Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Almond Cherry Cookies offer a delightful combination of nutty flavor and sweet cherry notes, perfect for any occasion. Soft, tender, and topped with a glossy almond frosting, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious.

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 butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and ground almonds. Gradually add this mixture to the butter mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Take a tablespoon of dough, create a small pit in the center, place half a maraschino cherry in it, then fold the dough around the cherry to form a ball.
5. Step 5: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten them slightly.
6. Step 6: Bake for 8–9 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
7. Step 7: To make the frosting, whisk together powdered sugar, maraschino cherry juice, and almond extract in a small bowl. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches a dipping consistency.
8. Step 8: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the frosting, then return them to the wire rack.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle with red decorating sugar and allow the frosting to set before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a crunchier texture, toast the slivered almonds before grinding.
• Replace maraschino cherries with dried cherries soaked in cherry juice for a less sweet option.
• Use clear almond extract to keep the frosting color bright and appealing.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to two weeks. When ready to enjoy, allow refrigerated cookies to come to room temperature and refresh frosting with a light dip if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute whole almonds instead of slivered almonds?

Yes, you can use whole almonds, but it’s best to chop or grind them finely to maintain the dough’s texture and consistency.

What if I don’t have maraschino cherries?

You can substitute with fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved, but the flavor and sweetness will differ slightly. Adjust frosting sweetness accordingly.

Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 106 reviews

Delight in these classic Almond Cherry Cookies featuring a tender buttery base studded with sweet maraschino cherries and topped with a smooth almond-flavored frosting. Perfectly soft and slightly crumbly, these cookies are finished with a festive touch of red decorating sugar, making them ideal for holiday gatherings or any sweet occasion.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Total Time: 29 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 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

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). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
2. 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 another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground slivered almonds. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated, forming the cookie dough.
3. Form Cookies: Take a tablespoon of dough and create a small indentation in the center. Place half of a maraschino cherry into the pit, then carefully fold the dough around the cherry to form a ball. Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten them slightly to shape.
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 the baking sheet and transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Make Frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, reserved maraschino cherry juice, and almond extract until combined. Slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time, stirring until the frosting reaches a consistency suitable for dipping the cookie tops.
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. Sprinkle the frosted tops with red decorating sugar for a festive finish. Let the frosting set completely before serving.

Notes

• To grind slivered almonds, pulse them briefly in a food processor to avoid making almond butter.
• If cherry juice is insufficient, substitute with a teaspoon of water and add additional cherry extract if available for flavor.
• Make sure cookies are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• These cookies freeze well; freeze unfrosted cookies and frost after thawing for best results.

Keywords: Almond Cherry Cookies, cherry cookies, almond cookies, holiday cookies, frosted cookies, maraschino cherries, sweet cookies