• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Celebration Generation
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Shop
  • Gluten-Free
  • Low Carb
  • Camping
  • Spandex
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Us
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Media
  • Gluten-Free
  • Low Carb
  • Camping
  • Spandex
  • Join us on Social Media - Food

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Join us on Social Media - Costuming, Etc

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cookies & Bars

    Black Forest Cookies

    Published: Nov 19, 2022

    Note: This site is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for the site to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.

    Sharing is caring!

    • Reddit
    • Email
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Tumblr
    Jump to Recipe -

    This Chewy Black Forest Cookies recipe is a perennial favourite. These chocolate cherry cookies are pretty, tasty, easy to make, and great for holiday entertaining & gifting!

    Originally posted July 21, 2011. Updated 11/19/2022

    A plate of chewy chocolate black forest cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    SO, it’s been over a decade since I first posted this original recipe... sounds like it’s about time to update the post!

    This recipe is a variation of my chewy chocolate cookie base recipe, that you might recognize from my Chewy Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies Recipe, or Chewy Chocolate White Chip Cookies recipes.

    Later on, it inspired the creation of my chewy chocolate gluten-free cookies recipe, which I've blogged in the form of my Gluten-Free Chewy Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies.

    Loads of good stuff, here!

    Black Forest Cookies

    This recipe for soft chocolate cookies is inspired by black forest cake, as far as the cherry flavor, chocolate, and “white accent” goes. No Kirsch or whipped cream here, though!

    Instead of the layers of chocolate cake laced with cherry brandy and chocolate shavings in the original black forest dessert, these delicious cookies start with a rich chocolate cookie.

    The chewy cookies are studded with maraschino cherry bits, and topped off with a creamy white chocolate drizzle.

    Back in the day, these chocolate cherry cookies were a very popular item on my holiday cookie tray orders, as well as for gift box orders around Christmas time.

    Of course, they make their way onto pretty much every Christmas cookie platter I make for family and friends, as well.

    If you’re looking for a different special occasion to make them for, they’re also fantastic for Valentine’s Day.

    Whenever you make them, they’re sure to please the whole family, and may just end up your new favorite cookies!

    A plate of chewy chocolate cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    Holiday Cookie Recipes

    Well, with the holidays coming up, it’s probably a good time to not only update this particular recipe, but to direct your attention to some other amazing holiday cookie recipes, as well.

    After all, as great as these cookies are... a proper holiday tray should have a great selection of cookies. I love including a variety of flavours, colours, and textures.

    This is both for visual appeal, and to try to make sure that there is something there for everyone.

    Additionally, I like to recommend a few gluten-free cookies, as well.

    Just be sure to keep your gluten-free offerings separated from the gluten cookies at all times - cross contamination can happen at any time, from raw ingredients all the way through to presentation!

    So, before I get to this recipe, a few suggestions to accompany it:

    Ultimate Cowboy Cookies - This recipe is ingredients-intensive and makes a TON ... so I usually only make it around the holidays. There’s a bit of everything in these, and they’re *wildly* popular whenever I make them! Possible the best cookie recipe I’ve ever created.

    Boozy Chocolate Haystack Cookies - This is a slightly more adult version of a childhood favourite. Use certified gluten-free oats to make these gluten-free!

    Noelles - My version of a childhood favourite. Chocolate, coconut, and maraschino cherries make these a pretty - and tasty - holiday staple in our house!

    Pecan Pie Cookies - Another one of the recipes that was SUPER popular back when I catered holiday trays. These unique cookies are not only full of flavour and texture, they’re gorgeous!

    Spiced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies - A kicked up version of an old childhood favourite. I love what warm spices do with a traditional chewy oatmeal cookie.

    Peppermint Swirl Meringue Cookies - These are actually inherently gluten-free, but I included them here because they’re also a mainstream favourite. A little effort to make, but super satisfying and festive!

    Fruitcake Cookies - I may not be a fan of glaceed fruit, but those who are go WILD over these cookies. They’re laced with Jack Daniel’s, so that may have something to do with it, LOL!

    Chai Shortbread - a simple, elegant cookie with great flavour.

    A plate of chewy chocolate cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    Ingredients

    This recipe uses super simple ingredients that should be readily available in any local grocery store - if you don’t already have them in your pantry!

