There are two kinds of people in this world: Crunchy cookie people, and soft cookie people. I happen to be both, depending on the day. Today, we’re heading down the chewy soft cookie route with these indulgent Chocolate Cherry Cookies that are both delicious and healthy-ish!
And being a soft cookie person (today, anyway), I’m loving that this recipe is easy to make, adjustable to dietary needs, and perfect for a sweet treat to satisfy the best of chocolate cravings. This Chocolate Cherry Soft Cookies recipe is one that everyone will love!
Table of contents
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these Chocolate Cherry Cookies:
Flour – Feel free to use all-purpose or mix with whole wheat flour!
Cocoa Powder – This organic cocoa powder is my favorite for baking recipes. I also love this cacao powder for making this into a vegan recipe!
Butter/Coconut Oil – This recipe calls for lightly melted butter, but I’m also a big fan of coconut oil as a vegan or dairy-free option!
Brown or Regular Sugar – Using brown sugar in cookie recipes helps add moisture, giving them a softer, chewier texture! Regular sugar works great, too.
Egg – A large egg or a flax egg equivalent work great in these cookies!
Milk – I used almond milk, but regular (or any kind) is also fine.
Chocolate Chips – These dairy-free dark chocolate chips are my favorite!
Dried Cherries – I prefer dried cherries in this recipe since fresh cherries loose a lot of their flavor in the baking process. Dried cherries are also quicker and easier to work with since you don’t have to pit them!
How to make Chocolate Cherry Cookies that are soft and healthy
Here’s how to whip up these cookies in just a few minutes:
1. Mix the dry ingredients.
2. Mix the liquid ingredients.
3. Combine.
4. Mix in chocolate chips and cherries.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
6. Enjoy!
FAQ
How do I keep cookies soft?
The best way to keep cookies soft and chewy is by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature.
How to soften hard cookies?
To soften a hard cookie, simply wrap it in a paper towel and heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds (about 10-20, depending on the microwave)!
How to make soft baked cookies?
Using brown sugar, butter, and milk help give cookies that soft baked, chewy texture. This Healthy-ish Chocolate Cherry Soft Cookies recipe is perfect for guiding you through baking the best soft cookies!
What kind of cherries do I use?
The best cherries to use in cookies are dried cherries. Fresh cherries can also be used as long as they are pitted and cut into small pieces!
What I love about these Healthy Chocolate Cherry Soft Cookies
These delicious cookies are one of my current favorite treats! Here’s what’s great about them:
- They’re SO easy to make.
- Easily adaptable .
- This recipe is healthy-ish and can be made even healthier (or not, depending on your preferences)!
- Indulgent, soft, chewy, and delicious. Some of the best tasting cookies I’ve ever had!
More healthy desserts you’ll love
- Chocolate Cherry Crumble Dessert Bars
- Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
- Healthy Apple Crisp
- Healthy Rice Krispie Treats
- Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes
The best healthy cookie recipes
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Cookies
- Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- The BEST Chocolate Chip Healthy Cookie Recipe
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Chocolate Cherry Soft Cookies (Healthy-ish)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup brown or regular sugar
- 1/2 cup butter (lightly melted)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 Tbsp almond milk
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, and milk together.
- Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix.
- Mix in the chocolate chips and dried cherries.
- Using a spoon, shape the dough into cookies on a baking sheet.
- Press the spoon down on each cookie to flatten.
- Add a sprinkle of salt to each cookie (optional) and bake for about 10-12 minutes.
- Let cool and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to use regular or mix with whole wheat flour.
- A large egg or a flax egg equivalent work great in these cookies!
- Feel free to sub (or partially sub) coconut oil for butter.
- The best cherries to use in these cookies are dried cherries. Fresh cherries can also be used as long as they are pitted and cut into small pieces!
Veronika Sykorova says:
I love dried cherries, I bought them over Christmas hoping to make sth with them but never did. Can’t wait to try these and use the cherries up!
Alice says:
These cookies are DIVINE!
Marisa F. Stewart says:
I’ve yet to meet a cookie I didn’t like. That being said, I’m glad these are healthy-ish because I’ve already eaten several cookies. They are delicious and my kiddos wouldn’t stop asking for one more cookie. I like the cherries with the chocolate cookies. This is going to be a go-to recipe at our house.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says:
Oh my! My hubby would love these cookies! He loves chocolate and cherries together! Adding all the ingredients to my shopping list tomorrow. These look uber soft and just decadent!
Tammy says:
I’m all for a guilt-free sweet treat and these cookies are sure to hit the spot. They look soft and delicious…I cannot wait to bake up a batch this weekend 😀
Colleen says:
Chocolate & cherries are the best combo. I know these cookies are going to be a hit this weekend!
Amanda Dixon says:
We loved these cookies! I’m such a sucker for chocolate and cherry together, and these were great. They had that perfect soft and chewy texture we love.
Bernice Hill says:
ooh, I think I fall into the ‘softie’ category, especially when it comes to chocolate and cherries. Love that salty finish too!
Addison says:
These cookies are fabulous!
Julia says:
Ooh, I’m honestly so excited for cherry season to come (I’m always so upset during the winters when I can’t have any). Definitely going to try to go cherry picking if I can and these will definitely be on the list.
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says:
I must say there are very few cookies I don’t like…I like soft, crunchy, right out of the oven, healthy ones…I’m equal opportunity when it comes to my cookies! No burnt ones though. LOL
How would I spend $700 at Amazon? That’s a tough one since I shop there nonstop! My kids would probably find a way to spend it very quickly! Hehe. Probably I’d buy some pet food with part of it…with 4 cats and 3 dogs we go through a ton of pet food and I buy most of it through Amazon. I’d find something good to spend it on too though!! A girl needs a treat once in a while!
Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe with us at #FoodieFriDIY…sending some foodie love your way!
Christine McMichael replied:
Haha, that’s so good, Michelle! Hey, at the end of the day, all cookies are amazing! Haha I understand, and I agree! Of course, love #FoodieFriDIY! 🙂
rachel @ athletic avocado says:
chocolate and cherries is one of the best combos ever! These cookies look amazing 🙂
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Rachel! I agree, love that together! 🙂
Kuhiwa says:
Looks delicious! I have a friend I may have to make this for this weekend with some gluten free flour. 🙂
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Kuhiwa! I haven’t made them with gluten free flour, but you may try adding a little bit of milk (like 2 Tbsp) to the mix if you use that type of flour since it’s a little bit drier. Let me know how they turn out! 🙂
Jessica says:
I’ve never thought of putting cherries in my chocolate chip cookies, but it’s such a great idea! Love the photos too.
Christine McMichael replied:
It’s the BEST! 🙂 Thank you so much, Jessica!
Natasha @ Salt and Lavender says:
I was going to say that I’m totally a soft cookie person until you threw in the third kind – cookie dough. I’m definitely a cookie dough lover. I don’t make cookies often at all, but when I do – watch out. I used to buy frozen tubs of cookie dough and the cookies would never get baked 🙂 Cookie dough ice cream is my favorite, naturally.
Christine McMichael replied:
Haha, I know a lot of people who are the cookie dough type of person! That’s so funny 😉 Of course, it’s just the best!