Gluten-Free Chocolate-Cherry Peanut Butter Cookies

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets

Begin by positioning your oven racks to accommodate two baking sheets and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.

2. Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of smooth peanut butter, ½ cup of granulated sugar, a beaten egg, ¾ teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt. Use a sturdy wooden spoon to mix these ingredients until they form a smooth, cohesive dough. This step is crucial because it ensures the cookies will hold together and bake evenly without any flour.

3. Incorporate the Add-ins

Gently fold in ½ cup of chopped dark chocolate chunks and ½ cup of chopped dried cherries into the dough using your wooden spoon. Make sure these delicious add-ins are evenly distributed throughout the dough so that each cookie gets a fair share of chocolatey and fruity goodness.

4. Shape the Cookies

With the dough ready, scoop out portions using a 1-tablespoon measure and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

5. Decorate with Sugar Crosshatches

Dip a fork into the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar, then press it gently onto each dough ball to create a crosshatch pattern. This step is not merely decorative; it adds a delightful sweet crunch and gives your cookies the classic peanut butter cookie appearance.

6. Bake the Cookies

Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes. Remember to rotate the sheets halfway through to ensure even baking. The cookies should be golden and set, with a slightly soft center as they will firm up while cooling.

7. Cool the Cookies

Once baked, let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes on the sheets. This short rest allows them to firm up just enough to be moved. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps maintain their texture and prevents sogginess.

8. Store the Cookies

After cooling, store your cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and chewy for up to 3 days. Enjoy these delightful treats with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage!