Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°.

Step 2

Cream butter and sugar well.

Step 3

Add dry pudding mix, eggs, vanilla and cherry extract and mix well.

Step 4

Then add the salt, baking soda, baking powder and flour. Mix until well combined.

Step 5

If you want your cookies to have a pinkish tint, add the red food coloring at this point and mix well.

Step 6

Fold in the chopped cherries and chocolate chips until fully combined.

Step 7

Use a cookie scoop to scoop out dough onto a prepared cookie sheet (or a silicone baking mat). Bake for 10-11 minutes - make sure not to overbake! Cool on baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.