Cherry Cookies Recipe: Easy Maraschino Cherry Cookies
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Dec 22, 2023 • 3 min read
Cherry cookies are sweet in taste and pink in color. Learn how to make them for a weekend treat or special occasion.
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What Are Cherry Cookies?
Cherry cookies might refer to a few different types of cookies featuring maraschino cherries. Maraschino cherries (sweet cherries in sugar syrup) are bright red and chewy; they are common in ice cream sundaes, chocolate-covered cherries, cherry cordials, and plated desserts. The most classic cherry cookies are pink in color, as a result of either red food coloring or cherry juice, making them a popular Christmas cookie or treat around Valentine's Day.
5 Types of Cherry Cookies
Cherry cookies mean different things to different people depending on factors like personal preferences and family traditions. Here are five variations of cherry cookies you might come across:
- 1. Almond-cherry cookies: Replace the vanilla extract in a cookie recipe with almond extract for a cherry-almond cookie. Mix in slivered almonds for crunch and even more almond flavor.
- 2. Blossom cherry cookies: Make a classic cherry cookie recipe, but at the end of the baking process, press a piece of chocolate candy into the center of the cookie.
- 3. Chocolate chip and cherry cookies: Mix semisweet chocolate chips or white chocolate morsels into the cherry cookie dough. Both of these chocolates complement the flavor of cherries well, and either one will add another level of sweetness.
- 4. Shortbread cherry cookies: Add maraschino cherry juice to shortbread cookie dough, or mix in chopped cherries before you roll, freeze, slice, and bake the dough. With a buttery, crumbly texture and slightly sweet taste, shortbread cookies pair perfectly with maraschino cherries.
- 5. Thumbprint cherry cookies: Instead of adding cherries to your cookie dough, make thumbprint cookies. Simply make an indent in each cookie with your thumb, then press a maraschino cherry or cherry jelly into each thumbrint before you place the cookies in the oven.
Maraschino Cherry Cookie Recipe
makes
About 18 cookiesprep time
16 mintotal time
44 mincook time
28 minIngredients
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt).
- 3
In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl for a handheld electric mixer, add the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using the stand mixer’s paddle attachment or the handheld mixer, whip the butter and sugars together for about 10 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- 4
Next, add the eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating one egg before you add the next one. Beat that mixture for another 5 minutes.
- 5
Mix in the vanilla extract (or almond extract) just until it combines with the rest of the wet ingredients.
- 6
Add the flour mixture all at once, combining it with the wet ingredients on a low speed. Mix the ingredients together until there are no visible flour spots in the batter, about 30 seconds.
- 7
Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and stir in the chopped cherries by hand with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
- 8
With a large spoon, tablespoon, or cookie scoop, place about 12 cookie dough balls on the cookie sheet, leaving room between each cookie to account for spreading.
- 9
Bake the cookies until they are golden brown around the edges, about 12–14 minutes.
- 10
Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them, one by one, to a wire rack to cool. Continue to scoop the dough and bake the cookies until there is no more cookie dough.
- 11
Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the freezer.
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