Black Forest Cookies
You’ve heard of black forest cake? Now try easy Black Forest Cookies. All of the rich and delicious flavors of the cake in cookie form, perfect for gifting during the holidays and enjoying any time of year.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
A black forest cake, while delicious, is truly a labor of love. These delicious cookies are a nice alternative. My youngest son said these are the best cookies I’ve ever made. It was immediately one of his favorite cookie recipes along with my Andes mint cookies. I think it was the cherry flavor that put this cookie over the top. This recipe was given to me by a good friend many years ago but I recently made it again while my kids were home over the summer.
- These soft chocolate cookies are crunchy on the outside.
- The maraschinio cherry to white chocolate chips ratio in these chocolate cherry cookies is perfect.
- They are big bakery-style cookies.
What is a Black Forest dessert?
A Black Forest cake combines chocolate and cherry flavor in a layer cake. The layers are usually brushed with a cherry syrup or Kirsch (cherry brandy) but not always, layered with whipped cream (fresh is best) and filled and topped with cherries. Many believe the Black Forest cake to have originated in Germany, however it’s hard to find conclusive evidence it did.
What do I need to make Black Forest Cookies?
Scroll to the recipe card below for a printable recipe with all of the measurements and instructions.
- All Purpose Flour
- Cocoa Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Unsalted Butter
- Large Egg
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Maraschino Cherries
- White Chocolate Chips
Equipment
- Mixer
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Cookie Sheets
- Silicone Baking Mats or Parchment Paper
- Oven Mitts
- Cooling Racks
- Cookie Scoop
How do you serve cherry chocolate cookies?
Who doesn’t love some chocolate cookies on a Christmas cookie platter? Include them with other selections such as holiday coins, cinnamon spice cookies, or butterscotch pecan cookies. But wait! Black Forest cookies aren’t just for Christmas. Serve them for Valentine’s Day or other special occasions.
Tips and Suggestions
- Be sure the dough has chilled for at least one hour. You can even refrigerate it overnight if necessary then bake cookies the next day.
- Maraschino cherries are very wet. Be sure to pat them dry before adding them to the cookie dough.
- I used a 1.5 tablespoon, a large cookie scoop so I would have a big cookie. If you use a smaller scoop you will get more cookies. I got about 20.
- These black forest cookies are moist so be sure to cool them completely on a wire rack before storing them in an airtight container.
More Black Forest dessert recipes
If you enjoy black forest desserts try a Black Forest Bundt cake and Black Forest ice cream.
More cherry recipes
If cherry is your jam, try cherry almond bars, cherry pie bars, or cherry shortbread.
Can you freeze Black Forest cookies?
Yes! Rolled cookie dough balls can be frozen for up to 3 months. To bake, place on prepared baking sheets and add a minute or two to the bake time. Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Can I use fresh cherries in Black Forest cookies?
Yes, pit and chop fresh cherries when they are in season. Once the cherries are chopped, blot them to remove any moisture.
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Black Forest Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- Mixer
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Cookie Sheets
- Cooling Racks
- cookie scoop
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups Flour
- 6 tablespoons Cocoa Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Butter
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Maraschino Cherries, chopped and blotted dry
- ¾ cup White Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.1¼ cups Flour, 6 tablespoons Cocoa Powder, ½ teaspoon Baking Soda, ½ teaspoon Salt
- Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar on medium to medium-high speed until light in color and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.½ cup Butter, 1 cup Sugar
- Add the egg and vanilla and then mix on medium speed until everything is combined.1 Large Egg, 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and beat until combined. You don't want any flour streaks. Add the blotted chopped cherries and white chocolate chips and mix on medium-low.1 cup Maraschino Cherries, chopped and blotted dry, ¾ cup White Chocolate Chips
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
- When you are ready to bake the cookies, line cookie sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Using a cookie scoop, I used a #40, which is about 1½ tablespoons, scoop the cookie dough and roll it into balls. Place them at least 2-inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 13 to 15 minutes until the edges and center are set. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the cookie sheet for 4 – 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Meet Ellen
Recipe Creator ~ Food Writer ~ Food Photographer
Hi, I’m Ellen and welcome to Family Around the Table where I share recipes the whole family will enjoy. They are also easy to make. With 20 years of experience in food writing and recipe creation, you will surely find something for everyone. Read more by clicking About Ellen below.
Favorite Recipe: Almond Crusted Chicken
Favorite Cookie: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut
Favorite Cocktail: Frozen Strawberry Margarita
Favorite Dessert: Hershey Bar Pie
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