    You will need:

    Maraschino Cherries (AKA Cocktail Cherries)
    White Chocolate Chips
    All purpose flour
    Unsweetened cocoa powder
    Granulated Sugar
    Brown Sugar
    Unsalted butter
    Large Eggs
    Pure Vanilla Extract
    Baking Soda
    Salt

    A couple notes:

    1. Use maraschino cherries, NOT glaceed cherries or cherry pie filling.

    Neither candied cherries or cherry filling will work with this dough - one will add too much moisture, and the other won’t add enough.

    You could probably use fresh or canned cherries, but moisture is going to be a huge issue here, as well.

    Canned can be chopped, drained, and patted down like maraschino cherries are... but fresh ones will probably do better if you pit them, chop them up, and let them air out in the fridge for a day or so.

    2. If you like a lot of stuff in your cookies, you can add some Milk Chocolate Chunks or Semisweet Chocolate Chips.

    Feel free to add ½-1 cup morsels, when you add the chopped cherries.

    A plate of chewy chocolate black forest cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    How to Make Black Forest Cookies

    The full recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post. Here is a pictorial walk through with additional tips and info.

    Make the Chocolate Cherry Cookie Dough

    Heat oven to 350° F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.

    Drain your cherries, chop them up into small pieces, and then pat them down with a paper towel if needed. Set aside.

    Note: You want to be rid of any cherry juice / extra moisture, or these will spread like mad.

    In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt, set aside.

    A 2 part image showing the dry ingredients being mixed in a bowl.

    In a separate bowl (A large mixing bowl - if using an electric mixer - or in the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment), cream together sugars and softened butter.

    Note: Be sure to start out with softened butter, and whip it well before creaming in the sugars - it’ll make life a lot easier!

    Add eggs and vanilla to the butter mixture, beat until smooth.

    A 5 part image showing the butter and sugar being creamed, and the rest of the wet ingredients beaten in.

    Slowly add dry ingredients / flour mixture to the bowl of wet ingredient, mix until fully incorporated.

    A 2 part image showing the dry ingredients being mixed into the wet ingredients.

    Add chopped cherries, stir just until evenly distributed.

    Note: Check the consistency of the dough. A little moist is fine, but you don’t want it super sticky.

    If your dough is very sticky - if your cherries were too wet - you can add a bit more flour / cocoa to dry it out a bit. I like to add a 50/50 mixture of the two, as flour alone will dilute the chocolate flavour.

    If you’re in a very warm house - or your dough still feels a bit too sticky - you can chill your dough if you’d like. This will help prevent spreading.

    A close up view of a mixing bowl with chocolate cookie dough in it. The dough is generously studded with bits of maraschino cherries.

    Roll and Bake the Cherry Chocolate Cookies

    Roll dough into 1.5” balls (1-inch balls for smaller cookies), and place cookie dough balls on prepared cookie sheets, leaving 2″ between cookies.

    Flatten slightly.

    A close up view of a mixing bowl with chocolate cookie dough in it. The dough is generously studded with bits of maraschino cherries. An ice cream scoop rests in the dough.

    Note: When I first posted this recipe, I used to roll the dough balls by hand. I’ve gotten lazy and a bit more mess-averse in the ensuing years, so now I use an ice cream scoop to portion it out.

    If rolling by hand, you’ll want to flatten them *slightly* - just enough to prevent them from rolling.

    If using an ice cream scoop, just level off the dough in the scoop and plop it down on the prepared baking sheet, flat side down.

    A parchment lined baking sheet with balls of chocolate cookie dough on it. The cookie balls are visibly studded with bits of cherries throughout.

    Bake cookies for 13-15 minutes.

    Cookies will puff during baking, be soft when removed, and will flatten and set when removed from the oven.

    Be sure to not overbake the cookies - It’s better to slightly under bake them and put them back in for a minute, than to overshoot and end up with a dry, crunchy cookie.

    Note: I like to bake a small pan of the cookies for the first round, to check if the dough is a good consistency.

    If everything’s good, I’ll bake the rest of the dough as-is.

    If it’s too warm in the house, or the dough was too wet, I’ll either add a bit more flour/cocoa, or chill the dough for 30 minutes, to rein in the spread.

    Cool on cookie sheet for about 2 minutes, until cookies are set.

    A parchment lined baking sheet with freshly based chewy chocolate cookies on it. The cookies are visibly studded with bits of cherries throughout.

    Move cookies to wire rack to cool. You’re going to want to let them cool to room temperature before proceeding.

    Do the Drizzle!

    Melt white chocolate chips – I like to place them in a microwave safe small bowl and microwave them for 45 seconds at a time until almost melted, then stirring until fully melted. .

