Welcome to the delightful world of homemade cherry cookies! These small, bite-sized treats are an absolute joy, perfect for brightening any day or occasion. Each cookie is a symphony of flavor and texture, featuring rich, buttery goodness, tender pieces of vibrant maraschino cherries, and a subtle hint of almond that elevates the entire experience. What makes these cookies even more irresistible is their incredible ease of preparation and baking, requiring less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just beginning your culinary journey, this simple cherry cookie recipe promises delicious results that will have everyone reaching for more.
There’s something uniquely heartwarming about a freshly baked cookie, and these maraschino cherry cookies are no exception. They are a must-make recipe, guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. This straightforward and easy-to-follow cookie recipe is an excellent choice for beginner bakers, offering a rewarding experience without complicated steps. The outcome is consistently perfect: wonderfully soft and delightfully chewy cookies, each bite bursting with the sweet, distinctive taste of cherries perfectly complemented by the warm, nutty undertones of almond. Prepare to fall in love with these simple yet elegant homemade cherry cookies!
Why You’ll Love These Cherry Cookies
These almond cherry cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a delightful experience waiting to happen. Here’s why this easy cherry cookie recipe will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire:
- **Beginner-Friendly Baking:** This recipe is crafted for simplicity, making it ideal for aspiring bakers or a fun activity to enjoy with children. The steps are straightforward, ensuring a successful and delicious outcome every time, even if you’re new to the kitchen.
- **Vibrant & Festive Appearance:** With their beautiful, subtle pink hue from the maraschino cherries, these cookies are naturally eye-catching. They are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, bake sales, or simply adding a touch of cheer to your everyday snack time. Their cheerful color makes them a wonderful addition to any festive spread.
- **Smart Ingredient Utilization:** Have an open jar of maraschino cherries in your refrigerator and wondering what to do with them? This recipe is the perfect solution, ensuring those delicious cherries don’t go to waste and transforming them into something truly special.
- **Unique Flavor Profile:** Stand out from typical cookie offerings with this distinct combination of almond, rich butter, and sweet cherries. It’s a sophisticated yet approachable flavor that appeals to a wide range of palates, offering a pleasant surprise with every bite.
- **Versatile Snacking:** These homemade cherry cookies are perfect for any time of day. Enjoy them as a delightful accompaniment to your morning coffee or tea, a satisfying after-school snack, or a light dessert after dinner. Their convenient size makes them easy to grab and enjoy.
- **No Chilling Required:** Save time and bypass the tedious step of chilling the dough. This recipe allows you to mix your ingredients, scoop the dough, and pop them straight into the oven, getting you to warm, fresh cookies much faster.
- **Soft and Chewy Perfection:** Expect a texture that’s soft, tender, and delightfully chewy, not hard or crumbly. The moist interior ensures a pleasant eating experience that melts in your mouth.
- **Quick & Efficient Baking:** From start to finish, you can have a batch of these incredible cookies ready in under 30 minutes, making them an excellent choice for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests.
Ingredients for Homemade Cherry Cookies
Ingredient Notes and Tips
- **All-Purpose Flour (1 ¾ cup / 220g):** The foundation of our soft and chewy cherry cookies. Using all-purpose flour provides the perfect structure without being too dense. For best results, measure accurately using a kitchen scale if possible to ensure consistency.
- **Baking Soda (¼ teaspoon):** This leavening agent helps the cookies rise and spread slightly, contributing to their tender texture. Ensure your baking soda is fresh for optimal results.
- **Baking Powder (¼ teaspoon):** Working in tandem with baking soda, baking powder adds additional lift and a delicate crumb to the cookies, preventing them from becoming too flat.
- **Salt (½ teaspoon):** A crucial ingredient that balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors, particularly the butter and cherry. Don’t skip it, as it truly brings out the best in these almond cherry cookies.
- **Unsalted Butter (1 stick, room temperature):** The key to rich, buttery goodness. Ensure your butter is at true room temperature (soft enough to indent with a finger, but not melted) for proper creaming with the sugars, which creates a light and airy dough. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon.
