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Our Love Language is Food > Recipes > Desserts

Published: Feb 11, 2022 · Modified: Aug 12, 2023 by Meredith · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

Chocolate Cherry Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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This cherry chocolate crinkle cookies recipe is the perfect cookie recipe for anyone who loves the combination of cherry and chocolate! These adorable red and white cookies are super chewy. A great addition to your Valentine’s Day, 4th of July, or Christmas treat rotation!

white plate full of red and white chocolate cherry crinkle cookies set on a red and white checkered linen.

I love trying new cookies recipes with my mom, especially around the holidays! These cherry chocolate cookies quickly became one of our new favorite cookies for Christmas. We’ve been making these every year since our first trial-run on these, with the recipe adapted from that cookie trial we did a handful of years ago.

These stunning red cherry chocolate crinkle cookies are beautiful paired with White Chocolate Cranberry Oat Cookies, Death by Chocolate Cookies, and Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies on a holiday cookie tray!

In addition to being a lovely holiday cookie, the vivid red makes these an adorable option for Valentine’s Day or a fun option for 4th of July (especially when put on a tray with these cute red, white, and blue m&m cookies with sprinkles) too!

This cherry chocolate cookie recipe is also a bit of a homage to many of the men in my life. Both of my grandpas loved cherry chocolate. One had a cherry chocolate cake for his birthday every year, the other loved chocolate dipped cherries. And my husband loves everything cherry chocolate too, which began with a love for Bordeaux cherry ice cream growing up!

You’ll Love these Chocolate Cherry Cookies!

They’re unique! Chocolate crinkle cookies are a popular holiday cookie. But these cherry chocolate crinkle cookies kick things up a notch! Their vibrant red coloring is gorgeous. The cherry adds an unexpected twist to a classic cookie. They definitely have that “wow” factor.

A festive option for several holidays. While cherry chocolate is a great flavor combination anytime of year, the bright red coloring of these cookies make them extra fun for Valentines Day, 4th of July, and Christmas!

Easy to make. You know I love easy recipes, and this one is both easy and impressive! A great recipe for newer bakers and well-versed bakers alike!

Awesome flavor! Cherry and chocolate goodness in every bite.

Cherry Chocolate Cookie Ingredients

ingredients needed to make cherry chocolate crinkle cookies.
  • Dried Cherries: I like to use tart dried cherries (vs. sweet dried cherries) in this recipe. I find that they balance perfectly with the sweetness of the cookie. However, either type of dried cherry will work.
  • Chocolate: Roughly chopping semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks helps distribute the chocolate throughout your dough so you get pops of chocolate in every bite.
  • Granulated sugar AND powdered sugar for rolling: Rolling your cookie dough in granulated sugar before rolling it in powdered sugar creates THE BEST crinkle cookies. The double layer helps your cookie get that characteristic crackled top. And the layer of granulated sugar helps to create a deliciously crispy exterior while helping to hold in moisture during the baking process to maintain a chewy interior.
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Large Egg
  • Almond Extract
  • Red Food Coloring
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • Unsalted Butter

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Using Room Temperature Eggs

Using room temperature eggs is often suggested for baking because the eggs will incorporate into the softened butter easier. This results in a smooth, uniform batter. If you’re setting your eggs out on the counter to bring them up to room temperature, the standard rule of thumb is to set them out for at least 30 minutes prior to using them.

How to Make Chocolate Cherry Cookies

close up of a paddle attachment in a stand mixer mixing the bright red dough together.

In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

Beat in the remaining wet ingredients (the egg, jam, vanilla extract, almond extract, and red food coloring).

Gradually add the the dry ingredients (the flour, baking powder, and salt) to the large mixing bowl with the wet ingredients and mix until well combined and a dough is formed.

a glass mixing bowl filled with bright red dough and chopped pieces of chocolate ready to be mixed in. the mixing bowl sits in the base of a red stand mixer and a red and white checkered linen is in the background.

Stir in the chocolate and chopped cherries until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Cover bowl with plastic-wrap and place into the refrigerator to chill. Chill the dough for these cherry chocolate chip cookies for at least 30 minutes. This will make rolling and dipping the dough balls easier. The dough can also be chilled overnight if that is best for your schedule.

baking sheet lined with parchment paper and filled with freshly rolled chocolate cherry crinkle cookie dough balls. bowls of granulated sugar and powdered sugar peak into the picture showing what the dough balls are rolled in. the mixing bowl of bright red dough sits in the background.

Preheat the oven to 375°F, and line cookie sheets with parchment paper for best results and set aside.

Scoop dough into 1 tablespoon-sized portions (I use a small cookie scoop to do this) and roll into a ball. Dip each ball first into granulated sugar to coat, and then into powdered sugar to coat. Shake off any excess powdered sugar.

