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These cookies were born during a holiday baking session when I wanted something beyond the usual chocolate chip! That bright pink color and sweet cherry flavor brings back memories of those special sundaes with maraschino cherries on top. My daughter's eyes lit up when she saw them come out of the oven last weekend even the teenagers at her sleepover couldn't resist these pretty pink treats!
What Makes These Special
The secret's in those finely chopped cherries that give every bite a burst of sweetness, while the chocolate chips add the perfect rich contrast. When my neighbor tried them, she couldn't believe how soft and chewy they stayed even days later! That tiny hint of almond extract really brings out the cherry flavor it's what makes these cookies taste like they came from a fancy bakery.
Shopping List
- The Base:
- Fresh butter
- Brown sugar
- White sugar
- Large eggs
- Pure vanilla
- Almond extract
- The Mix-ins:
- Maraschino cherries
- Good chocolate chips
- Pink food gel
- Soft flour
- Fresh cornstarch
- Fine salt
Let's Bake
- Cherry Prep
- Getting those cherries really dry is key! I pat them with paper towels until they're not sticky anymore helps keep the dough just right.
- Mixing Magic
- Watching that butter and sugar get all creamy and fluffy is so satisfying. When you add the pink color, it's like making edible art!
- Cookie Formation
- Rolling these into balls is fun the dough's so soft and pretty. I love pressing extra cherries and chips on top makes them look like they're from a fancy bakery.
- Baking Beauty
- The smell while they're baking is incredible! Keep an eye on them you want the edges just barely golden to keep that pretty pink color.
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Pro Tips
Here's what I've learned: let your butter get truly soft, but not melted. Measure the flour carefully too much and they'll be dry. That cornstarch is my secret weapon makes them so tender! And don't skip drying those cherries really well excess juice can make the cookies spread too much in the oven.
Get Ready
Organization makes these cookies so much easier! I line up my ingredients assembly-line style: butter mixture, dry ingredients, then cherries and chips at the end. Having everything measured and ready means the dough comes together perfectly every time. Plus, those pretty pink ingredients look so cheerful all lined up waiting to become cookies!
Mix It Up
Don't be afraid to play around! Sometimes I'll use white chocolate chips for extra sweetness, or dark chocolate for contrast. My friend adds chopped nuts for crunch, and her kids go crazy for them. You can even skip the pink coloring they're just as tasty, though not quite as fun! Make them your own that's what baking's all about.
Sharing Joy
The best part about these cookies is how they make people smile! That bright pink color just makes everyone happy, and kids love helping decorate them with extra cherries and chips. They're perfect for Valentine's Day, baby showers, or anytime you need a little extra cheer in your day.
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Sweet Memories
These cherry chocolate chip cookies remind me why I love baking so much! There's something magical about turning simple ingredients into something that brings such joy. Whether they're packed in lunch boxes, shared at parties, or enjoyed with afternoon tea, they never fail to make the day a little more special.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why use gel food coloring instead of liquid?
Gel food coloring is more concentrated and gives a brighter pink color. Liquid food coloring would need more drops and might affect the cookie texture.
- → Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, these cookies work well with gluten-free flour. King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour is recommended for best results.
- → Why do the cherries need to be drained well?
Extra cherry juice can add too much moisture to the dough. Draining and patting them dry helps maintain the right cookie texture.
- → How do I prevent the cookies from browning?
Watch the baking time carefully and don't overbake. The cookies should be done in 10-13 minutes to keep their pink color.
- → Why is proper flour measuring important?
Too much flour makes dry cookies. Use a kitchen scale or properly fluff and spoon the flour into measuring cups for the right texture.
Conclusion
A delightful pink cookie recipe featuring the sweet combination of maraschino cherries and chocolate chips. Perfect for special occasions and easy to prepare.