Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Almond Cherry Cookies combine tender, buttery dough with the sweet tang of maraschino cherries and a delicate almond frosting. Perfectly festive and flavorful, they make a delightful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup slivered almonds, ground
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces jar maraschino cherries, halved (reserve 1 teaspoon juice)
• Red decorating sugar
• For Frosting:
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground almonds. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Take a tablespoon of dough and make a small pit in the center. Place half a maraschino cherry in the pit and fold the dough around it to form a ball.
5. Step 5: Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten them slightly.
6. Step 6: Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden brown. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
7. Step 7: To make the frosting, whisk together powdered sugar, reserved cherry juice, and almond extract in a small bowl. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach a dipping consistency.
8. Step 8: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the frosting, then place them back on the wire rack.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle the frosted cookies with red decorating sugar and allow the frosting to set before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a nut-free version, omit the almonds and use an equal amount of additional flour; add a teaspoon of almond extract to the dough for flavor.
• Use fresh cherries instead of maraschino for a less sweet, more natural taste.
• If frosting is too thick, add milk gradually to avoid thinning it too much; too thin frosting may run off the cookies.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If refrigerated, allow them to come to room temperature before serving to soften the frosting. These cookies also freeze well for up to 1 month; thaw at room temperature before decorating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chopped almonds instead of ground almonds?

Using chopped almonds will add more texture and crunch, but ground almonds help give the dough a tender, uniform crumb. For best results, grind the almonds finely or pulse them in a food processor before adding.

What can I use instead of maraschino cherry juice in the frosting?

If you don’t have maraschino cherry juice, you can substitute with a teaspoon of cherry juice from canned or fresh cherries, or even a small amount of almond milk to maintain the consistency and flavor balance.

Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 110 reviews

Delight in these Almond Cherry Cookies, featuring a buttery almond-infused dough wrapped around sweet maraschino cherries, topped with a luscious cherry-flavored frosting and a sprinkle of festive red sugar. Perfectly crisp around the edges with a soft center, these cookies combine classic flavors and a charming presentation to brighten any occasion.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Total Time: 29 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies:

• 3/4 cup slivered almonds, ground
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces jar maraschino cherries, halved (reserve 1 teaspoon juice)
• Red decorating sugar, for sprinkling

Frosting:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2–3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground slivered almonds. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mixture, mixing until fully combined into a soft dough.
3. Form Cookies: Using a tablespoon of dough, create a small indentation in the center. Place half a maraschino cherry into this pit, then carefully fold the dough around the cherry to form a ball. Place the dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten each slightly to ensure even baking.
4. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes or until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Make Frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon reserved maraschino cherry juice, and almond extract. Add milk one tablespoon at a time, whisking until the frosting reaches a smooth, dip-like consistency suitable for decorating.
6. Decorate Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the frosting, allowing excess to drip off, then place them back on the wire rack. Immediately sprinkle red decorating sugar over the frosting to add sparkle and texture. Let the frosting set completely before serving.

Notes

• Reserve the cherry juice when draining the cherries to add natural flavor to the frosting.
• Ground slivered almonds can be made by processing the slivered almonds in a food processor until fine but not turning into almond butter.
• For a softer cookie, bake closer to 8 minutes; for slightly crisper edges, extend to 9 minutes.
• If desired, substitute almond extract in frosting with vanilla extract for a milder flavor.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.

Keywords: Almond Cherry Cookies, maraschino cherry cookies, almond cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies, baked cookies