Fudgy Black Forest Cookies Recipe: A Cherry-Chocolate Dream

Chocolate lovers rejoice as these decadent black forest cookies weave pure magic on your taste buds.

Rich cocoa and luscious cherries dance together in a delightful symphony of flavors.

Dark chocolate chunks melt seamlessly into soft, chewy dough creating irresistible bites.

Each cookie promises a delectable journey through classic German dessert inspiration.

The combination of deep chocolate and sweet cherries delivers a sensational texture that melts in your mouth.

Loaded with intense chocolate and bursting cherry notes, these cookies elevate your baking game from ordinary to extraordinary.

You’ll want to share these crowd-pleasing treats with everyone who appreciates a truly remarkable dessert experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 13

Black Forest Cookies Ingredient Essentials

• Unsalted Butter: Provides creamy richness and tender texture, choose high-quality butter for best flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture, ensures soft cookie consistency.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients and creates structure, select fresh room-temperature eggs.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie's foundational structure, sift to prevent lumps.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate depth, use Dutch-processed for smoother taste.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, ensure it's fresh for maximum leavening.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use fine-grain for even distribution.

• Maraschino Cherries: Adds vibrant fruity sweetness, drain thoroughly to prevent excess moisture.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Provides rich chocolate pockets, choose high-quality chips for melting potential.
• Extra Maraschino Cherries and Chocolate Chips: Perfect for decorative topping, creates visual appeal and extra flavor burst.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor profile, use pure extract for most authentic taste.

Tools That Help Bake Black Forest Cookies Perfectly

• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for creaming butter and mixing wet ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Baking sheets: Flat surfaces for cookie placement and even baking.
• Cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for folding in cherries and chocolate chips.
• Parchment paper (optional): Prevents cookies from sticking to baking sheets.

How to Make Black Forest Cookies

• Delightful Dough Preparation

Grab your mixing bowl and create a heavenly chocolate base by blending creamy butter with rich brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.

• Cherry Chocolate Magic

Fold in vibrant maraschino cherries and decadent chocolate chips, creating bursts of flavor that dance through the cookie dough.

• Sweet Shaping

Gently scoop dollops of the tempting mixture onto baking sheets, artfully placing extra cherries and chocolate chips on top for maximum deliciousness.

• Oven Transformation

Slide the cookie-laden sheets into a warm 350°F oven, allowing the treats to bake until edges turn perfectly crisp and centers remain wonderfully soft.

• Cooling Celebration

Let the freshly baked cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack where they’ll develop their ultimate texture and irresistible charm.

Tips to Maximize Flavor in Black Forest Cookies

• Try using fresh dark cherries or dried cherries for a different flavor profile and texture that adds depth to your cookies.
• Drizzle a small amount of cherry liqueur (kirsch) into the dough for an authentic Black Forest cake-inspired boozy twist that adults will love.
• After cooling, melt dark or white chocolate and create elegant zigzag patterns over the cookies for a bakery-style presentation that looks professionally stunning.
• Fold in chopped toasted almonds or hazelnuts to introduce a delightful crackle and complementary flavor that enhances the chocolate-cherry combination.
• Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can still enjoy these decadent chocolate-cherry treats without compromising taste or texture.

Serving Black Forest Cookies for Dessert Platters

• Cherry Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dark chocolate and drizzle elegantly over cooled cookies, creating a stunning presentation that enhances the rich flavor profile.
• Kirsch Cream Pairing: Serve alongside a small glass of kirsch liqueur or whipped cream with a hint of kirsch to complement the Black Forest cookie's classic taste elements.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: Create decadent dessert sandwiches by placing a scoop of vanilla or cherry-chocolate chip ice cream between two cookies for an indulgent treat.
• Gifting Gourmet Style: Package cookies in charming clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbons, perfect for holiday sharing or special occasion gifting with a homemade touch.

How to Store Black Forest Cookies

• Smart Cookie Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, letting the rich chocolate and cherry flavors mingle deliciously.
• Freezing Fantastic: Stack cookies between parchment paper layers in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay fresh and delectable for 3 months, ready for sudden sweet cravings.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 24 hours, allowing flavors to develop deeper complexity before baking.
• Moisture Management: Add a small slice of bread to your storage container to maintain perfect cookie softness and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.

Decadent Black Forest Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Black forest cookies merge rich chocolate with tart cherries in a delightful German-inspired treat. Chocolate lovers will savor these indulgent cookies packed with deep cocoa flavor and sweet cherry notes.

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Ingredients

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• ¾ cup (177 ml) semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for garnish
• ½ cup (118 ml) drained & finely chopped maraschino cherries, plus extra for garnish
• ¼ cup (½ stick or 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set temperature to 350°F (175°C), ensuring consistent heat distribution for perfect cookie texture.
2. Create Butter Base: Cream softened butter and brown sugar until light and airy, forming a smooth foundation for the cookie dough.
3. Blend Wet Ingredients: Whisk in egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to create a uniform, silky mixture that binds the ingredients together.
4. Combine Dry Components: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, eliminating potential clumps and ensuring even flavor distribution.
5. Form Cookie Dough: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating a rich chocolate dough, then carefully incorporate chopped maraschino cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
6. Prepare for Baking: Scoop dough onto ungreased baking sheets, strategically placing extra cherries and chocolate chips on top of each cookie mound for visual and flavor enhancement.
7. Bake to Perfection: Place in preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, watching for slightly crisp edges and a soft, tender center that promises a delightful texture.
8. Cool and Set: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, letting flavors meld and develop their full potential.

Notes

Cherries Matter: Use high-quality maraschino cherries and drain them completely to prevent excess moisture from compromising cookie texture.

Chocolate Precision: Opt for good-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips with at least 50% cocoa content for deeper, richer flavor complexity.

Temperature Control: Let butter and egg reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother dough and more consistent cookie structure.

Storage Strategy: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers to maintain softness and prevent sticking for up to 5 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg