Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies (whole grain, dairy-free)

These double chocolate cherry cookies are incredibly dark and soft, with bursts of tartness thanks to dried tart cherries!

Chewy Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies made healthier!

I was asked to participate in the National Cherry Month #GoTart Campaign as a member of the Healthy Aperture Blogger Network. I was compensated for my time but the opinions expressed are, as always, my own!

As someone who doesn’t like vegetables, I try to eat a ton of fruit and at this point of the year, I’m ridiculously tired of apples, oranges and bananas. Enter dried tart cherries! I’ve been snacking on them for the past few weeks and thought I’d throw them into some cookies to see how they did. And, well… look. I think it worked out. ;)

Chewy Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies made healthier with whole grains!

The dried tart cherries add the nicest little bursts of tartness! And as a bonus, they make these 100% whole wheat (and dairy-free!) double chocolate cookies rich in Vitamin A. I used semi-sweet chocolate but you can use dark chocolate if you like.

By the way, if you love tart cherries, try this great Moon Milk!

I prefer eating these straight from the oven when they’re warm and gooey but if you have any leftovers the day after baking, I really recommend popping them in the microwave for 10 seconds. Weirdly enough, my husband prefers them at room temperature and liked how they hardened up a little on the second and third days.

Chewy Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies made healthier with whole grains and coconut oil!

These cookies have a lot more sugar than I usually use but after trial after trial of not-so-nicely-texture double chocolate cookies, I just went with the sugar. If you want non-cakey cookies, you just have to go with it!

I think these are perfect year-round cookies. Wishing for the summer in the winter? Tart cherry cookies. Like the red theme for Valentine’s Day but don’t want to use food coloring? Make these! Have fresh tart cherries in the summer? I haven’t actually tried it but it at least sounds interesting!

Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies (100% whole grain, dairy-free)

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Rated 4.6 by 8 readers
Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies (whole grain, dairy-free)
  • Prep Time:
  • Cook Time:
  • Ready in:
  • Yield: 24 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (187 grams) whole wheat flour, whole spelt flour or white whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup (124 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 cup (168 grams) refined coconut oil1
  • 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) unrefined sugar
  • 1/4 cup (80 grams) honey
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 2/3 cup (120 grams) chocolate chips (use Enjoy Life chocolate chips for a dairy-free version)
  • 1 cup (120 grams) dried tart cherries

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven 350°F (176°C) and line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder.
  3. In a large microwave safe bowl, melt the coconut oil.
  4. To the melted coconut oil, add the sugar, honey, vanilla and eggs and stir until well combined. Let it sit for 5 minutes to let the sugar dissolve.
  5. Add the dry mix to the wet and stir until well combined.
  6. Stir in the chocolate chips and dried tart cherries.
  7. Roll into 24 1-1/4" balls and place them 2" apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  8. Press the balls down with the palm of your hand.
  9. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until the cookies appear set in the middle. Do not over bake!
  10. Let the cookies cool for two minutes on the baking sheet and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Notes

  1. You can use unrefined coconut oil if you don't mind the coconut taste.

Recipe by  | www.texanerin.com

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95 comments on “Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies (whole grain, dairy-free)” — Add one!

  • Katharina says
    December 10, 2021 @ 7:05 pm

    Hey there do you think I could replace the coconut oil with almond butter? I don’t care for the taste of coconut oil. Thanx!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Katharina
      December 10, 2021 @ 8:00 pm

      Hello! You can’t use those two interchangeably but you can use butter instead of coconut butter. Or you can use refined coconut oil, which has absolutely no coconut flavor/smell. :)

      Reply
  • Iga says
    March 5, 2020 @ 12:44 am

    Hi Erin, would I be able to make this recipe with butter instead of coconut oil? It sounds so yummy!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Iga
      April 7, 2020 @ 7:59 pm

      I’m so sorry for just now seeing your comment! It landed in spam for some weird reason. Yes, that would work fine! Sorry again.

      Reply
  • Alene says
    January 29, 2020 @ 7:25 pm

    Has anyone tried these with gluten free flour? They sound just too delicious to ignore.

    Reply
  • Jaime says
    March 7, 2014 @ 11:41 pm

    These are terrific. I made them this afternoon for my son and husband, and BOY are they a hit! The dough is yummuy too… :)

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Jaime
      March 8, 2014 @ 8:06 pm

      I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Jaime! And awesome that your son and husband liked them, too! Thanks so much for the feedback. :)

      Reply
      • Jaime replies to Erin
        March 23, 2014 @ 7:48 pm

        I made them a second time and chopped up the cherries to make sure that they were more evenly distributed in the cookies. That was my husband’s only complaint the first time around – even better!

        Reply
        • Erin replies to Jaime
          March 24, 2014 @ 12:20 pm

          Great idea! So happy that that worked better for you. I’ll try to remember that for next time! :)

    • Dayna replies to Jaime
      May 1, 2022 @ 3:05 am

      Jaime if you got the answer to if they can be gluten free, can you share with me I want to know the same thing, Thanks!

      Reply
  • Melissa @ Bless this Mess says
    February 28, 2014 @ 4:22 am

    Mmm! I love them in curry! I make a pumpkin curry with dried tart cherries in it and it is PHENOMENAL!

    Reply
  • Julianna
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    says
    February 28, 2014 @ 3:22 am

    These cookies are really making me wish I wasn’t paleo right now!!!

    Reply
  • Pam C says
    February 28, 2014 @ 1:21 am

    Muffins – great with my coffee in the mornings

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Pam C
      March 1, 2014 @ 3:37 pm

      Or lunch or dinner or whenever. ;) Love muffins!

      Reply
  • April says
    February 28, 2014 @ 12:37 am

    I love cherry cordial chocolates and cherry garcia ice cream and cherry pie… I just love cherries!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to April
      March 1, 2014 @ 3:36 pm

      Cordial chocolates?! Checking those out. Never heard of them!

      Reply
  • Marissa says
    February 28, 2014 @ 12:08 am

    Looks so delicious!

    Reply
  • Maura C. says
    February 27, 2014 @ 11:55 pm

    I love tart cherries in granola with some dark chocolate thrown in there too! Delicious on top of Greek yogurt!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Maura C.
      March 1, 2014 @ 3:36 pm

      Definitely making chocolate cherry granola soon! :)

      Reply
  • Aileen says
    February 27, 2014 @ 10:42 pm

    Tart cherries are *hands down* my favorite dried fruit to bake with because I’m a girl who can eat, like, 10 chocolate truffles in one sitting and not be overwhelmed by the richness (or the onlookers’ stares of horror). I’m all about big flavors in small packages. I usually throw dried cherries into my banana/oat/peanut butter/applesauce “healthy cookies” or use them in homemade trail mixes, but I subbed them for dried cranberries in a full-sugar cookie recipe once and nommed nommed nommed all the way home (http://armypantsandflipflops.com/2012/11/19/thanksgiving-care-package-turkey-liver-disclaimer/).

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Aileen
      March 1, 2014 @ 3:35 pm

      Haha. Same here. I hate reading recipes where the author writes stuff like, “These were so good that I ate three. They were that good.” And then I go and eat 14. Apparently I have no self control. ;) Going to go check out your post!

      Reply
  • Carisa says
    February 27, 2014 @ 10:25 pm

    These look absolutely incredible. I love the health benefits of unrefined coconut oil (plus the taste), so I plan to use that, instead. What a great blog; I look forward to many more recipes.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Carisa
      March 1, 2014 @ 3:32 pm

      Thank you! :) I hope you’ll enjoy the cookies and the other recipes!

      Reply
  • Missy Robbins says
    February 27, 2014 @ 10:09 pm

    This looks so good. Can’t wait to try!

    Reply
  • Rada says
    February 27, 2014 @ 10:06 pm

    Thanks for sharing a wholesome cookie recipe! I like to enjoy tart cherries with my morning oatmeal and yogurt. #GoTart

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Rada
      March 1, 2014 @ 3:31 pm

      You’re welcome, Rada! :)

      Reply
  • Erin R says
    February 27, 2014 @ 9:03 pm

    cherries and chocolate are the perfect combination!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Erin R
      February 27, 2014 @ 9:42 pm

      I think so too, Erin! :)

      Reply
  • Adele Forbes says
    February 27, 2014 @ 6:52 pm

    These cookies look and sound so amazing. I can’t wait to get them in the oven. Thank you so very much for sharing.

    Reply
  • Adele Forbes
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    says
    February 27, 2014 @ 6:50 pm

    These cookies look amazing…I can’t wait to get them in the oven…thank you so very much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Adele Forbes
      February 27, 2014 @ 9:42 pm

      You’re welcome! I hope you get a chance to make them. :)

      Reply
  • Karen - Cinnamon Freud says
    February 20, 2014 @ 7:33 am

    Simple and classic: cherry pie or cherry cobbler

    Reply
  • Yvonne says
    February 18, 2014 @ 8:20 am

    Hi,

    Can’t wait to try this recipe. The cookies look delicious!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Yvonne
      February 19, 2014 @ 9:02 am

      I hope you’ll enjoy them! :)

      Reply
  • Jen @ Savory Simple
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    says
    February 16, 2014 @ 7:02 pm

    These cookies look SO good. I love using dried tart cherries in salads and granola!

    Reply
  • Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
    February 16, 2014 @ 3:31 pm

    I LOVE tart cherries in cookies! I have never added them with dark chocolate…only white. I am definitely making these!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files
      February 17, 2014 @ 8:13 pm

      Ooh! I don’t think I’ve used them with white chocolate (which is silly because I love white chocolate even more than regular chocolate!) Thanks for the idea. :)

      Reply
  • Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says
    February 15, 2014 @ 6:04 pm

    WOW – these cookies are just jumping off the screen and look simply divine!!!

    Reply
  • Jenny says
    February 15, 2014 @ 2:39 am

    I like them in granola!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Jenny
      February 15, 2014 @ 4:27 pm

      I definitely need to get on a cherry chocolate granola recipe! :)

      Reply
  • Dina says
    February 14, 2014 @ 8:54 pm

    they look yummy!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Dina
      February 15, 2014 @ 4:27 pm

      Thanks, Dina! :)

      Reply
  • Teresa says
    February 14, 2014 @ 11:42 am

    JUST PURCHASED A BAG, PLANNED ON MAKING CHERRY ALMOND SCONES. GUESS I’M RETHINKING THAT. NEED DAILY DOSE OF CHOCOLATE……LOL.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Teresa
      February 15, 2014 @ 4:03 pm

      Haha. I hope you’ll like the cookies! :)

      Reply
  • Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
    February 14, 2014 @ 12:13 am

    The choco-holic in me NEEDS these right now! What a gorgeous, gooey cookie, Erin! Love your recipe.

    Reply
  • Dawne
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    says
    February 13, 2014 @ 7:42 pm

    Dried cherries on my green salads, or mixed with walnuts in chicken salad…or with anything chocolate for dessert :)

    Now to find a nice GF flour blend that works with this recipe :)

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Dawne
      February 13, 2014 @ 7:58 pm

      I need to come up with a good grain-free chocolate cookie recipe! Thanks for the idea. :)

      Reply
  • Ada ~ More Food, Please says
    February 13, 2014 @ 7:09 pm

    Yum! Chocolate cookies with cherries sound amazing! I like to use cherries when making pound cakes :D

    Reply
  • Pat Baker
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    says
    February 13, 2014 @ 4:14 pm

    Can’t wait for these to be in my mouth lol…

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Pat Baker
      February 13, 2014 @ 7:56 pm

      Haha. Well I hope it happens soon enough! :)

      Reply
  • Allison says
    February 13, 2014 @ 2:29 pm

    These look delicious! :) I enjoy cherries in my granola in the morning.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Allison
      February 13, 2014 @ 7:56 pm

      Thanks, Allison! And cherry granola sounds great. What about chocolate cherry granola?! Mmm. I think I need to make that. :)