Place dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 13-15 minutes, until cracked and just dry on top.

wire cooling rack filled with warm chocolate cherry crinkle cookies.

Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Cherry Cookie Variations

  • Try a different type of chocolate. While the recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate or even white chocolate could be a fun swap in this recipe! Using a high-quality chip, chunk, or even a baking bar will result in the best cookies.
  • Skip the food coloring. Don’t have food coloring in your pantry (or prefer not to use this ingredient)? No worries! You can skip it. However, doing so will result in a less vibrant, pink crinkle cookie.

Possible Dietary Restrictions?

This crinkle cookie recipe is vegetarian as written. One small modification is needed to turn this into a gluten-free cookie recipe: 

  • To make this into a gluten free crinkle cookie recipe, replace the all-purpose flour called for in the recipe with a one-to-one gluten free flour alternative. Note: I have not done this myself, but have used this one-to-one gluten free flour alternative successfully in other bakes.

Expert Tips

Do not over bake your cherry chocolate crinkle cookies. These cookies are at their best when they are JUST baked and chewy. If your cookies have “cracked” and the top looks dry (not super shiny), give them a little poke. If the cookies don’t sink in a lot, they are ready to come out.

Use a cookie scoop to get all of your cookies to be the same size. While not a necessity, a cookie scoop is a super helpful tool that I use a lot in my kitchen. This small cookie scoop is the perfect size for these chocolate cherry cookies.

Midwest chilling tip: embrace and use the cold winter weather! If you live in a place that is cold when you make this soft chocolate cookie recipe, you can chill your dough outside! Find a flat surface, ensure your dough is covered well, and let mother nature chill your dough for you.

white plate full of red and white chocolate cherry crinkle cookies set on a red and white checkered linen. Blurred in the background you can see a wire cooling rack with additional cookies.

Storing Cherry Crinkle Cookies

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing Crinkle Cookies

Crinkle cookies can be frozen before or after baking.

How to Freeze Before Baking

Chill the cookie dough as directed in the recipe card. After the dough has been chilled, scoop and roll the dough into balls and chill them again in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Once the cookie dough balls are cold and solid, place them into a large freezer bag.

Freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. When it’s time to bake the cookies, remove the dough balls from the freezer and thaw on the counter for at least 30 minutes. Then roll in granulated sugar and powdered sugar as instructed in the recipe. Bake as directed.

How to Freeze After Baking

Ensure cookies are completely cool prior to freezing. Store baked cookies in large freezer bags or an air-tight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Separate layers of cookies with parchment paper (this helps prevent them from sticking together). When ready to enjoy, thaw cookies in the refrigerator or on the counter at room temperature.

Recipe FAQs

Is it a crinkle cookie or a crackle cookie?

It can be called either! What you call it may depend on where you grew up. Whether you call it a crinkle cookie or a crackle cookie, the characteristic cracked top with powdered sugar is what is being referenced.

How do you get your cookies to get that cracked, crinkle top?

Coating your cookie dough in granulated sugar prior to coating it with powdered sugar helps ensure your crinkle cookies get that characteristic cracking on top. The double coat of sugars helps keep the interior of the cookie moist longer than the outside of the cookie, prompting the top to crack while the cookie rises during the baking process.

Why are my crinkle cookies not crinkling?

This can occur for a few reasons. Your oven may not be hot enough, or the leavening agent used (in this case, baking powder) has expired.

Do I have to use the red food coloring?

No, but your cookies will be a less vibrant pink instead of a brighter red. Still cute and delicious.

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Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & comment below! You can also tag @ourlovelanguageisfood on Instagram & Facebook. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get free recipes sent directly to your inbox!

white plate full of red and white cherry chocolate crinkle cookies set on a red and white checkered linen.

Cherry Chocolate Cookie Recipe

Meredith
This cherry chocolate crinkle cookies recipe is perfect for anyone who loves the combination of cherry and chocolate! These adorable red and white cookies are super chewy. A great addition to your Valentine’s Day, 4th of July, or Christmas treat rotation!
5 from 17 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Inactive Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 30 Cookies
Calories 139 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ C unsalted butter
  • ¾ C granulated sugar (for the dough)
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅓ C cherry jam or preserves
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon red food coloring
  • ¾ C semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks, roughly chopped
  • ½ C dried cherries, roughly chopped
  • 1 + ¾ C all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ C granulated sugar (for rolling)
  • ½ C powdered Sugar aka confectioners’ sugar (for rolling)

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream together the butter and granulated sugar (*portion in the recipe card denoted "for the dough") until light and fluffy
  • Beat in the egg, jam, vanilla extract, almond extract, and red food coloring
  • Gradually add in the the dry ingredients, flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined and a dough is formed
  • Stir in the chocolate and dried cherries until evenly distributed throughout the dough
  • Cover bowl with plastic-wrap and place into the refrigerator to chill
  • Chill the dough for these cherry chocolate chip cookies for at least 30 minutes. The dough can also be chilled overnight if that is best for your schedule
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F, and line cookie sheets with parchment paper
  • Scoop dough into 1 tablespoon-sized portions and roll into a ball. Dip each ball first into granulated sugar to coat, and then into powdered sugar to coat (*portion of sugars in the recipe card denoted "for rolling"). Shake off any excess powdered sugar
  • Place dough balls 2 inches apart on the lined baking sheets
  • Bake for 13-15 minutes, until cracked and just dry on top*
  • Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Enjoy!
  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.

