Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Ganache Recipe

Oh, I absolutely love this Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Ganache Recipe! It’s one of those desserts that feels both luxurious and comforting at the same time. The rich, fudgy chocolate cookie paired with a luscious cherry-infused ganache filling is such a delightful combo—I swear it’s like a little chocolate-cherry party in every bite.

If you’re looking for a cookie recipe that works perfectly for special occasions, holiday gatherings, or just when you want to treat yourself and your family to something extra special, this one’s a keeper. The balance between the deep chocolate and the subtle cherry sweetness is just right, and you don’t have to be an expert baker to nail it—you’ll find it straightforward and really rewarding.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Ganache Recipe plays an important role, from the cocoa powder that gives the cookie a deep chocolate flavor to the cherry preserves that add a subtle fruitiness to the ganache. I always recommend investing in quality chocolate because it really elevates the finish.

• All-purpose flour: Spoon and level it to avoid using too much and keep cookies tender.
• Dutch-process cocoa powder: Gives a rich, mellow chocolate flavor without bitterness.
• Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft texture.
• Sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances chocolate flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming, gives cookies a rich, buttery base.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a slight caramel flavor.
• Granulated white sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a slight crispiness on the edges.
• Egg yolks: I use yolks only for extra richness and a soft cookie texture.
• Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the cookie dough.
• Chocolate (chopped): Using chocolate with cherries works beautifully here for the ganache.
• Heavy cream: Heated to melt the chocolate smoothly for a silky ganache.
• Cherry preserves: Adds the fruity cherry twist in the ganache filling.

Variations

I love that this Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Ganache Recipe is so adaptable. Over time, I’ve played around with different add-ins and tweaks depending on what I have on hand or the occasion. Feel free to personalize it—you might discover your own family favorite!

• Use dried cherries: If you don’t have cherry preserves, try finely chopped dried cherries mixed into the ganache—adds a nice chewy texture.
• Swap nuts in: Adding chopped toasted pecans or almonds to the cookie dough gives a lovely crunch.
• Make it vegan: Use dairy-free butter and cream alternatives, along with a flax egg substitute, for a plant-based twist.
• Orange zest: Incorporate a touch of orange zest into the dough for a fresh citrus zing that pairs wonderfully with chocolate and cherry.

How to Make Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Ganache Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together Your Dry Ingredients

Start by combining the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt in a medium bowl. I like to whisk them well so everything’s evenly distributed—this little step ensures uniform flavor and texture throughout your cookies. Set this aside while you work on the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars to Perfection

In a large bowl, either with an electric mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on high speed. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes and is crucial because you want a light, fluffy base for your cookies. When I first tried this step, I rushed it and noticed the cookies came out dense—so don’t skip on proper creaming!

Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Next, add the egg yolks and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix on medium speed for about 1-2 minutes until the dough turns light and fluffy. I love how the dough brightens up here, promising soft, rich cookies.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Slowly add your dry mix to the wet ingredients and blend on low speed just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, and trust me, it’s a mistake I’ve made. Stop as soon as you don’t see streaks of flour.

Step 5: Shape the Dough and Chill

Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, portion the dough into 32 equal pieces and roll each into a ball. Here’s a little trick I’ve learned: right after rolling, press each dough ball gently with a ¼ teaspoon measuring spoon to make an indent—this helps hold the ganache later. Pop the dough balls into the fridge for at least one hour. Chilling the dough makes the cookies more flavorful and prevents spreading during baking.

Step 6: Bake Your Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) about 15 minutes before baking. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper and arrange the dough balls, about eight per sheet. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes—I find that 10 minutes is perfect for a soft center with lightly crisp edges. As soon as they’re out of the oven, press the centers again with the measuring spoon; the cookies flatten a bit during baking and this brings back that neat indent we want for the ganache.

Step 7: Shape and Cool the Cookies

While the cookies are still warm, I like to take a small circular cookie cutter or biscuit cutter just bigger than the spoon indent and gently scoot it around the edges. This trims any uneven parts and keeps the cookies uniform and pretty. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack until completely cool.

Step 8: Prepare the Chocolate Cherry Ganache

Put the chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan just until it’s about to boil (watch it carefully!). Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for a minute, then stir until smooth and glossy. Finally, stir in the cherry preserves to combine. The fruity burst in this ganache is what makes these cookies so special. If you’re feeling adventurous, taste the ganache and tweak the preserves amount for more cherry punch.

Step 9: Assemble and Chill

Fill each cookie’s center indent with about 1 teaspoon of the ganache—don’t be shy to add a little more if your cookies can hold it! Place the filled cookies in the fridge to chill for 10-15 minutes, giving the ganache a chance to set beautifully.

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Ganache Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep the garnishes pretty simple. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance and a hint of extra sweetness without overpowering the rich ganache. Sometimes I’ll place a few whole dried cherries or a tiny cherry on top for an extra pop of color and fruitiness.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic alongside a cup of rich coffee, freshly brewed tea, or even a cold glass of milk. For a party, I often pair them with a charcuterie board that includes mild cheeses and nuts—an unexpected but delightful combo!

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like arranging the cookies on a pretty tiered stand with fresh cherries scattered around for seasonal charm. Another fun idea is to package individual cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon—instant homemade gift perfect for neighbors or friends!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking and filling your cookies, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. From my experience, they stay fresh and soft for up to three days—perfect for savoring a few at a time without worry.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the dough balls before to save time. After portioning and making the indents, wrap them tightly and freeze for up to two months. When ready, thaw in the fridge and bake as directed—easy and convenient! You can also freeze baked, ganache-filled cookies, but I recommend layering them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Reheating

If you want to soften chilled leftovers, let cookies sit at room temp for about 20 minutes or warm them briefly—5 to 10 seconds—in the microwave. This refreshes the ganache and gives you a melt-in-your-mouth experience all over again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Cherry Cookies with Ganache Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it blends two flavors I adore and creates something truly memorable every time. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just to treat yourself, these cookies never disappoint. I’m confident that once you try them, they’ll become one of your go-to recipes too—give it a go, and enjoy every chocolaty, cherry-filled bite!

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