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Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 102 reviews

These Almond Cherry Cookies are a delightful blend of nutty ground almonds and sweet maraschino cherries encased in buttery, tender cookie dough. Each cookie is filled with a juicy cherry and finished with a smooth almond-cherry frosting topped with red decorating sugar, making them perfect for festive occasions or an indulgent treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies

  • ¾ cup slivered almonds, ground
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar, divided
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces maraschino cherries, halved (about 1 jar), reserve juice
  • 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice
  • Red decorating sugar, for sprinkling

Frosting

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to prepare it for baking the cookies.
  2. Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, ¾ cup powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use a mixer or a spoon to blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground slivered almonds until evenly mixed.
  4. Form Cookie Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough might be slightly crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
  5. Shape Cookies with Cherries: Take about 1 tablespoon of dough, create a small pit in the center, and place a halved maraschino cherry into the pit. Fold the dough over the cherry and gently roll into a ball. Place the cookie dough balls onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Slightly flatten each cookie with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass.
  6. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden brown.
  7. Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  8. Prepare Frosting: In a small bowl, combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice, and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk gradually, stirring until the frosting reaches a smooth, dipping consistency.
  9. Frost Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the prepared frosting. Flip them over carefully and place on the wire rack. While the frosting is still wet, sprinkle the cookies with red decorating sugar to garnish.
  10. Set and Serve: Allow the frosting to set completely before serving to enjoy a perfect blend of chewy cookie, juicy cherry, and sweet almond frosting.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure the butter is softened but not melted before mixing.
  • You can substitute maraschino cherries with glacé cherries if unavailable, but maraschino cherries provide the best flavor and color.
  • If you prefer a stronger almond flavor, add a little more almond extract to the frosting.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  • Using parchment paper helps prevent cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Keywords: almond cherry cookies, cherry cookies, almond cookies, maraschino cherries, holiday cookies, nutty cookies, frosted cookies

Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/almond-cherry-cookies-recipe/