Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe
These Almond Cherry Cookies are a delightful treat combining the nutty flavor of ground almonds with sweet maraschino cherries. Soft, buttery cookies are baked until lightly golden and topped with a smooth almond-cherry frosting, then sprinkled with red decorating sugar for a festive finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a flavorful, elegant cookie.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
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
Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and ground almonds. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated to form the dough.
- Form Cookies: Take a tablespoon of dough and create a small pit in the center. Place half a maraschino cherry into the pit, then fold the dough around the cherry to form a smooth ball. Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten them slightly with your hand or the back of a spoon.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn a light golden brown. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies tender. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, reserved maraschino cherry juice, and almond extract. Slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches a thick dipping consistency suitable for coating the tops of the cookies.
- Decorate Cookies: Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the frosting, allowing excess to drip off. Place cookies back onto the wire rack and immediately sprinkle with red decorating sugar to add a festive sparkle. Let the frosting set before serving to ensure it hardens lightly on the cookies.
Notes
- You can substitute slivered almonds with finely chopped almonds if a coarser texture is desired.
- Be sure to reserve the cherry juice from the maraschino cherries for use in the frosting for maximum flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker or thinner frosting, adjust the milk quantity accordingly.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For added crunch, lightly toast the ground almonds before adding them to the dough.
Keywords: Almond Cherry Cookies, Festive Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Maraschino Cherry Cookies, Nutty Cookies, Almond Frosting
Find it online: https://cheframi.com/almond-cherry-cookies-recipe/
