Description
These Almond Cherry Cookies are a delightful treat featuring a tender almond-flavored cookie dough encasing sweet maraschino cherry halves. Topped with a cherry almond glaze and red decorating sugar, they offer a perfect balance of nutty richness and fruity sweetness, ideal for celebrations or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ¾ cup silvered 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, reserve juice from jar)
- 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice
Decoration
- Red decorating sugar (for sprinkling)
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, ¾ cup powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground silvered almonds thoroughly.
- Form Dough: Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the butter mixture, mixing until a uniform dough forms.
- Shape Cookies: Take about 1 tablespoon of dough, create a small indentation in the center, and place a halved maraschino cherry in the pit. Fold the dough over the cherry to form a ball, place it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and gently flatten the dough ball slightly to form the cookie shape.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-9 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on a wire rack.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice, and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk gradually to reach a smooth, dipping consistency.
- Ice Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, then flip them over and place on a wire rack. Immediately sprinkle with red decorating sugar for a festive finish.
Notes
- Ground silvered almonds can be made by pulsing almonds in a food processor until finely ground.
- Be careful not to overbake the cookies; they should be slightly golden at the edges when done.
- The glaze consistency should be thick enough to coat but thin enough to dip; adjust milk quantity accordingly.
- Red decorating sugar adds a festive touch and slight texture contrast to the glazed cookies.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Almond Cherry Cookies, cherry cookies, almond cookies, holiday cookies, baked cookies, cherry glaze
