In a large mixing bowl and using a wire whisk, cream the softened butter, vanilla extract and caster sugar
Whisk in the egg until completely mixed in
Sift over the flour and bicarbonate of soda, Fold in using a spatula or wooden spoon until fully combined
Stir in the chopped chocolate and cherries
Cover and chill the dough in the fridge for about an hour
Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/ Gas mark 3
Grease & line a large baking sheet with baking parchment
Scoop out about a dessert spoon of the cold dough at a time, roll it between your palms to form a ball
Put the ball on the prepared baking sheet (only put 4 or 5 balls on the sheet at a time, leaving lots of space between each ball, as the cookies spread a fair amount during cooking)
Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until they turn lightly golden around the edges
Allow to cool and firm up for 5 minutes on the tray before transferring them to a wire rack for at least a further 10 minutes
Repeat stages 8-11 until all the cookie dough has been used
Keyword biscuits, cherries, chocolate, cookies, white chocolate