Description
These Chocolate Cherry Cookies are a delightful blend of rich cocoa cookie bases topped with a luscious chocolate cherry ganache. Perfectly soft with an indulgent cherry flavor in every bite, these cookies are ideal for chocolate lovers looking for a unique twist on a classic treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chocolate Cookies
- 1 1/2 cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
- 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Cherry Ganache
- 5 oz chocolate, chopped (Endangered Species Chocolate Vibrant Cherries + Dark Chocolate recommended)
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp (90 ml) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (85 g) cherry preserves
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt until well combined. Set this flour mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on high speed to cream the softened unsalted butter with the light brown sugar and granulated white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring thorough blending for a smooth cookie texture.
- Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Incorporate the two room temperature egg yolks and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture. Mix on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns light and fluffy, enhancing the cookie’s texture and flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed just until all components are combined, taking care not to overmix which can affect the cookie’s tenderness.
- Shape and Chill the Dough: Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, portion out 32 balls of dough. Roll each portion into a ball, then immediately press the top of each with a 1/4 teaspoon to create an indent. Place the dough balls on a tray and chill them in the refrigerator for one hour to firm up, which helps maintain shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) about 15 minutes before baking. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper and arrange 8 cookies per sheet, spaced adequately for expansion.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, aiming for around 10 minutes for perfect doneness. When they come out of the oven, lightly press the centers again with a 1/4 teaspoon to restore the indents that may have softened during baking. Use a circular cookie cutter while the cookies are hot to shape them perfectly and revert them to their original size.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess.
- Prepare Chocolate Cherry Ganache: Place the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until just about to boil, then immediately pour it over the chocolate. Stir gently until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Add Cherry Preserves: Mix the cherry preserves into the melted chocolate ganache until evenly combined, creating a fruity and rich filling.
- Assemble the Cookies: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the chocolate cherry ganache into the center indent of each cooled cookie. Add more ganache if the cookies can hold it without spilling.
- Set the Ganache: Place the assembled cookies in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to allow the ganache to firm up and set properly.
- Storage: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to three days to maintain freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Be sure to use room temperature egg yolks to ensure proper emulsification and better texture in the cookies.
- Pressing the cookie centers before and after baking is key to creating the perfect indent for ganache filling.
- Chilling the dough for at least one hour helps prevent spreading and keeps the cookie shape defined.
- Use a high-quality dark chocolate with cherry flavor to enhance the ganache taste.
- Cookies are best enjoyed within three days but can be frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