    Back in the day, I used to melt the white chocolate, transfer it to a microwaveable squeeze bottle, and squeeze out fat little snakes of white chocolate in a zig zag pattern across the cookies.

    I’d reheat the bottle as necessary - generally a pain.

    These days, I melt the chocolate and use a spoon to scatter the white chocolate across the cookies. Much quicker and easier!

    You’re going to want the white chocolate to be good and hot, but be careful not to burn it.

    As the chocolate cools, the mixture will thicken up, and it won’t scatter as well - don’t be afraid to reheat and stir as needed!

    Note: I like to cover my work surface with parchment paper, spread the cookies out, and just scatter the chocolate over them in groups.

    The parchment paper makes for easy clean up!

    A hand holds a spoon of melted white chocolate over a tray of chocolate cookies, some of which have already been drizzled with white chocolate.

    Let the Cookies Set.

    White chocolate STARTS to set up quickly - as you’ll notice when scattering it - but it takes quite a while to actually, fully set up. Give it that time!

    Once the chocolate has solidified, transfer cookies to an airtight container.

    A tray of chewy chocolate cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    Leftovers can be stored in the air tight container - or a Ziplock baggie - for a week or so.

    The cookies can be made ahead and frozen, if needed.

    I recommend freezing after baking and cooling, but before the chocolate. Allow cookies to fully defrost before drizzling with the melted white chocolate.

    A plate of chewy chocolate cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    More Chocolate Recipes

    Looking for a tasty ways to indulge your inner chocoholic? I've got you covered!

    Chocolate Dessert Ravioli
    Chocolate Fondues and Fountains
    Cookies N Cream Cake
    Creme de Menthe Nanaimo Bars
    Dark Chocolate Coffee Truffles
    Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies
    Grownup Hot Chocolate & Hot Cocoa
    Homemade Deep N' Delicious Cake
    Milk Chocolate Chai Truffles
    Peppermint Patties
    Puffed Wheat Squares

    A plate of chewy black forest cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    Share the Love!

    Before you chow down, be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you post it to Bluesky, be sure to tag us - @CelebrationGen. We're also on Pinterest, so you can save all your favourite recipes to a board!

    Also, be sure to subscribe to my free monthly email newsletter, so you never miss out on any of my nonsense. Well, the published nonsense, anyway!

    Finally, if you love this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and/or a comment below, and maybe even sharing this post on social media!

    A plate of chewy chocolate black forest cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    A plate of chewy chocolate black forest cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    4.74 from 23 votes

    Chewy Black Forest Cookies

    This Chewy Black Forest Cookies recipe is one of the earlier recipes posted to my blog, but is a perennial favourite. Great for holiday entertaining & gifting!
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Cooling Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time55 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American, Holiday
    Servings: 24 Large cookies
    Calories: 259kcal
    Author: Marie Porter

    Equipment

    • 2 Baking Sheets

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
    • ¾ cup Cocoa Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 1 ¼ cups Butter softened
    • 1 cup Granulated Sugar
    • 1 cup Brown Sugar
    • 2 Large Eggs
    • 2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract*
    • 1 cup Maraschino Cherries chopped and well drained
    • 1-2 cups White Chocolate Chips

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt, set aside.
    • Cream together sugars and softened butter. Add eggs and vanilla, beat until smooth.
    • Slowly add dry ingredient mixture, mix until fully incorporated. Add chopped cherries, stir just until evenly distributed.
    • Roll dough into 1.5” balls, and place on un-greased cookie sheets, leaving 2″ between cookies. Flatten slightly.
    • Bake for 13-15 minutes. Cookies will puff during baking, be soft when removed, and will flatten and set when removed from the oven.
    • Cool on cookie sheet for about 2 minutes, until cookies are set. Move cookies to wire rack to cool.
    • Melt white chocolate chips – I like to place them in a glass bowl and microwave them for 45 seconds at a time until almost melted, then stirring until fully melted. .
    • Use a spoon or pastry bag to drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies, allow chocolate to cool and set completely

    Notes

    * Feel free to substitute almond extract, maraschino cherry liqueur, or kirsch.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 322IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

    More Cookie Recipes!

    This recipe is great on its own, but also shines as part of a larger cookie spread. Looking for more ideas? I've got you...

