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Cherry Garcia Cookies

It's almond, chocolate, and cherry heavy in these amazing shortbread-style cookies inspired by the famous Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavor, Cherry Garcia!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 237 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 12-ounce jar maraschino cherries drained, finely chopped, and squeezed dry, see note
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon cherry extract see note
  • 2 ¼ cups flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks or chips divided
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a large baking sheet or line with a nonstick baking mat.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, 1/2 cup of oil, sugar, and powdered sugar.
  3. Add egg, almond and cherry extracts, and mix well.
  4. In a second bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
  5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
  6. Gently stir in 1 cup of chocolate chunks and the chopped maraschino cherries.
  7. Drop tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart.
  8. Bake for 8-10 minutes until cookies look dry around the edges and edges begin to turn a lightl golden color.
  9. Cool on pan 2-3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  10. While cookies are cooling, prepare the dipping chocolate. Combine remaining 1 cup chocolate chunks and 1 teaspoon oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Stir, then return to microwave for 20 seconds at a time stirring after each until completely smooth.
  11. Dip cookies into melted chocolate and plate on wax or parchment paper to cool. (See my pro tip in the notes to speed this up!)

Notes

  • For the cherries, use a sharp knife to finely chop the cherries, then combine all of the cherry bits on top of several layers of paper towels. Wrap the paper towels around the cherry bits and squeeze the cherries to remove as much of the liquid as possible (do this over a bowl or the sink!). 
  • If you have trouble finding cherry extract, you can substitute strawberry extract or add an additional 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Without the cherry extract the cherry flavor will not be quite as prominent but the cookies are still crazy delicious!
  • After dipping your cookies in the melted chocolate it will take about 10-15 minutes for them to cool and harden if you are doing this at room temperature. To speed things up a bit, after dipping your cookies place them on a quarter-size sheet pan or flat serving platter lined with wax paper, parchment paper, or a baking mat. Pop it in the fridge or freezer for 2-3 minutes and they'll be ready to go! 
  • To take the presentation to the next level, use any leftover melted chocolate to drizzle over cooled cookies OR sprinkle with chocolate shavings or very finely chopped almonds. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 237kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 8mg (3%) Sodium 96mg (4%) Potassium 112mg (3%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 187IU (4%) Calcium 14mg (1%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 237

% Daily Value*

Calories 237kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 8mg 3%
Sodium 96mg 4%
Potassium 112mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 187IU 4%
Calcium 14mg 1%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.