**Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets**
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure easy removal of the cookies after baking.
**Cream the Butter and Sugars**
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This process incorporates air into the mixture, contributing to the cookies' tender texture.
**Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract**
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
**Combine Dry Ingredients**
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so it's important to stop once the flour is fully incorporated.
**Fold in Chocolate Chips and Chopped Cherries**
Using a spatula, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped maraschino cherries until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
**Scoop the Dough**
Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, portion out the dough and place rounded balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
**Bake the Cookies**
Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers have set. The cookies should still be slightly soft in the middle when you remove them from the oven.
**Cool the Cookies**
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up and makes them easier to handle.
**Serve and Enjoy**
Once cooled, enjoy your Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or as a sweet treat on their own.