Chocolate chip cookies are everyone’s favorite, and this cookie recipe is one that my mom, Ginger, would have loved at first bite. These delicious cookies are loaded with miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips, chocolate sprinkles, and dried sweetened cherries, making them the perfect combination of crunchy and chewy. If you’re someone who loves chocolaty cookies with lots of texture, these are the cookies for you.
In December of 2018, for Christmas Cookies Week, I shared a recipe for Chocolate Chip Vanilla Cookies. That recipe soon became one of my all-time favorite cookie recipes for more than just one reason. In the recipe post, I wrote, “At first, you might not think that these little guys are anything all that special. After all, they’re basically just a normal chocolate chip cookie. Then you’ll realize that after these bumpy, chewy, soft cookies sit for a few days, you were completely wrong in your original assumption. Because you know what? These little guys somehow manage to get even better as they sit.” And it’s true, they do somehow get better as they sit. Which makes them the perfect make-ahead cookie recipe.
Now, for the most significant reason why these cookies will always hold a special place in my heart. After posting that cookie recipe for Christmas Cookies Week, my mom, Ginger, instantly fell in absolute love with those vanilla-flavored cookies. So much so, that she probably baked about five batches of them before she passed away soon after in late February of the next year. She was, without a doubt, absolutely the biggest fan of Chocolate Chip Vanilla Cookies, and knowing that she loved one of my recipes so much, really meant the world to me. My mom and I had very different ideas on what made a good recipe and what made a bad recipe, so when we could agree on one, that was a huge thing.
So, now that you have a little bit of the backstory, that brings us to this newest cookie recipe, for these chocolate chip sprinkle cookies with dried cherries. When I bake a batch of cookies, I always break one in half when it comes out of the oven. I eat one half while it is still warm and then save the other half of the cookie for after it has completely cooled. I like to try the cookies warm right out of the oven and after they have rested to see how they taste each way. When I tried the warm cookie half, I was instantly a fan. They were chocolatey, and the cherries and sprinkles gave them a lot of chewy texture. However, after it cooled, when I finally got around to eating the other half, I pretty much broke out into tears on the spot.
Instantly, I was taken back to those previous Chocolate Chip Vanilla Cookies. All I could think of was that if my mom were still alive, she would have absolutely loved this new cookie recipe just as much as the previous one. So, in honor of my mom, I chose to name these cookies “Ginger’s Cherry Chocolate Chip Sprinkle Cookies.” And yes, I may be pretty much bawling my eyes out right now while typing this. Not having my mom around for the holiday season is always something I struggle with, because she always made Christmas so special for my brother and me throughout the years. Being able to remember her from just one little ol’ bite of cookie, well, that’s pretty special. That’s something worth cherishing.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, Cold
- 2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 2/3 Cup Light Brown Sugar, Packed
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 Cup Half and Half
- 2 Tablespoons Vanilla
- 2 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Tablespoon Corn Starch
- 2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
- 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 (10-oz.) Bag of Miniature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 Cup Chocolate Sprinkles (Additional for Garnish)
- 1 (5-oz.) Bag of Dried Sweetened Cherries, Roughly Chopped (Approximately 1 Cup)
Directions:
- In a medium saucepan, brown the butter on high heat for approximately 5 minutes. You want the butter to be a dark golden brown color, not pale, and not burnt. Place the browned butter in a large metal mixing bowl in the refrigerator until cool and slightly solidified. This should take approximately 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream the butter on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the sugars and mix for 2 minutes on medium speed.
- Add the egg, half and half, and vanilla; mix until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture on low speed; mix until just combined.
- Using a silicone spatula, slowly stir the chocolate chips, sprinkles, and chopped dried cherries into the cookie dough. Use a cookie scoop to scoop the dough onto a Silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Add a pinch of sprinkles on top of each dough ball and use the palm of your hand to lightly press the sprinkles down into the dough while slightly flattening each dough ball.
- Bake for 11 to 13 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to rest for 5 minutes before removing them to a baking rack to finish cooling completely.
Suggestions:
- When you are browning the butter, make sure to stir or whisk it constantly to prevent burning.
- I used a bag of miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips for this recipe. You can use whichever brand or variety of chocolate chips you prefer.
- Since it’s Christmas, feel free to use red, green, or white sprinkles if you have them on hand. I used chocolate sprinkles for this recipe because I prefer the taste of chocolate sprinkles to that of colored sprinkles.
- This recipe will yield approximately 4 dozen cookies.
Improvements:
- Replace the dried cherries with dried cranberries.
- Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans or almonds to the cookie dough.
- If you like these cookies, make sure to check out these Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Sundae Cookies.
- CLICK HERE to check out all of our past cookie recipes. Don’t forget to check out our Christmas cookies section.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, Cold
- 2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 2/3 Cup Light Brown Sugar, Packed
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 Cup Half and Half
- 2 Tablespoons Vanilla
- 2 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Tablespoon Corn Starch
- 2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
- 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 (10-oz.) Bag of Miniature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 Cup Chocolate Sprinkles (Additional for Garnish)
- 1 (5-oz.) Bag of Dried Sweetened Cherries, Roughly Chopped (Approximately 1 Cup)
Directions:
- In a medium saucepan, brown the butter on high heat for approximately 5 minutes. You want the butter to be a dark golden brown color, not pale, and not burnt. Place the browned butter in a large metal mixing bowl in the refrigerator until cool and slightly solidified. This should take approximately 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream the butter on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the sugars and mix for 2 minutes on medium speed.
- Add the egg, half and half, and vanilla; mix until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture on low speed; mix until just combined.
- Using a silicone spatula, slowly stir the chocolate chips, sprinkles, and chopped dried cherries into the cookie dough. Use a cookie scoop to scoop the dough onto a Silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Add a pinch of sprinkles on top of each dough ball and use the palm of your hand to lightly press the sprinkles down into the dough while slightly flattening each dough ball.
- Bake for 11 to 13 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to rest for 5 minutes before removing them to a baking rack to finish cooling completely.
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5 Christmas Cookies – 1 Batch of Cookie Dough
Reindeer Molasses Spice Cookies
Salted Honey Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and delicious holiday cookies. From classic butter cookies to iced gingerbread cookies, this list of ultimate Christmas cookie recipes has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for festive colors, unique seasonal ingredients, or just a cookie that’s super easy to make, these Christmas cookie recipes will help you find the perfect cookie for the season. CLICK HERE for the recipes.
From classic snowball cookies to jam-filled thumbprint cookies, there are endless options for creating delicious holiday treats for friends, neighbors, and family. With this 25 Days of Christmas Cookies recipe round-up, you can find the perfect recipe for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy cookie recipe to bring to a holiday party, or something more elaborate to gift to a loved one, you’ll find it right here. CLICK HERE for the recipes.
This will be the 7th year Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck has participated in this particular Christmas Cookies Week event. Below you can find links to all of the recipes we have contributed throughout the years, however, you can also CLICK HERE to find an entire list of our past cookie recipes. Don’t be afraid to let a non-traditional cookie recipe play a role in your holiday baking this year because when it comes to Christmas cookies, variety is always a good thing. Happy baking y’all.
2023
Ginger’s Cherry Chocolate Chip Sprinkle Cookies
Sparkling Sugar Irish Butter Slice & Bake Cookies
White Chocolate Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
Orange Mixed Berry Glazed Thumbprint Cookies
Cinnamon Powdered Sugar Panko Cookies
2022
Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Toffee Cookies
Chocolate Fudge Brownie Oatmeal M&M Cookies
Lemon Iced Gingerbread Cookies
2021
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies with Grape Nuts
Cappuccino Swirl Butter Cookies
Dark Rum Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cocoa Powder Cookies
Old-Fashioned Jubilee Jumbles Cookies
2020
Cinnamon Chip Holiday Spice Cake Mix Cookies
Peppermint Cream Cheese Crushed Oreo Cookies
Cran-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies with Grape Nuts
Sadie’s Double Pecan Butter Cookies
2019
Cream Cheese Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
Chocolate Hazelnut Winter Wonderland Cookies
Coconut Grinchy Christmas Breakfast Cookies
Soft Cinnamon Apple Pecan Cookies
Chocolate-Dipped Christmas Butter Cookies
2018
Chocolate Espresso Brown Sugar Cookies
White Christmas Peppermint Holiday Cookies
Chocolate Chip Vanilla Cookies
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Cereal Cookies
Whoville Christmas Wreath Sugar Cookies
2017
Crystallized Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mexican Chocolate Chip Crinkle Cookies
Make sure to check out all of the other great Christmas Cookies Week 2023 recipes below. A huge thanks to Jolene’s Recipe Journal for hosting this event.
- Yuletide Bliss Pinwheel Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Hot Cocoa Candy Cane Cake Mix Cookies by Blogghetti
- Ginger’s Cherry Chocolate Chip Sprinkle Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
- Chocolate Drizzled Ravioli Cookies by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Orange Biscochos by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Pecan Cookies by Magical Ingredients
- Baby Jesus Cookies by Our Good Life
- Maple Sugar Cookies by Palatable Pastime
- Mocha Viennese Swirls by That Recipe
- Peppermint Shortbread by The Spiffy Cookie