- **Granulated Sugar (½ cup / 100g, plus more for sprinkling):** Provides sweetness and contributes to the crisp edges and chewy centers of the cookies. A sprinkle on top before baking adds a lovely sparkle and extra texture.
- **Packed Light Brown Sugar (¼ cup / 50g):** Adds moisture, depth of flavor, and contributes to the soft, chewy texture. Packing the brown sugar ensures you get the correct amount.
- **Vanilla Extract (½ teaspoon):** A classic flavor enhancer that complements the buttery base and cherry notes beautifully. Use good quality vanilla for the best taste.
- **Almond Extract (½ teaspoon):** This is where the magic happens for “almond cherry cookies”! It provides a delightful nutty aroma and flavor that pairs perfectly with maraschino cherries. If you’re not a fan of almond flavor or have an allergy, you can omit it and use an additional ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract instead.
- **Large Egg (1):** Acts as a binder, helping to hold the ingredients together and adding moisture. Ensure it’s at room temperature for better emulsification with the butter and sugar mixture.
- **Maraschino Cherries (½ cup, chopped):** The star of these maraschino cherry cookies! An 8-ounce jar typically yields enough for the recipe. Make sure to drain them thoroughly and chop them into small pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the dough. Small pieces also prevent the cookies from becoming too moist or getting large pockets of cherry.
Classic Maraschino Cherry Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup all purpose flour (220g)
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100g), plus more to sprinkle on top
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar (50g)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup maraschino cherries, chopped and drained
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. This ensures all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with both granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This should take about 3 minutes on medium-high speed. Proper creaming incorporates air, resulting in soft cookies.
- Add the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat until all ingredients are well combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed after each addition until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries. Mix just enough to distribute them evenly throughout the dough without overmixing, which could dye the entire dough too pink.
- Scoop the dough using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop or roll into 1-tablespoon balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle the tops of each cookie dough ball with a little granulated sugar before baking.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still soft. Do not overbake. Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents breaking.
Notes
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
How to Make Cherry Cookies: Step-by-Step
Creating these delightful maraschino cherry cookies is a straightforward process, perfect for any home baker. Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfectly soft, chewy, and flavorful almond cherry cookies every time:
- **Prepare Your Workspace and Dry Ingredients:** Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; this prevents sticking and ensures even baking. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure they are well-mixed, setting a good foundation for your cookies.
- **Cream Butter and Sugars:** In a large mixing bowl, take your room-temperature unsalted butter and add both the granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy. This process usually takes about 3 minutes on medium-high speed. Proper creaming is vital as it incorporates air, which contributes to the soft texture of the final cookie.
- **Add Wet Ingredients:** Once the butter and sugars are perfectly creamed, crack in the large egg. Follow with the vanilla extract and the almond extract (or additional vanilla if preferred). Continue beating the mixture with your electric mixer until all these wet ingredients are thoroughly combined and smooth. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is incorporated.
- **Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:** Gradually add the previously prepared dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the large bowl. Mix on low speed, adding in small increments. Beat gently after each addition, only until the flour streaks disappear. It’s crucial not to overmix the dough at this stage, as overworking the gluten can result in tough, rather than soft and chewy, cookies.
- **Fold in the Cherries:** With the dough nearly complete, gently fold in the chopped and well-drained maraschino cherries. Use a spatula for this step, mixing just enough to distribute the cherries evenly throughout the dough. Avoid vigorous mixing, as too much agitation can cause the cherries to bleed their red color excessively into the dough, giving you a uniformly pink cookie rather than one with distinct cherry bits.
- **Portion and Bake:** Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop (or simply roll the dough into 1-tablespoon balls), place the cookie dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. For an appealing finish and a touch of added sweetness, sprinkle a little extra granulated sugar over the top of each cookie dough ball before baking. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers still look soft. Do not overbake, as they will continue to set as they cool.
