Description
Sweet cherry almond Amish sugar cookies combine nostalgic Midwestern baking traditions with delightful fruity notes. Crisp edges and tender centers make these cookies a perfect companion for afternoon tea or midnight snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226 g) butter, softened
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 4 ½ cups (540 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 (12 oz / 340 g) jars maraschino cherries, drained (reserve juice), minced, and squeezed very dry
- 2 tsps almond extract
- 2 tsps cherry extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 4 tbsps butter, melted
- ⅓ cup + 1–2 tbsps maraschino cherry juice
- 4–5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp cherry extract
- ½ cup slivered almonds
Instructions
- Prepare Cherries: Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly, finely mince, and delicately remove excess moisture using paper towels.
- Create Base Mixture: Blend softened butter, oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, then fold in eggs, almond extract, cherry extract, and minced cherries.
- Develop Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar in a separate bowl, then gently incorporate into wet ingredients to form a consistent, soft dough.
- Shape and Bake: Line baking sheets with parchment paper, drop evenly spaced dough portions, and bake at 375°F for 8-11 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
- Cool and Prepare Icing: Transfer cookies to wire racks for complete cooling, then craft icing by whisking melted butter, reserved cherry juice, almond extract, and cherry extract, gradually adding powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.
- Finish and Serve: Generously frost cooled cookies with cherry icing, sprinkle with slivered almonds and optional decorative touches, and allow icing to set before serving.
Notes
- Drain Cherries Carefully: Press out excess moisture to prevent soggy cookies and maintain ideal texture.
- Avoid Overmixing Dough: Gently fold flour mixture to keep cookies tender and prevent tough, dense results.
- Adjust Icing Consistency: Add reserved cherry juice or powdered sugar gradually to achieve perfect spreading texture.
- Cooling is Crucial: Let cookies cool completely before frosting to ensure icing sets properly and doesn’t melt.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-11 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 22
- Calories: 204
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg