Searching for the perfect treat that captures the iconic flavor of your favorite ice cream? These Cherry Garcia Cookies deliver just that, blending sweet cherries and rich chocolate chips into a delightfully chewy, homemade cookie that’s sure to become a go-to recipe. Get ready to bake up a batch of pure joy!
Key Ingredients for Cherry Garcia Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (165g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (150g) dried cherries, roughly chopped (or fresh, pitted and halved if in season)
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch
How to Make Cherry Garcia Cookies
These Cherry Garcia Cookies are incredibly easy to whip up, making them a satisfying treat for any occasion. The balance of sweet cherries and decadent chocolate chips creates a symphony of flavors and textures, resulting in a perfectly chewy cookie with a rich, melt-in-your-mouth quality. With a preparation time of just 15 minutes and a baking time of 10-12 minutes per batch, you’ll be enjoying these delightful cookies in no time!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking for your Cherry Garcia Cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. This may take 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer, or a bit longer by hand.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed (or stirring with a spatula) until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped dried cherries. If you’re adding nuts, fold them in now as well. Distribute the mix-ins evenly throughout the dough for consistent flavor in every bite of your Cherry Garcia Cookies.
- Scoop the Dough: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) between each cookie. You can use a cookie scoop for uniform size.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the Cherry Garcia Cookies are lightly golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
- Cool Down: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This crucial step allows the cookies to firm up properly.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Garcia Cookies
You’re going to absolutely adore these Cherry Garcia Cookies, a delightful homage to the beloved ice cream flavor! The star of the show is the irresistible combination of sweet, plump dried cherries and decadent chocolate chips nestled within a perfectly chewy cookie base. This homemade version offers a fantastic cost-saving benefit compared to buying specialty cookies, allowing you to create a generous batch for a fraction of the price. The interplay of tart cherries and sweet chocolate, with the option to add nutty crunch, creates a sophisticated flavor profile that’s wonderfully satisfying.
Forget expensive store-bought treats; these Cherry Garcia Cookies are your new secret weapon for satisfying cravings and impressing guests, all while keeping your wallet happy. They’re remarkably straightforward to make, proving that gourmet flavors can be achieved right in your own kitchen with minimal fuss. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the simple joy of baking, and whip up a batch of these sensational Cherry Garcia Cookies – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
These delightful Cherry Garcia Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store wonderfully for later. For optimal freshness, store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to 3-5 days. If you plan to keep them for longer, you can freeze them. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they will keep for up to 2-3 months. To reheat or enjoy frozen cookies, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours or warm them gently in a low oven (around 250°F or 120°C) for a few minutes to bring back that just-baked texture.
Final Thoughts
These Cherry Garcia Cookies offer the ultimate taste of nostalgic ice cream bliss in every delightful bite. We encourage you to bake up this simple yet incredibly rewarding recipe and experience the joy of homemade flavor!
Cherry Garcia Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. This may take 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer, or a bit longer by hand.1 cup unsalted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed (or stirring with a spatula) until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped dried cherries. If you’re adding nuts, fold them in now as well.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup dried cherries, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) between each cookie. You can use a cookie scoop for uniform size.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the Cherry Garcia Cookies are lightly golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This crucial step allows the cookies to firm up properly.