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Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 109 reviews

Delight in these Almond Cherry Cookies, featuring a buttery almond-infused dough wrapped around sweet maraschino cherries, baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious cherry-almond frosting. Perfect for festive occasions or a charming teatime treat.

Ingredients

Scale

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 prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground slivered almonds. Gradually add this dry mixture into the creamed butter mixture, stirring until fully incorporated into a dough.
  4. Form Cookies: Take a tablespoon of dough and make a small indentation or pit in the center. Place half of a maraschino cherry into this pit, then fold the dough around the cherry to enclose it, shaping it into a ball.
  5. Prepare for Baking: Arrange the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out slightly. Gently flatten the tops a bit to shape the cookies evenly.
  6. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown, indicating they are set and baked through.
  7. Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the cookies onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  8. Make Frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, reserved maraschino cherry juice, and almond extract. Add milk one tablespoon at a time, stirring until the frosting reaches a smooth, dipping consistency.
  9. Decorate Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the frosting to coat. Place them back onto the wire rack.
  10. Finish Decoration: Immediately sprinkle red decorating sugar on top of the frosted cookies and allow the frosting to set before serving to achieve a lovely crunchy finish.

Notes

  • You can substitute slivered almonds with almond flour for a finer texture.
  • Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming.
  • Use parchment paper or silicone mats for non-stick baking surfaces.
  • Allow cookies to cool fully before frosting to prevent melting or sogginess.
  • For a more intense cherry flavor, increase the amount of cherry juice in the frosting slightly.

Keywords: Almond Cherry Cookies, Maraschino Cherry Cookies, Festive Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Almond Frosted Cookies, Cherry Frosting

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