Description
These Cherry Cookies are a delightful American dessert featuring a soft and buttery dough studded with sweet maraschino cherries and optional white chocolate chips. Perfectly baked to a golden edge, these festive cookies offer a balance of fruity sweetness and creamy white chocolate, ideal for holiday treats or anytime you crave a fruity, buttery cookie.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries (drained and patted dry)
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined, adding moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning throughout the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overmix to keep cookies tender.
- Fold in Cherries and Chocolate: Fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and white chocolate chips if using, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden indicating doneness.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Blot the cherries thoroughly to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy dough and ensuring proper cookie texture.
- For added flavor and a festive touch, drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies or dip half of each cookie in melted white chocolate.
