Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Almond Cherry Cookies are a delightful treat that combine a tender, buttery base with the sweet pop of maraschino cherries. Perfect for holiday gatherings or an everyday snack, they offer a nostalgic flavor with a simple homemade charm.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 1½ cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 egg, well beaten
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 2½ cups flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• Maraschino cherries

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cream together the butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Step 2: Add the beaten egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, then beat well to combine.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well until fully incorporated.
5. Step 5: Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up.
6. Step 6: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Form small balls from the chilled dough and place them on a cookie sheet.
7. Step 7: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or about 8 minutes if the cookies are smaller.
8. Step 8: While the cookies bake, dry the maraschino cherries with a paper towel and cut them in half.
9. Step 9: Once the cookies come out of the oven, transfer them to a cooling rack and immediately place a cherry half in the center of each cookie.

Tips & Variations

• For a nutty twist, roll the cookie dough balls in powdered sugar before baking and top with a blanched almond slice instead of a cherry.
• Be sure to dry the cherries well to prevent excess moisture from softening the cookies.
• If you prefer a stronger almond flavor, you can increase the almond extract slightly, but do so cautiously as it can be overpowering.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep cherries fresh and avoid sogginess, it’s best to add them just before serving. Reheat gently in a low oven if desired to refresh the texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries can be used, but they have more moisture and may alter the texture of the cookies. If you do use fresh, pit and dry them well before placing on cookies.

What can I substitute if I don’t have cream of tartar?

You can substitute an equal amount of lemon juice or white vinegar for the cream of tartar, or use baking powder in place of both baking soda and cream of tartar.

Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 106 reviews

Delightful Almond Cherry Cookies feature a buttery, tender cookie base flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, topped with sweet maraschino cherries. These classic cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a festive, fruit-topped treat with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Author: Joe
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup butter
• 1½ cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 egg, well beaten
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 2½ cups flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cream of tartar

Topping

• Maraschino cherries, dried and cut in half

Instructions

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of butter and 1½ cups of confectioners’ sugar until smooth and fluffy, ensuring a creamy base for the dough.
2. Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in 1 well-beaten egg along with ½ teaspoon each of vanilla extract and almond extract until fully incorporated, adding flavor and moisture to the dough.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2½ cups of flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon cream of tartar. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing well to form a cohesive cookie dough.
4. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm it up, which will help in shaping the cookies and improving the texture.
5. Form Cookie Balls: After chilling, roll the dough into small balls of your preferred size. Place the dough balls evenly spaced on a cookie sheet to prepare for baking.
6. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 12 minutes; smaller cookie balls may need only around 8 minutes. Bake until edges are light golden but centers remain soft.
7. Prepare Cherries: While baking, drain and pat dry maraschino cherries with a paper towel. Cut each cherry in half to use as a topping.
8. Cool and Top Cookies: Once baked, let the cookies cool on a wire rack. While still warm, gently press a half maraschino cherry in the center of each cookie to complete the presentation and add a sweet, fruity finish.

Notes

• An alternative variation is to roll the cookie dough balls in powdered sugar before baking, and instead of placing a cherry on top after baking, place a blanched almond slice on each cookie before baking for a nutty twist.
• Make sure to dry the maraschino cherries thoroughly to prevent soggy cookies.
• Size of cookie balls will affect baking time; monitor closely to avoid over-baking.

Keywords: Almond cherry cookies, holiday cookies, fruity cookies, easy cookie recipe, maraschino cherry cookies