If you have a soft spot for the iconic Cherry Garcia ice cream, then wait until you try this Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe that brings all those luscious cherry and chocolate flavors into a chewy, delightful cookie form. Imagine biting into a cookie where tart dried cherries swirl alongside chunks of rich dark chocolate, all with a hint of vanilla and a buttery base that’s simply irresistible. These cookies are the perfect tribute to a classic treat, turning it into a hand-held, munchable delight that makes every bite feel like a celebration. Whether it’s a cozy afternoon snack or a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering, this recipe will soon find a spot in your heart (and your cookie jar!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything you need to craft these Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe beauties comes together with simplicity and care, each ingredient playing a crucial role in creating that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color you’ll adore.
- Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup, softened: The buttery base that makes your cookies tender and flavorful without overpowering.
- Granulated sugar, 1/2 cup: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps create that classic cookie texture.
- Brown sugar, 1/2 cup, packed: Introduces a hint of caramel richness and moisture to keep the cookies soft.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture to the dough.
- Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon: A simple but essential flavor booster that rounds out the other ingredients.
- All-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups: The structure-builder that ensures your cookies hold their shape and have a satisfying bite.
- Baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon: Gives the cookies a subtle lift so they’re light, not dense.
- Salt, 1/4 teaspoon: Enhances all the sweet and savory flavors while balancing the sweetness.
- Chopped dark or semi-sweet chocolate, 3/4 cup: The heart of that Cherry Garcia magic, adding melty pockets of rich chocolate goodness.
- Dried cherries, roughly chopped, 3/4 cup: Tart and chewy, the star ingredient that drives the cherry flavor home.
- Chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup (optional): Adds a delightful crunch and earthy flavor to complement the cherries and chocolate.
How to Make Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Then grab your bowl and beat the softened unsalted butter with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy—this step really sets the stage for a tender cookie that’s perfectly sweet without being cloying.
Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Once your butter and sugars are beautifully creamed, add in the large egg and vanilla extract. Beat them until everything is well combined to ensure your dough has that smooth, homogeneous texture which helps the cookies bake evenly.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix will give your cookies structure and just the right lift. Gradually add these dry ingredients into your wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined—the secret to keeping your cookies tender and not tough.
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate, Cherries, and Walnuts
Here comes the fun part! Gently fold in the chopped dark chocolate, dried cherries, and walnuts if you’re using them. Distributing these mix-ins evenly throughout the dough means every bite bursts with flavor and texture, true to the Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe spirit.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie because they like to spread just a bit while baking. Pop them in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges turn golden and the centers look set but still soft—this is what keeps the cookies chewy and mouthwatering.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This resting time allows them to firm up just enough so they’re easy to transfer to a wire rack where they can cool completely, giving you that perfect texture when you finally take a bite.
How to Serve Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to dress up your Cherry Garcia Cookies, little touches like a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate can amplify their visual appeal and add a sweet finishing touch. Fresh cherries placed on the side can also beautifully echo the rich cherry flavor inside the cookies.
Side Dishes
Pairing these cookies with a chilled glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea makes for an uplifting snack experience. For a dessert twist, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream to remix the ice cream-parlor vibes that inspired this recipe.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress friends or family? Sandwich two cookies with cherry-flavored cream cheese spread or a scoop of ice cream between them for an indulgent Cherry Garcia cookie sandwich. Wrapping individual cookies in clear bags tied with a red ribbon also makes an adorable gift idea.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These cookies stay soft and delicious when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and keep every bite as fresh as the first.
Freezing
If you want to make these Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe treats ahead of time, dough can be frozen before baking. Scoop out dough balls onto a tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, pop your cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or briefly in a preheated oven. This simple step revives softness and melts the chocolate just like fresh from the oven.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh cherries instead of dried?
While fresh cherries offer vibrant juiciness, they add extra moisture that can affect the cookie texture. Dried cherries provide concentrated flavor and chewiness without making the dough too wet, so they are recommended for this recipe.
What type of chocolate works best for Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe?
Using dark or semi-sweet chocolate chunks gives the perfect balance of bittersweet richness that pairs beautifully with tart cherries. Avoid overly sweet milk chocolate to preserve that classic cherry-chocolate harmony.
Are the walnuts necessary?
Walnuts are optional; they add a lovely crunch and a slightly nutty depth, but you can absolutely leave them out if you prefer nut-free cookies or want to highlight just the cherry and chocolate flavors.
How can I make the cookies thicker?
Refrigerating the cookie dough for about 30 minutes before baking is a great trick to prevent spreading, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies that still deliver on all the Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe goodness.
Can I double the recipe for a bigger batch?
Definitely! This recipe scales up well. Just be sure to mix ingredients thoroughly and bake batches in multiple trays if needed to avoid overcrowding your oven.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats the joy of homemade cookies, especially when they taste like an all-time favorite ice cream flavor brought to life. This Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe is a celebration of cherry and chocolate in cookie form—easy to make, delightful to eat, and perfect for sharing. So grab your ingredients, turn on your oven, and get ready to create a new classic that you and your loved ones will keep coming back to again and again.
Print
Cherry Garcia Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delightful Cherry Garcia Cookies, inspired by the iconic Ben & Jerry’s flavor, combining rich dark chocolate, tart dried cherries, and crunchy walnuts in a soft, chewy cookie base. Perfect as a sweet dessert or an anytime treat, these vegetarian-friendly cookies bake up golden and flavorful with a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup chopped dark or semi-sweet chocolate
- 3/4 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly until fully combined for added moisture and flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to distribute the leavening and seasoning evenly throughout the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and toughening the cookies.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the chopped chocolate, dried cherries, and walnuts if using, ensuring an even distribution of delicious mix-ins throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough: Using a tablespoon, scoop portions of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers appear set but still soft.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents breaking and preserves texture.
Notes
- Use high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate and tart dried cherries for the best authentic flavor experience.
- For thicker cookies, refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and chewy texture.