      Reply
  • Emily says
    February 13, 2014 @ 4:55 am

    Awesome sauce! A nice way to introduce cherries to my baking!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Emily
      February 13, 2014 @ 7:47 pm

      Yup! Just toss them into anything chocolatey. Can just make things more interesting. ;)

      Reply
  • Katie @ Produce on Parade says
    February 13, 2014 @ 12:10 am

    Oh my goodness, I love tart cherries! I eat them at night with chocolate and cashews to help me sleep :)

    Reply
  • Sarah says
    February 12, 2014 @ 10:34 pm

    I made banana bread yesterday with dried cherries and chocolate chips – YUM!!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Sarah
      February 12, 2014 @ 10:36 pm

      That sounds like an awesome use for them! :)

      Reply
  • Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
    February 12, 2014 @ 10:28 pm

    These cookies look unbelievable! Seriously amazing!

    Reply
  • Chatelaine says
    February 12, 2014 @ 10:24 pm

    Ohh those cookies are right up my alley!!! I like dried cherries in nut bars too (nuts, dates and dried cherries in the food processor!!)

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Chatelaine
      February 12, 2014 @ 10:34 pm

      Whoa! That sounds amazing. Definitely need to think about trying that. :)

      Reply
  • Kayla says
    February 12, 2014 @ 10:23 pm

    Double chocolate anything is good, but mixing in cherries too? That’s pure genius! I wish I could just pick out a cookie from my screen and eat it now :)

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Kayla
      February 12, 2014 @ 10:35 pm

      Wish I could share, Kayla! :)

      Reply
  • Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
    February 12, 2014 @ 9:58 pm

    I love anything with chocolate and cherries, these cookies are just what my afternoon needs!

    Reply
  • Kelly D says
    February 12, 2014 @ 7:11 pm

    I like dried cherries in a salad.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Kelly D
      February 12, 2014 @ 10:36 pm

      Great idea! Now to only get me to like salad. ;)

      Reply
  • Christina A Bauer
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    says
    February 12, 2014 @ 5:37 pm

    I love cherries dipped in chocolate! A nice tart-sweet combo :)

    Reply
  • Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
    February 12, 2014 @ 4:33 pm

    Chocolate and cherry are so wonderful together! I love dried cherries mixed into my oatmeal (with chocolate chips and almonds, of course)

    Reply
  • Hannah says
    February 12, 2014 @ 4:29 pm

    These sound and look delicious! Why did I chose to go paleo? Just kidding. I may be making these for my nonpaleo eating family members, I am sure they will love them.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Hannah
      February 12, 2014 @ 5:32 pm

      Haha. Sorry, Hannah! I’ll have some grain-free goodies coming up soon. :) I hope your family will like the cookies!

      Reply
  • Charlotte Moore
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    says
    February 12, 2014 @ 4:10 pm

    I would love these in cookies, muffins, or a bread.

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  • Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
    February 12, 2014 @ 3:59 pm

    These look amazing, Erin! I made something similar last weekend, but faaaaar from healthy ;) Can’t wait to try your version!

    Reply
  • EllenCF
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    says
    February 12, 2014 @ 2:57 pm

    AWESOME looking cookies! Can’t wait to make for office!!!!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to EllenCF
      February 12, 2014 @ 5:22 pm

      Thank you! And I hope they’ll love them! :)

      Reply
  • Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
    February 12, 2014 @ 2:51 pm

    I am loving the ingredient list for these cookies! And you can’t go wrong with cherry and chocolate. They’d make a great Valentine’s treat this week :)

    Reply
  • Melissa says
    February 12, 2014 @ 1:54 pm

    Really excited to try this recipe. I love chocolate and cherries together

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Melissa
      February 12, 2014 @ 2:41 pm

      I hope you’ll love them, Melissa! :)

      Reply
  • Marianne Sue says
    February 12, 2014 @ 1:39 pm

    I love dried cherries mixed in with a nut blend. Throwing in some chocolate doesn’t hurt, either! :)

    Reply

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