- **Cooling Process:** Once baked, remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for precisely 2 minutes. This brief cooling period helps the cookies set, making them sturdier and less prone to breaking. After 2 minutes, carefully transfer the warm cherry cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these perfectly baked homemade cherry cookies with a hint of almond!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Cookies
Absolutely! While maraschino cherries offer a distinct flavor and vibrant color, fresh cherries make an excellent substitute, especially when they are in season. If you choose to use fresh cherries, you’ll need to wash, pit, and finely chop them before incorporating them into the cookie batter. Using about 1 cup of fresh, chopped cherries for this recipe should yield similar results in terms of cherry distribution and flavor. Keep in mind that fresh cherries might introduce a bit more moisture, so your cookies might be slightly softer or require an extra minute of baking time.
Yes, it is highly recommended that you drain the jar of maraschino cherries thoroughly before adding them to your cookie batter. The syrup they come packed in is very sugary and can add excess moisture to your dough, altering the texture of your cookies. While draining is essential, rinsing the cherries is optional. Some bakers prefer to rinse them briefly under cold water to remove any residual syrup, which can slightly mute their vibrant red color but can also prevent the cookies from becoming overly sweet. If you choose to rinse, make sure to pat them very dry with paper towels afterward to avoid introducing extra moisture into your dough.
Yes, you can! The cookie dough can be prepared ahead of time and stored. Simply cover the bowl of dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to soften slightly before scooping and baking. You can also form the cookie dough balls and freeze them for later, as detailed in the storage section.
No problem at all! The almond extract provides a lovely complementary flavor to the cherries, but if you don’t have it or prefer not to use it, simply substitute it with an equal amount of vanilla extract. This will result in a delicious vanilla-cherry cookie, still wonderfully flavorful and sweet.
Expert Tips for Perfect Cherry Cookies
- **Gentle Cherry Folding:** To maintain distinct cherry pieces and avoid excessively pink cookies, be gentle when folding the chopped maraschino cherries into the batter. Mix just until they are evenly distributed, typically a few folds are sufficient. Overmixing can cause the cherries’ color to bleed, tinting your entire batch of dough.
- **Uniform Cookie Size with a Scooper:** For consistent baking and a professional appearance, use a cookie scooper. A 1-tablespoon scoop is ideal for these bite-sized treats. Uniformly sized cookies bake more evenly and look beautiful on a platter.
- **Batch Size Flexibility:** This recipe uses approximately ½ cup of chopped maraschino cherries. If you find yourself with a larger 16-ounce jar of cherries, consider making a double batch of these easy cherry cookies to use them all up. Just ensure you adjust all other ingredient quantities accordingly.
- **Prepare Cherries Properly:** Before chopping your maraschino cherries, always ensure to remove any stems they might have. This small step makes for a much more pleasant eating experience and ensures that every bite is pure cookie perfection.
- **Room Temperature Ingredients are Key:** Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more effectively, creating a smoother, more emulsified dough that results in tender, evenly baked cookies.
- **Don’t Overbake:** These almond cherry cookies are meant to be soft and chewy. Bake them just until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet and wire rack. Overbaking will lead to dry, hard cookies.
Storage Solutions for Cherry Cookies
These delicious homemade cherry cookies are wonderful fresh, but they also store beautifully, allowing you to enjoy them for days or even months:
**Countertop Storage:** Once your cherry cookies have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature on your countertop for up to 4-5 days. To keep them at their softest, you can add a slice of bread to the container; the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, helping them stay fresh.
**Freezing Baked Cookies:** For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cherry cookies. Ensure they are completely cool, then arrange them in a single layer in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. They will keep well in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature for a quick and easy treat.
**Freezing Cookie Dough:** You can also prepare the dough ahead of time and freeze it. Form the dough into balls as instructed, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm (about 1-2 hours). Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, you can bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time, or let them thaw slightly on the baking sheet before baking.
Serve These Delightful Cookies With
These buttery maraschino cherry cookies are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of beverages and occasions. Their sweet and slightly nutty flavor makes them a perfect match for:
- **Milk:** A classic pairing! A tall glass of cold milk is the ultimate companion for any cookie, and these cherry cookies are no exception.