    Apple Pie Cookies
    Chai Shortbread
    Chewy Chocolate White Chip Cookies
    Chocolate Haystack Cookies
    Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies
    Cookie Decorating
    Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
    Eggless Banana Oatmeal Cookies
    Fruitcake Cookies
    Hoppy Citrus Macarons
    Malted Milk Meringue Cookies
    Nightmare Before Christmas Cookies
    Noelles
    Pecan Pie Cookies
    Peppermint Swirl Meringues
    Pistachio Macarons
    Pumpkin Spice Cookies
    Spiced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
    Tropical Fruit & Rum Cookies
    Ultimate Cowboy Cookies

    Also, be sure to check our Cookies & Bars section, for more options!

    Looking for my gluten-free cookie recipes? They're now over on my gluten-free blog, Beyond Flour!

    Need gluten-free, AND sugar free? Check out my Keto Cookie Recipes over on my low carb blog, Low Carb Hoser!

    A plate of chewy chocolate black forest cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    A plate of chewy chocolate cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    A plate of chewy chocolate cookies, studded with bits of maraschino cherry and drizzled in white chocolate.

    Related posts:

    Mocha Nanaimo Bars Mocha Nanaimo Bars A plate of chewy chocolate mint chip cookies. Chocolate Mint Cookies Close up view of a plate of 3 layered bars. The bottom layer looks like a brownie, the middle is a thick pink buttercream with bits of cherry visible, and the top is a smooth chocolate ganache. Cherry Nanaimo Bars A plate of St Patrick's Day rocky road brownies topped with toasted marshmallows, pecans, chocolate chips, and green tinted icing.Rocky Road to Dublin Brownies

    More Cookies & Bars

    • A plate of eggless oatmeal banana cookies.
      Banana Oatmeal Cookies
    • A plate of St Patrick's Day rocky road brownies topped with toasted marshmallows, pecans, chocolate chips, and green tinted icing.
      Rocky Road to Dublin Brownies
    • A plate of the ultimate cowboy cookies.
      Cowboy Cookies
    • A plate of apple pie cookies.
      Apple Pie Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Davonna`

      July 21, 2011 at 7:14 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for posting this one! The Black Forest and Fruit Cake cookies are my absolute favorites of your cookies! They are AWESOME!!

      Reply
    2. Tabby Animals

      August 02, 2011 at 3:15 am

      5 stars
      Oh! This is so cute. Love the simpleness and the cherries on the cookie. It makes it more perfect because it is chewy. Yum!

      Reply
    3. Tabby Plush

      August 02, 2011 at 3:16 am

      5 stars
      Oh by the way! I also love the melted white chocolate on the top of it.

      Reply
      • Kimberly McNally-Sheppard

        December 19, 2021 at 2:41 pm

        These were awesome!

        Reply
    4. Spinet Schoenhut

      August 03, 2011 at 9:41 pm

      5 stars
      Simple but looks delicious. I can imagine the chewiness of your cookies.

      Reply
    5. Kateryna

      December 04, 2020 at 6:45 pm

      Yum, those look delicious! Something to try at home for sure.

      Reply
    4.74 from 23 votes (15 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Marie Porter


    Evil Cake Overlord, All -Around Kitchen Badass!

    More about me →


    Join us on Social Media

    Bluesky Logo - White on Blue background. Pinterest Logo - White on red background. Youtube Logo - White on red background.

    More Than Poutine: A Uniquely Canadian Cookbook.
    Learn to sew with spandex

    Most Recent Posts

    • 4 part image showing various different bagels. Overlaid text says 25 plus fantastic bagel recipes.
      Bagel Recipes
    • A sliced loaf of marbled chocolate and peanut butter banana bread.
      Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread
    • A plate of Greek Layered Dip, with Tzatziki cream cheese dip, hummus, a Greek salsa made of olives, cherry tomatoes, red onions, cucumber and fresh herbs, topped with feta.
      Greek Layered Dip
    • A chocolate bundt cake and a bag of homemade chocolate cake mix.
      Chocolate Cake Mix


    META

    Site Admin

    Logout

    Entries Feed

    Footer

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact
    • Media

    Newsletter

    • Click here to sign up for emails and updates

    Our Other Blogs

    • Beyond Flour
    • Low Carb Hoser
    • 2 Nerds in a Truck
    • Spandex Simplified
    • Marie Back on Ice
    • Autism Rants

    Note: This site is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for the site to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. While I’ll only ever link to items that I, personally, wholeheartedly recommend, I do need to put that disclosure out there!

    Copyright © 2024 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.