Description
Delight in these classic Almond Cherry Cookies featuring a buttery, tender base enhanced with almond and vanilla extracts, topped with sweet maraschino cherries for a festive and flavorful treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 egg (well beaten)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Garnish
- Maraschino cherries (halved)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Cream together the butter and confectioners’ sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy to create a smooth base for your cookies.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Incorporate the well-beaten egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly to combine all wet ingredients evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until the dough forms and all components are fully integrated.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate it for 1 hour to firm up, which helps with shaping and texture upon baking.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls and arrange them on a baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–12 minutes, depending on cookie size, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Prepare Cherries: While the cookies are baking, pat the maraschino cherries dry with paper towels and cut them in half, ready for topping.
- Cool and Garnish: Once baked, cool the cookies on a rack, then gently press a cherry half into the center of each cookie to add sweetness and a festive look.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be slightly golden at the edges to maintain a soft center.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and improves cookie shape.
- Patting cherries dry prevents extra moisture from making the cookies soggy.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Almond Cherry Cookies, Butter Cookies, Festive Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Cherry Topped Cookies, Soft Cookies, Baking, Dessert