- **Milk Tea:** For a comforting and aromatic experience, enjoy them with a warm cup of milk tea. The subtle tea flavors complement the almond and cherry beautifully.
- **Coffee or Hot Chocolate:** Whether it’s your morning brew or an evening indulgence, these cookies are fantastic alongside a cup of coffee or rich hot chocolate.
- **Holiday Gatherings:** Their festive pink color makes them a wonderful addition to any holiday buffet, party, or family get-together. They add a pop of color and a unique flavor to your dessert spread.
- **Afternoon Snack:** Perfect for a quick pick-me-up or an after-school treat for kids and adults alike.
- **Dessert Platter:** Arrange them on a dessert platter with other small sweets for an impressive spread.
Creative Variations for Your Cherry Cookies
While the classic almond cherry cookies are perfect as they are, don’t hesitate to experiment with these delicious variations to customize them to your taste:
- **Alternative Cherries:** Instead of maraschino cherries, try using dried cherries for a more intense, chewy texture and concentrated cherry flavor. Or, as discussed, fresh pitted and chopped cherries are a fantastic seasonal option.
- **Chocolate Cherry Bliss:** Elevate your maraschino cherry cookies by adding chocolate chips! Stir in a handful of white chocolate chips for a sweet and creamy contrast, or opt for semi-sweet chocolate chips for a classic chocolate-cherry combination. Dark chocolate chips would also provide a rich depth.
- **Nutty Additions:** For an extra layer of texture and flavor, fold in about ½ cup of finely chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds. The toasted nuttiness will complement the almond extract beautifully.
- **Lemon or Orange Zest:** A teaspoon of fresh lemon or orange zest can add a bright, citrusy note that wonderfully enhances the cherry flavor, making the cookies taste even fresher.
- **Larger Cookies:** If you prefer larger, more substantial cookies, use a two-tablespoon scooper instead of one. Keep in mind that this will yield fewer cookies per batch, and you may need to increase the baking time by a few minutes. Monitor them closely to ensure they bake through without overbaking.
- **Cherry Glaze:** For an extra touch of decadence, drizzle a simple glaze over the cooled cookies. Mix powdered sugar with a small amount of maraschino cherry juice (from the jar) or milk and a drop of almond extract until you reach a drizzly consistency.
More Irresistible Dessert Recipes
If you’re a fan of these delightful cherry cookies, you’ll surely love exploring other sweet treats that are equally easy to make and guaranteed to impress:
- **10 Must-Make Eid Cookies:** Expand your cookie repertoire with a curated list of 10 Must Make Eid Cookies. These recipes are perfect for sharing joy with friends and family during celebrations, offering a variety of flavors and textures to suit every preference.
- **Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies:** Can’t decide between the rich fudginess of a brownie and the comforting chewiness of a peanut butter cookie? Get the best of both worlds with this incredible Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies recipe! It’s a delightful hybrid that’s sure to satisfy any chocolate and peanut butter craving.
- **Easy Coconut Macaroons (No Condensed Milk):** Discover the simplicity of making Easy Coconut Macaroons without condensed milk. These perfectly toasted coconut flakes balls are sweetened to perfection and can be elegantly finished with a classic maraschino cherry or a luscious melted chocolate drizzle.
Pair with Savory: Greek Salad
After indulging in sweets, sometimes a fresh and vibrant savory dish is just what you need. Consider balancing your meal with this crisp:
- **Authentic Greek Salad:** Bring this refreshing Greek Salad to your next get-together or prepare it for an easy and healthy lunch. Fresh, crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and briny olives are perfectly tossed with a simple, zesty homemade vinaigrette. It’s a light and flavorful contrast to any sweet treat.
Baking Beyond Cookies
For those who love to bake and want to venture beyond cookies, here’s a classic dessert that’s easier than you might think:
- **Traditional Baklava:** Dive into the world of flaky, honey-soaked pastries with this Traditional Baklava recipe. It’s easier to make than you might imagine, and this recipe includes comprehensive step-by-step instructions. Even a beginner baker will enjoy the rewarding process of creating this impressive homemade baklava.
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