Prepare the Dough

1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure that the baking soda is evenly distributed and your cookies rise perfectly.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. The mixture should look smooth and creamy.
5. Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or the cookies might turn out tough.
6. Add Chocolate and Cherries: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped cherries, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

2. Scoop the Dough

1. Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Space each cookie about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread.
2. Shape the Cookies: If you like, you can gently press down on the dough balls to help them spread evenly while baking, but the dough will naturally flatten as it bakes.

3. Bake the Cookies

1. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center looks set. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so be careful not to overbake.
2. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.