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