Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4).
Line a large baking tray with non-stick baking parchment.
Drain the glacé cherries thoroughly and pat them dry with kitchen paper. Chop them into small pieces so the cherry flavour is distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Removing excess moisture helps prevent the cookies from becoming too soft or sticky.
Step 2: Cream the Baking Spread and Sweetener
Place the reduced-fat baking spread and granulated sweetener in a mixing bowl.
Beat together for approximately 2–3 minutes until well combined and creamy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until incorporated.
The mixture may look slightly different from traditional butter-and-sugar cookie dough, which is completely normal when using reduced-fat ingredients.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the plain flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Mix gently until a soft cookie dough forms.
Avoid overmixing, as this can make the finished cookies less tender.
Step 4: Fold in the Cherries and Chocolate Chips
Add the chopped glacé cherries and dark chocolate chips.
Using a spatula, gently fold everything together until evenly distributed.
The dough should be soft but manageable.
If it feels particularly sticky, place it in the fridge for 20 minutes before shaping.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Divide the dough into 16 equal portions.
Roll each portion into a small ball and arrange them on the prepared baking tray, leaving enough space between each cookie.
Gently flatten the tops with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
These cookies may not spread as much as traditional butter-rich cookies, so shaping them before baking helps achieve a lovely rounded appearance.
Step 6: Bake Until Lightly Golden
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centres appear set.
The cookies should still feel slightly soft when removed from the oven.
Leave them on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Allow them to cool completely before adding the chocolate topping.
Step 7: Prepare the Chocolate Coating
Break the dark chocolate into small pieces and place in a heatproof bowl.
Melt gently over a saucepan of barely simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
Alternatively, microwave in short 15-second bursts, stirring between each interval.
If using the vegetable oil, stir it into the melted chocolate until smooth.
Step 8: Decorate the Cherry Cookies
Spoon a little melted chocolate over the top of each cooled cookie.
Spread gently to create a thin, even chocolate layer.
For a pretty finishing touch, place a quarter of a glacé cherry on top of each cookie while the chocolate is still soft.
Leave at room temperature until the chocolate sets, or refrigerate briefly for a firmer topping.
Your homemade lighter chocolate covered cherry cookies are ready to enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Cherry Chocolate Cookies
1. Dry the cherries properly. Glacé cherries contain moisture and syrup, so patting them dry helps prevent the dough from becoming overly sticky.
2. Choose the right baking spread. Use a reduced-fat spread specifically labelled as suitable for baking. Very low-fat spreads can contain too much water and affect the cookie texture.
3. Don’t overbake. Remove the cookies when the edges are lightly golden. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
4. Keep the chocolate layer thin. A little melted dark chocolate adds plenty of flavour without needing a thick coating.
5. Chill sticky dough. A short rest in the fridge makes the mixture easier to shape and helps the cookies hold their form.
Easy Variations
Cherry and Almond Cookies
Replace the vanilla extract with ½ tsp almond extract for a classic cherry-and-almond flavour.
White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Swap the dark chocolate topping for the same weight of white chocolate for a sweeter, creamier finish.
Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Replace 10g of the plain flour with 10g unsweetened cocoa powder for a richer chocolate biscuit.
Extra Fruity Cherry Cookies
Leave out the chocolate chips and add a little extra finely chopped glacé cherry instead. Remember that changing the ingredients will also change the nutritional values.
How to Store Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
At room temperature: Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 3 days.
In the fridge: Keep in a sealed container for up to 5 days, particularly if your kitchen is warm.
Freezing: Freeze the baked cookies without the chocolate topping for up to 2 months. Defrost completely before decorating.
For the best texture, allow refrigerated cookies to come to room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make chocolate covered cherry cookies without butter?
Yes. This recipe uses reduced-fat baking spread instead of traditional butter. Choose one suitable for baking to help maintain a soft cookie texture.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of glacé cherries?
Yes, but fresh cherries contain more moisture. Remove the stones, chop them finely and pat them dry. The texture and baking time may vary slightly.
Are these cherry cookies suitable for a calorie-controlled diet?
They can be enjoyed as part of a calorie-controlled eating plan when portions and ingredients are accounted for. Dividing the mixture into 16 equal cookies makes portioning easier.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely. Bake the cookies a day in advance and store them in an airtight container. Add the chocolate topping once they have cooled.
Why didn’t my cookies spread in the oven?
Reduced-fat baking spreads and some granulated sweeteners behave differently from traditional butter and sugar. Flattening the dough slightly before baking helps achieve a more familiar cookie shape.
Final Thoughts
These Lighter Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies are a delicious way to enjoy a homemade sweet treat with a fruity twist.
With their tender vanilla cookie base, little pieces of cherry and smooth dark chocolate topping, they look just as tempting as traditional bakery-style cookies.
They’re easy to make, ideal for sharing and especially lovely served alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee.
Whether you’re baking for the weekend, preparing a family treat or simply looking for a lighter cherry cookie recipe, these little chocolate-covered delights are well worth trying.
