The Perfect Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe: Sweet & Chewy Joy

Almond cherry cookies bring a delightful twist to traditional sweet treats with their perfect balance of nutty and fruity flavors.

These scrumptious morsels combine the rich, earthy essence of almonds with bright, tangy cherries in a harmonious blend.

Soft yet slightly crisp, the cookies offer a sophisticated texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Each bite promises a complex sensory experience that transcends ordinary dessert expectations.

Homemade baking enthusiasts will appreciate the elegant simplicity of crafting these gourmet-style cookies in their own kitchen.

The magical combination of ingredients revolutionizes simple components into something truly extraordinary.

You’ll fall in love with how these cookies effortlessly elevate any afternoon snack or special occasion dessert spread.

Almond Cherry Cookies with a Toasty, Tart Edge

• Burst with Fruity Delight: These almond cherry cookies pack a punch of sweet, tangy maraschino cherry flavor that dances on your taste buds, creating a perfect balance between nutty almonds and bright cherry notes.
• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Magic: The tender, delicate texture combines crumbly almond-infused cookie base with a soft, smooth frosting, offering a luxurious mouthfeel that practically dissolves with each bite.
• Quick and Easy Baking Bliss: Whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making them ideal for both novice bakers and seasoned kitchen pros looking for a delightful treat.
• Festive Showstopper Potential: Dressed in glossy cherry-juice frosting and sprinkled with sparkling red sugar, these cookies transform from humble treats to elegant desserts perfect for holidays, gatherings, or special weekend indulgences.

What You’ll Need to Make Almond Cherry Cookies

• Butter: Rich, creamy foundation for tender cookie texture with smooth melting quality.
• Powdered Sugar: Soft sweetener that creates delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookie consistency.
• Flour: Primary structure builder with delicate protein content for perfect cookie crumb.

• Ground Almonds: Nutty base that adds rich depth and subtle crunch to cookie.
• Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor enhancer with warm, aromatic undertones.
• Salt: Subtle seasoning that balances overall sweetness and amplifies other flavors.

• Maraschino Cherries: Bright, sweet center with vibrant red color and fruity punch.
• Cherry Juice: Natural coloring and flavor booster for frosting.
• Almond Extract: Intense nutty flavor complement to cherry and almond notes.
• Powdered Sugar (Frosting): Smooth, glossy base for creating drippy cookie topping.
• Milk: Liquid adjustment for achieving perfect frosting consistency.
• Red Decorating Sugar: Sparkly finishing touch with festive visual appeal.

Instructions for Baking Almond Cherry Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Workspace

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gather all ingredients and equipment.

Step 2: Create Butter Mixture

• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Cream ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Ground almonds

Whisk ingredients together evenly.

Step 4: Combine Dough Mixture

Gradually fold dry ingredients into butter mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Foundations

Roll dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Create a small center indentation in each ball.

Step 6: Add Cherry Surprise

Place a maraschino cherry half into each cookie’s center. Gently fold dough around cherry, reforming into a ball. Slightly flatten each cookie.

Step 7: Bake Golden Treats

Place cookies on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-9 minutes until edges turn light golden brown.

Step 8: Cool Cookie Base

Remove from oven. Let cookies cool completely on baking sheet.

Step 9: Craft Cherry Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Cherry juice
• Almond extract
• Milk (to reach desired consistency)

Step 10: Decorate Cookies

Dip cooled cookie tops into frosting. Place on wire rack. Sprinkle with red decorating sugar.

Tips to Get the Perfect Cookie Texture and Shape

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain the perfect round shape.
• Handle Cherries Gently: Pat maraschino cherries dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, ensuring they don't make the cookies soggy.
• Create Uniform Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to measure consistent dough balls for even baking and professional-looking results.
• Prevent Overbaking: Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking; they should be just golden at the edges to keep them soft and tender.
• Frosting Technique: Let cookies cool completely before dipping to prevent the frosting from melting and ensure a smooth, clean coating that sets perfectly.

Store Almond Cherry Cookies for Best Freshness

• Refrigeration: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.
• Freezing: Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Warm briefly in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft, just-baked texture and revive the delicate almond and cherry flavors.

Serve These Cookies With Tea, Coffee, or Wine

• Craft Sweet Cherry Cocktail Pairing: Combine the cookie's almond and cherry flavors with a light maraschino cherry martini, enhancing the dessert's fruity essence.
• Select Complementary Tea Experience: Brew a delicate white tea or vanilla rooibos to balance the cookie's rich sweetness and nutty undertones.
• Design Dessert Wine Harmony: Pair these cookies with a chilled moscato d'asti or a light ruby port, which will highlight the cookie's delicate cherry and almond profile.
• Create Coffee Contrast: Serve alongside a smooth cappuccino or mild espresso, allowing the coffee's robust notes to beautifully contrast the cookie's sweet, soft texture.

Flavor Options for Almond Cherry Cookie Fans

• Chocolate Cherry Crunch: Replace ground almonds with crushed chocolate cookies, adding cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for deeper chocolate flavor. Top with chocolate-covered cherries instead of maraschino.
• Nutty Berry Swap: Substitute cherries with fresh raspberries or blueberries. Use chopped pecans instead of ground almonds for a different nutty profile. Adjust frosting to match the berry's color and flavor.
• Citrus Almond Fusion: Incorporate orange zest into the cookie dough and replace cherry juice with fresh orange juice in the frosting. Add sliced almonds on top for extra crunch and visual appeal.
• Gluten-Free Fruity Option: Use almond flour and gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Select dried cherries soaked in brandy for intense flavor. Drizzle white chocolate glaze instead of traditional frosting for elegant finish.

Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Almond cherry cookies blend Italian elegance with sweet-tart charm. Buttery almond dough cradles jewel-like cherry centers, offering a delicate balance of nutty warmth and fruity brightness you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup slivered almonds, ground
• ¾ cup powdered sugar

Secondary Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces (226 grams) jar maraschino cherries, halved
• 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice
• Red decorating sugar

Frosting Ingredients:

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

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal baking environment for delicate almond cherry cookies.
2. Whip butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform cream.
3. In a separate vessel, combine flour, salt, and finely ground almonds, ensuring an even distribution of dry ingredients.
4. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the butter blend, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
5. Craft compact dough spheres using a tablespoon measure, creating uniform cookie bases.
6. Delicately hollow out a small indentation in each dough ball, nestling a vibrant maraschino cherry half into the center.
7. Carefully envelop the cherry, reforming the dough into a smooth ball, then tenderly flatten each cookie for even baking.
8. Arrange cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, providing adequate spacing for gentle expansion.
9. Bake for 8-9 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges signaling perfect doneness.
10. Allow cookies to rest and cool completely on the baking sheet, preserving their tender texture.
11. Prepare a glossy frosting by whisking powdered sugar, cherry juice, almond extract, and milk until achieving a smooth, dippable consistency.
12. Once cooled, immerse cookie tops into the lustrous frosting, inverting them onto a wire rack.
13. Finish by sprinkling a delicate layer of red decorating sugar, adding a festive touch to these elegant treats.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent sticky hands and ensure cleaner cookie formation.
• Pat maraschino cherries dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy.
• Use fresh ground almonds for maximum flavor and crunch in the cookie texture.
• Room temperature butter blends more smoothly and creates a softer, more uniform cookie dough.
• Let cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a clean, crisp coating.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers to maintain their delicate frosted surface.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg