Heavenly Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

Buttery Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe: Tasty Sweet Gems

Soft, buttery cookies with a delightful twist of almond cherry cookies recipe dance across your taste buds, promising a symphony of sweet and nutty flavors.

Rich almond notes complement the bright burst of cherries in every delectable bite.

These cookies aren’t just a treat; they’re a delicious memory waiting to be created.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet impressive dessert.

The combination of tart cherries and smooth almonds creates a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

Each cookie delivers a miniature celebration of flavor that melts in your mouth.

Whip up a batch and watch these irresistible treats disappear in moments.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8-9 minutes

Total Time: 24 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 22

What You Need for Almond Cherry Cookies

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for tender cookies.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate sweetness and smooth texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting aromatic depth.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Builds essential cookie structure and stability.
  • Ground Almonds: Introduces nutty complexity and delightful texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance and highlights sweetness.
For Decorative and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Maraschino Cherries: Delivers vibrant color and sweet-tart burst.
  • Cherry Juice: Infuses intense fruity essence into frosting.
  • Almond Extract: Reinforces nutty undertones and elevates flavor profile.
  • Red Decorating Sugar: Provides sparkling festive finish and visual appeal.
  • Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency for perfect coating.

Baking Gear for Almond Cherry Cookies

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Separate Small Bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients before combining.
  • Whisk: Helps blend flour, salt, and ground almonds evenly.
  • Baking Sheet: Sturdy surface for baking cookies.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
  • Wire Rack: Allows cookies to cool and frosting to set properly.
  • Tablespoon: Helps measure and shape cookie dough consistently.
  • Electric Mixer (optional): Speeds up butter creaming process.

Almond Cherry Cookies: Instructions

  • Cherry Almond Inspiration

Soft, sweet cookies with a hidden cherry surprise and delicate almond undertones that bring comfort and joy to every bite.

  • Dough Preparation

Blend softened butter with powdered sugar until silky smooth, creating a luxurious base that promises delectable results.

  • Flour Mixture

Combine ground almonds, flour, and a whisper of salt, gently folding into the creamy butter blend for a perfectly balanced texture.

  • Cherry Nestling

Craft small dough balls, creating a cozy pocket for each vibrant maraschino cherry, carefully wrapping the fruit in a tender embrace.

  • Baking Magic

Slide cookies into a warm oven, allowing them to transform into golden-edged delights with a delicate, crisp exterior.

  • Frosting Finale

Whip up a glossy cherry-infused glaze, dipping each cooled cookie and finishing with a sprinkle of sparkling red sugar for a touch of whimsy.

Almond Cherry Cookies Variations & Tricks

  • Replace maraschino cherries with fresh or dried cherries for a more natural flavor profile and less artificial sweetness.
  • Fold chopped almonds into the dough for extra crunch and nutty complexity that enhances the cookie's overall texture.
  • Substitute regular flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
  • Drizzle melted dark chocolate over frosted cookies to add a rich, decadent layer that complements the almond and cherry notes.
  • Keep cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to maintain freshness for up to 5 days at room temperature or freeze for longer preservation.

How to Serve Almond Cherry Cookies

  • Cherry Lover's Delight: Serve these cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience that highlights the sweet cherry flavor.
  • Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these almond cherry cookies with a light chamomile or Earl Grey tea, creating a perfect mid-afternoon treat that balances the cookie's sweetness.
  • Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter with other holiday treats, using the bright red frosting and sugar as a festive touch for Christmas or Valentine's Day celebrations.
  • Gifting Goodness: Package these cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a ribbon, making them a charming homemade gift for friends, neighbors, or family members who appreciate delicate, fruity desserts.

Storage Tips for Almond Cherry Cookies

  • Sweet Safekeeping: Store these delightful almond cherry cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor.
  • Chilled Delight: Refrigerate cookies in a sealed container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking, maintaining their soft texture and preventing crumbling.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Carefully place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months, allowing for make-ahead convenience and spontaneous treat enjoyment.
  • Quick Refresh Trick: If cookies become slightly hard, warm them briefly in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to restore their original softness and melt-in-your-mouth quality.
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Heavenly Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

Heavenly Almond Cherry Cookies


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4.7 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 24 minutes
  • Yield: 22 1x

Description

Homemade almond cherry cookies blend rich European baking traditions with sweet fruit accents. Crisp edges and delicate centers make these treats perfect companions for afternoon tea or quiet moments of indulgence.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup slivered almonds, ground
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 8 oz (226 g) jar maraschino cherries, halved
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp maraschino cherry juice
  • 1 tbsp maraschino cherry juice (for frosting)
  • 1 tsp almond extract (for frosting)
  • 23 tbsps milk (for frosting)
  • Red decorating sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 375°F, creating an optimal baking environment for delicate almond cherry cookies.
  2. Cream Base: Whip butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform cream.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Merge flour, salt, and finely ground almonds in a separate vessel, ensuring even distribution of dry components.
  4. Form Dough: Fold dry ingredients into butter blend, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
  5. Shape Cookies: Craft compact dough spheres, creating uniform bases with a small indentation for maraschino cherry halves.
  6. Prepare for Baking: Gently envelop cherries, reshape dough into smooth balls, then flatten each cookie for even baking. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet with adequate spacing.
  7. Bake and Cool: Bake for 8-9 minutes until golden edges appear. Allow cookies to rest and cool completely on the baking sheet.
  8. Create Frosting: Whisk powdered sugar, cherry juice, almond extract, and milk until achieving a smooth, dippable consistency.
  9. Finish and Decorate: Dip cooled cookie tops into glossy frosting and sprinkle with red decorating sugar for a festive final touch.

Notes

  • Chill the Dough: Refrigerate for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain cookie structure.
  • Handle Cherry Placement: Press cherry gently into dough center to avoid cracking or breaking the delicate cookie base.
  • Monitor Baking Time: Ovens vary, so watch cookies closely at 8-minute mark to prevent over-browning and maintain soft texture.
  • Frosting Consistency: Adjust liquid (cherry juice or milk) gradually to achieve perfect drizzling thickness without becoming too runny.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-9 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 22
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 70 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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