Notes

Do not over bake your cherry chocolate crinkle cookies. These cookies are best when they are JUST baked and chewy. If your cookies have “cracked” and the top looks dry (not super shiny), give them a little poke. If the cookies don’t sink in a lot, they are ready to come out.
Time Note: You’ll need about 1 hour and 45 minutes to make these chocolate cherry crinkle cookies. This includes prep time, a 30-minute chill-time, and baking your chocolate cookies 1 tray at a time.
Baking multiple trays of cookies at a time? Be sure to rotate the trays between racks halfway through baking.
Storage options:
  • Baked and cooled cookies can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
  • Cherry chocolate crinkle cookies can be frozen before or after baking. See “How to Freeze Crinkle Cookies” section of the blog post for detailed instructions.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 35mgPotassium: 40mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 176IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Recipe adapted from Food Network’s Christmas Baking Magazine, published December 2020

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    5 from 17 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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  1. April says

    January 18, 2025 at 2:17 pm

    I love making cookies, but i tend to work best if i can prep the dough, right up until the baking process one day, fridge them for the night, and bake them off the next day.

    Could i do that with these? as in get them rolled in the sugars, fridge them overnight, then bake them the next day?

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      January 20, 2025 at 9:29 am

      Hi April – this is a great question! I’ve never done this personally, but see the appeal of getting them all ready to bake off the next day. Doing some quick research, it appears this SHOULD work just fine. My initial concern is that the sugar may begin to absorb into the cookie (which may affect the crinkle), but it sounds like chilling in the fridge after dipping may actually help the sugars to ‘solidify’ for a nice crinkle!! Please let me know if you give this a try, I’d love to see how they turn out! Happy baking 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jen says

    July 28, 2023 at 7:20 pm

    To double the recipe it says 2 + 1/4 cup of sugar. The directions say to cream 3/4c of sugar with the butter. Actually it says 3/4c for the 1x and 3x also.
    I’m assuming that’s an error in the directions?

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      July 29, 2023 at 3:19 pm

      Hi Jen, Thank you for letting me know the recipe card wasn’t calculating as it should. I’ve actually updated the recipe card to read easier. As you 2x or 3x the recipe, it is supposed to auto-calculate but it obviously wasn’t do that correctly. I’ve re-written how the sugar is listed in the recipe card and in the directions so you should be able to 2x or 3x to your hearts content without confusion now.

      Reply
  3. Samantha says

    February 21, 2023 at 1:35 pm

    5 stars
    I was looking for a great chocolate and cherry cookie. I found it here. I could not help myself, I had to add some cocoa powder as I love the chocolate version.
    The granulated sugar then powdered sugar steps really worked well.
    Thank you so much for trying and posting this!

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      February 22, 2023 at 8:22 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that you loved these chocolate cherry cookies too Samantha!! Thanks for giving the recipe a try!

      Reply
  4. David says

    November 04, 2022 at 11:08 pm

    5 stars
    I’m the husband mentioned above. Can confirm these cookies are dope AF.

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      November 06, 2022 at 9:10 pm

      Thanks dear ❤

      Reply
  5. Kathy M says

    June 20, 2022 at 11:04 am

    5 stars
    The only downside to this cookie recipe is that from now on, every single other cookie you ever eat won’t measure up to this one. This might be my all-time favorite cookie, no joke.

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      June 20, 2022 at 11:17 am

      oh my goodness, I’m so glad to hear this is your new favorite!!

      Reply
  6. Luci says

    May 12, 2022 at 7:02 pm

    5 stars
    I was just in Michigan…several places around Lake Michigan are famous for their cherries and cherry jam. Those items are perfect for this cookie…unique flavor and they are so pretty…pink! Sure to be hit at your next cookie exchange.

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      May 12, 2022 at 9:56 pm

      How fun!! Michigan cherries are wonderful, and I’m sure perfect for these too. So glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Meredith!

I am a Midwest-based foodie and mom working full time by day and sharing my passion for all things food by night. Follow along for great recipes to share with your family and friends. I've got you covered for breakfast, dinner, snack-time, parties, desserts, drinks, and more!

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