrigerator. Let it rest and firm up for at least 30 minutes. This helps develop richer flavors and prevents spreading during baking.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 8: Shape and Bake Cookies

Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Space the cookies adequately apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the bottoms turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, these irresistible treats are ready to be devoured!

Pro Tips for Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies

  • Cream with Care: Beat butter and sugars thoroughly for 3-5 minutes to create a light, fluffy base that ensures soft, tender cookies.
  • Gentle Mixing Matters: Fold dry ingredients slowly and minimally to prevent tough, dense cookies that lose their delicate texture.
  • Chill for Success: Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes to solidify fats, intensify flavors, and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Strategic Ingredient Placement: Distribute chocolate chips, almonds, and cherries evenly throughout the dough for consistent flavor in every bite.
  • Golden Brown Perfection: Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking, aiming for edges that are golden brown while maintaining a slightly soft center.

Storing Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies

  • Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their fresh-baked texture and bring out the rich almond and chocolate flavors.

Pairing Suggestions for Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies

  • Pair with Nutty Amaretto Liqueur: Complement the almond notes in the cookies by sipping a smooth amaretto, which enhances the rich almond flavor and adds a luxurious dessert experience.
  • Match with Dark Roast Coffee: Brew a bold, dark roast coffee that cuts through the sweetness and highlights the deep chocolate and cherry undertones of the cookies.
  • Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a decadent dessert moment by pairing the warm, freshly baked cookies with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, balancing the cookie's texture and temperature.
  • Combine with Sparkling Rosé: Enjoy a light, fruity sparkling rosé that provides a crisp contrast to the rich, dense cookie, with the wine's subtle berry notes dancing alongside the dried cherries.

Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies Variations

  • Nutty Cherry Chocolate Cookies: Replace almonds with pecans or walnuts for a different crunch and rich, earthy flavor profile.
  • White Chocolate Cherry Cookies: Swap dark chocolate chips with white chocolate chunks and add a sprinkle of lemon zest for brightness.
  • Gluten-Free Almond Cherry Treats: Use gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour, maintaining the same texture and delicious taste.
  • Vegan Cherry Chocolate Bites: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use flax egg instead of regular egg, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based version.

FAQs for Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies

  • Can I use different types of chocolate in these cookies?

Yes, you can substitute dark chocolate chips with milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips based on your preference. Just ensure they’re good quality for the best flavor.

  • How long can I store these Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies?

These cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 weeks.

  • What if I don't have almond flour?

If you don’t have almond flour, you can replace it with regular all-purpose flour, but this will slightly change the texture and nutty flavor of the cookies. Consider using ground almonds as an alternative.

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours before baking. This can actually enhance the flavors and help the cookies maintain a better shape during baking.

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Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies Recipe

Cherry Almond Chocolate Delight Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Indulgent cherry almond chocolate delight cookies blend rich chocolate with sweet cherries and nutty almonds for an irresistible treat. Crisp edges and tender centers make these cookies a perfect companion to your afternoon coffee or evening dessert.


Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (113 grams) butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • ⅔ cup (133 grams) light brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup (67 grams) granulated sugar

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (30 grams) almond flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Mix-ins:

  • ⅔ cup (100 grams) almonds, toasted and chopped
  • ⅔ cup (113 grams) dark chocolate chips
  • 5 ounces (142 grams) dried cherries

Instructions

  1. Whip softened butter and sugars in a mixer until the mixture transforms into a pale, airy consistency, creating a fluffy base for the cookies.
  2. Sift together flour, almond flour, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl, ensuring a uniform dry ingredient blend.
  3. Introduce egg and almond extract into the creamed butter mixture, beating thoroughly to create a smooth, integrated wet base.
  4. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to prevent overworking the dough and maintaining a tender texture.
  5. Carefully incorporate toasted almonds, dark chocolate chips, and dried cherries, distributing them evenly throughout the cookie dough.
  6. Chill the prepared dough in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up.
  7. Heat the oven to 325°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an ideal surface for cookie formation.
  8. Scoop generous portions of chilled dough onto the lined baking sheet, leaving sufficient space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
  9. Bake the cookies until the edges turn a rich golden brown and the bottoms develop a delicate crisp, approximately 15-18 minutes.
  10. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet to set, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and texture development.

Notes

  • Creaming butter and sugars thoroughly creates a light, airy texture that ensures soft, delectable cookies.
  • Precise mixing of dry ingredients prevents clumping and guarantees even distribution of flour throughout the dough.
  • Almond extract amplifies the nutty flavor, transforming ordinary cookies into an extraordinary sensory experience.
  • Chilling the dough helps cookies maintain their shape and develop deeper, more complex flavors during baking.
  • Toasting almonds beforehand releases their natural oils, intensifying the nutty, rich undertones in each bite.
  • Golden brown edges signal perfectly baked cookies with a crisp exterior and tender, chewy center.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 55 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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