If you love the classic Black Forest cake, imagine all those luxurious flavors transformed into a soft, gooey cookie. Black Forest Cookies are rich, chocolatey, indulgent, and beautifully studded with cherries—everything a dessert lover dreams of. Perfect for holiday baking, weekend treats, or gifting, these cookies deliver bakery-level flavor right from your home kitchen.

In this guide, you’ll find the complete recipe, detailed instructions, expert tips, and full SEO-optimized content to help your article rank high and engage your readers.

What Are Black Forest Cookies?

Black Forest Cookies are inspired by the famous German Black Forest cake: a combination of deep chocolate flavor, sweet cherries, and sometimes a hint of kirsch (cherry liqueur).
This recipe transforms the classic cake into soft, chewy cookies packed with:

• Rich cocoa powder

• Melted dark chocolate

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips

• Sweet-tart cherries (fresh, dried, or frozen)

• Optional almond extract or kirsch for depth

The result? A gourmet-style cookie that tastes like a cross between brownies and cherry chocolate truffles.

Why You’ll Love These Black Forest Cookies

• Intensely chocolatey with a fudgy texture

• Bursting with real cherry pieces

• Easy to make in one bowl

• Perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or bake sales

• Elegant yet simple enough for beginners

• Freezes beautifully

This dessert is a must-try for anyone who loves chocolate, cherries, or the iconic Black Forest flavor combination.

Ingredients for Black Forest Cookies

Here is the full list of ingredients you’ll need to make the best Black Forest Cookies.

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour

• ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ teaspoon baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar

• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed

• 1 large egg, room temperature

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional but highly recommended)

Chocolate & Cherry Add-ins

• 1 cup (170 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks

• ⅓ cup (60 g) dark chocolate, melted

• 1 cup cherries, chopped

  • You may use:

    • Fresh cherries (pitted)

    • Frozen cherries (thawed & drained)

    • Dried cherries (no sugar added preferred)

Optional Ingredients for Authentic Flavor

• 1 tablespoon kirsch (cherry liqueur)

• ¼ cup white chocolate chips for contrast

Required Kitchen Tools

To make these Black Forest Cookies, prepare:

• 1 large mixing bowl

• 1 medium bowl

• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer

• Silicone spatula

• Baking sheets

• Parchment paper

• Cooling rack

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Small heatproof bowl for melting chocolate

Simple tools—but the result is extraordinary!

How to Make Black Forest Cookies (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps carefully to get perfect bakery-style cookies every time.

STEP 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

• All-purpose flour

• Cocoa powder

• Baking soda

• Baking powder

• Salt

Mix until fully combined to prevent any lumps and ensure even distribution of the cocoa.

STEP 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl:

1. Add softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.

2. Beat for 2–3 minutes until light and creamy.

3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (optional).

4. Beat again until smooth.

This step creates the base of your cookie texture—soft, fudgy, and rich.

STEP 3: Add the Melted Dark Chocolate

Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl using 20–30 second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Pour the melted chocolate into the butter mixture and beat until fully incorporated.

This creates the signature dark and intense chocolate flavor of Black Forest Cookies.

STEP 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture gradually.

Use a spatula to fold the dough gently—do not overmix or the cookies may become dense.

STEP 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Cherries

Add:

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips

• Chopped cherries

• Optional white chocolate chips or kirsch

Fold them in gently.

If your cherries are very juicy, pat them dry with a paper towel before mixing to avoid excess moisture.

STEP 6: Chill the Dough

Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 1 hour.

Why chilling is important:

• Prevents cookies from spreading too much

• Enhances chocolate flavor

• Allows cherries to release less liquid during baking

If you’re in a hurry:
→ Freeze for 20 minutes.

STEP 7: Shape and Bake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

3. Scoop 1–2 tablespoon portions of dough and shape into balls.

4. Place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.

5. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is still soft.

Do not overbake.
Black Forest Cookies taste best when slightly soft and fudgy.

STEP 8: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on the tray for 10 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Top with extra chocolate chips or a drizzle of melted chocolate for an elegant finish.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some creative ways to elevate your Black Forest Cookies:

1. With Ice Cream

Serve warm cookies with:

• Vanilla ice cream

• Cherry gelato

• Chocolate ice cream

2. Holiday Dessert Platter

Combine these cookies with:

• Chocolate truffles

• Shortbread

• Red velvet cookies

3. Valentine’s Day Treat

Drizzle white chocolate and top with a cherry.

4. Gift-Wrapped Goodies

Package in a clear bag with a ribbon—perfect for:

• Christmas

• Teachers

• Neighbors

• Coworkers

Helpful Tips for Perfect Black Forest Cookies

Use high-quality cocoa

Your cocoa powder dramatically affects the flavor. Choose Dutch-processed for deeper chocolate flavor.

Do not skip chilling

Especially when using frozen or fresh cherries.

Dry the cherries well

This prevents cookies from becoming too wet.

Do not overmix

Overmixing makes cookies tough; fold gently.

Underdone is better

Cookies continue baking from residual heat—soft centers are ideal.

Add white chocolate for contrast

It brightens the flavor and gives a gorgeous bakery look.

Freeze the dough

Great for quick cookies any time. Freeze up to 3 months.

Approximate Nutritional Information (per cookie)

Based on an average batch of 18 cookies.

• Calories: ~170

• Carbohydrates: 22 g

• Protein: 2 g

• Fat: 8 g

• Saturated Fat: 5 g

• Sugar: 15 g

• Fiber: 2 g

Values vary depending on cherry type and chocolate used.

How to Store Black Forest Cookies

Room Temperature

• Store in an airtight container

• Lasts 3–4 days

Refrigerator

• Stays fresh up to 1 week

Freezer

• Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months

• Freeze cookie dough balls for 3–4 months

To Reheat

Microwave for 10–12 seconds for a soft, gooey texture.

Conclusion: Why You Must Try Black Forest Cookies

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s rich, elegant, and unforgettable, Black Forest Cookies are a must-bake. They combine the indulgence of chocolate, the freshness of cherries, and the classic charm of the German Black Forest cake—all in a soft, fudgy cookie.