Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

These Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, thick, and chewy cookies filled with chocolate chips, tart dried cherries, and crunchy slivered almonds. If you’re looking for a bakery-style cookie that’s a little different from a classic chocolate chip cookies, this easy recipe delivers the perfect sweet, tart, and nutty flavor in every bite.

This recipe has been a favorite in our kitchen for years because the cookies stay soft, bake up beautifully, and feel just a little more special than everyday chocolate chip cookies. If you love cookies with tart fruit flavors, you’ll also want to try my Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies, which have the same soft and chewy texture with a slightly different flavor twist.

Recipe Inspiration

I stumbled upon this recipe for Chocolate-Cherry-Almond cookies last summer. I have been making them ever since…religiously…like once a week…I’m addicted and I can’t help it! They are just so dang good! I’m pretty sure these cookies, along with my chocolate milk addiction, have played a major contribution to my ever growing rear end! But oh well, they taste so good I don’t care!

I like to trick myself into thinking they are healthy for you because they have almonds and cherries (or cranberries). If you’re a fan of baking with cranberries like I am, you might also enjoy my Cranberry Orange Pound Cake Mini Loaves or these buttery Cranberry Orange Scones — both are perfect for breakfast or brunch.

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Are you dying to make some with me?!? Come on…here we go!

Ingredient Notes

These cookies are made with simple pantry staples, but a few key ingredients make them extra special. The combination of dried cherries, slivered almonds, chocolate chips, and a small amount of light corn syrup creates a cookie that is soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. Below are a few notes about the ingredients that help give these cookies their signature taste and texture.

• Salted Butter – Using room temperature salted butter helps create a rich, buttery flavor and allows the cookie dough to cream properly with the sugar for a soft texture.
• Light Corn Syrup – A small amount of light corn syrup helps keep these cookies soft and chewy, preventing them from drying out.
• Dried Cherries – Dried cherries add a tart, slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the chocolate. You can also substitute dried cranberries if cherries are hard to find.
• Slivered Almonds – These add a light crunch and subtle nutty flavor that balances the sweetness of the chocolate chips.
• Chocolate Chips – Semi-sweet or a mix of milk and semi-sweet chocolate chips works best, creating pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cookies.
• Almond Extract – A little almond extract enhances the flavor of the almonds and gives these cookies their signature bakery-style taste.

Baking Tips for the Best Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Use room temperature butter and egg for a smooth, evenly mixed dough
• Don’t overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender
• Slightly underbake the cookies so the centers stay soft and chewy
• Use a cookie scoop to ensure evenly sized cookies that bake consistently

Pro Tips for Soft & Chewy Cookies

• Don’t overbake. The cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center when you remove them from the oven. They will continue to set as they cool.
• Use parchment paper. This helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents the bottoms from getting too dark.
• Let the cookies rest. Allow the cookies to sit on the baking sheet for 1 minute before transferring them to a cooling rack.
• Use room temperature ingredients. This helps the dough mix evenly and creates a smoother cookie texture.

How To Make Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a half-sheet baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, and light corn syrup until the mixture becomes fluffy and noticeably lighter in color.

Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.

 Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture and mix on low speed until the dough is fully incorporated.

 Step 5: Add the Mix-Ins

Gently stir in the slivered almonds, chocolate chips, and dried cherries until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.

 Step 6: Scoop the Cookie Dough

Using a spring-loaded ice cream scoop, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten each mound of dough.

 Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Bake for 8–10 minutes, keeping an eye on them and slightly erring on the side of underdone for soft, chewy cookies.

Step 8: Cool the Cookies

Remove the cookies from the baking sheet and place them on a cooling rack. Allow them to cool before serving.

How to Store Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

To freeze:

• Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
• Freeze cookie dough balls and bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dried cranberries instead of cherries?

Yes! Dried cranberries work beautifully in this recipe and give the cookies a slightly tart flavor. If you enjoy cranberry desserts, you may also love my Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Why is corn syrup used in the cookie dough?

Light corn syrup helps create soft, chewy cookies by retaining moisture in the dough.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes. The dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours before baking.

Printable Recipe Card

If you’re looking for soft cherry almond chocolate chip cookies with chewy centers and crisp edges, this simple recipe delivers bakery-style cookies every time.

I want to hear how many of these little suckers you chow down on! So go on, head to the kitchen, make these and come back here and tell me if you are now addicted as well! (then we’ll start a weight loss program together!) 🙂

If you love baking with tart fruit, be sure to try my Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cranberry Orange Scones next.