Perfect Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe: Sweet Homemade Treats

Maraschino cherry cookies burst with vibrant color and nostalgic charm, converting ordinary baking into a delightful culinary adventure.

Sweet, delicate baked goods rarely capture childhood memories quite like these vivid treats.

Delicate pale dough becomes a canvas for ruby-red cherries, creating visual and flavor magic.

Soft textures and bright fruit pieces make these cookies irresistibly appealing to both young and mature palates.

Rich butter undertones complement the tangy cherry essence, generating a harmonious blend of sweet and zesty notes.

Baking enthusiasts adore how these simple ingredients create something truly extraordinary.

Prepare to elevate your dessert game with a cookie that promises pure happiness.

Tips for Perfect Maraschino Cherry Cookies

• Drain Cherries Thoroughly: Pat maraschino cherries completely dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy.
• Chill Dough Before Baking: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes to help prevent spreading and maintain a perfect shape.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and egg are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Handle Dough Gently: Mix flour just until combined to keep cookies tender and avoid developing tough gluten.
• Customize Decoration: Drizzle melted white chocolate or dust with powdered sugar for an elegant final touch that enhances visual appeal.

Storing and Reheating Maraschino Cherry Cookies

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. These delicate treats will keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, maintaining their soft texture and sweet cherry flavor.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies can last up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy these delightful treats whenever a craving strikes.
• Reheat: Bring frozen or refrigerated cookies to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. For a warm, just-baked feel, gently reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes, which will restore their soft, tender crumb and enhance the maraschino cherry's vibrant taste.

Pairing Maraschino Cherry Cookies with Ice Cream

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Latte: The rich, buttery cookie perfectly complements the smooth, velvety coffee, balancing the sweet cherry notes with the warmth of espresso.
• Match with Sparkling Rosé Wine: The delicate bubbles and light fruity undertones of rosé enhance the cookie's cherry flavor, creating a delightful dessert experience.
• Serve alongside Almond Whipped Cream: A dollop of light, nutty whipped cream adds a luxurious texture that highlights the cookie's delicate sweetness and cherry essence.
• Combine with Champagne Cocktail: The crisp, effervescent drink cuts through the cookie's richness, while its subtle sweetness echoes the maraschino cherry's bright flavor.

Fun Variations of Maraschino Cherry Cookies

• Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: Replace half the cherries with mini chocolate chips for a rich, decadent flavor combination.
• Almond Maraschino Cookies: Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking for a nutty crunch.
• Lemon Maraschino Cookies: Incorporate 1 tablespoon of lemon zest into the dough and drizzle with a light lemon glaze after cooling for a citrusy bright note.
• White Chocolate Drizzled Cookies: Melt white chocolate and drizzle over cooled cookies for an elegant, sweet finish that complements the cherry flavor.

Maraschino Cherry Cookies: Sweet, Tart, and Fun

• Burst with Sweet Cherry Charm: These cookies deliver a delightful pop of maraschino cherry flavor in every bite, creating a perfect balance between buttery softness and fruity brightness.
• Quick and Easy Weekend Baking: Whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients, making them ideal for spontaneous baking sessions or last-minute dessert cravings.
• Visually Stunning Treat: The bright red cherry halves nestled on top of golden cookies create an eye-catching presentation that's sure to impress family and friends at gatherings or potlucks.
• Indulgent Texture Sensation: Experience a melt-in-your-mouth texture combining rich butter, delicate crumble, and juicy cherry pieces that make each cookie a luxurious small pleasure.

Key Ingredients for Maraschino Cherry Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base and helps create soft cookie texture with smooth melting quality.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and creates delicate, tender cookie crumb with smooth consistency.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to cookie structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet aromatic notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential base for cookie structure with light and tender texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, airy interior.

• Maraschino Cherries: Bright red cherries that add sweet, fruity flavor and colorful visual appeal to cookies, with preserved candied texture.

How to Make Maraschino Cherry Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F to create the perfect baking environment for these delightful cookies.

Step 2: Whip Up the Base

Cream together softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and wonderfully fluffy.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until all ingredients blend seamlessly.

Step 4: Create the Cookie Dough

• Flour
• Baking powder

Stir until the mixture just comes together, being careful not to overmix.

Step 5: Introduce the Cherry Magic

Gently fold chopped maraschino cherries into the cookie dough, distributing them evenly throughout.

Step 6: Shape and Decorate

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your baking sheets. Press a halved maraschino cherry into the center of each cookie for a beautiful finishing touch.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Look for golden edges as your signal that the cookies are ready.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Transfer the cookies to wire racks and let them cool completely. This allows them to set and develop their full, delicious flavor.

Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Maraschino cherry cookies bring sweet nostalgia from Italian-American bakeries with their delicate pink-speckled charm. Buttery shortbread rounds studded with chopped cherries promise a delightful crunch you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies Base Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) butter, softened
• 2 ¼ cups (281 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup (75 grams) maraschino cherries, chopped

Decoration Ingredients:

• 24 maraschino cherries, halved

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring a consistent temperature for even baking.
2. Using an electric mixer, whip unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
3. Incorporate the egg and pure vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to develop a rich, cohesive batter.
4. Sift the all-purpose flour and baking powder into the wet ingredients, gently mixing until just combined to prevent overworking the dough.
5. Carefully dice the maraschino cherries into small, uniform pieces and tenderly fold them throughout the cookie dough, distributing the vibrant fruit evenly.
6. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy release and optimal cookie formation.
7. Scoop rounded tablespoons (15 milliliters) of dough onto the prepared sheets, leaving approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) between each cookie.
8. Gently press a halved maraschino cherry into the center of each cookie, creating a decorative and flavorful topping.
9. Position the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for golden edges as an indicator of perfect doneness.
10. Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to wire cooling racks to achieve complete cooling and optimal texture.

Notes

• Refrigerate leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, buttery texture.
• Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly on paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy.
• Chop cherries into small pieces for even distribution throughout the cookie dough.
• Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother mixing and better cookie consistency.
• Dust cookies with additional powdered sugar after cooling for an extra touch of sweetness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 30mg