Best Valentines Day Cherry Cookies | Soft & Sweet Treats

There’s something special about the scent of cherries and chocolate mingling in a warm kitchen on a February evening. These Best Valentines Day Cherry Cookies bring that moment to life buttery, soft, and kissed with sweetness. Each bite holds a chewy cherry surprise under a smooth chocolate center, making them the perfect love-filled treat to bake and share.

Why These Are the Best Valentines Day Cherry Cookies

These cookies strike a perfect balance of texture and taste. The buttery dough stays soft while the maraschino cherries add juicy bursts of flavor. Almond and vanilla extracts create an aromatic depth that pairs beautifully with chocolate kisses. Also, their natural pink hue makes them festive without much effort. They’re easy to make, reliable, and simply gorgeous on any Valentine’s dessert table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Key Ingredients and What They Do

Butter: Brings rich flavor and keeps the cookies soft. Use room-temperature butter for a smooth, fluffy base.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens while giving the dough a fine, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Flour and baking powder: Create structure and a light lift.
Maraschino cherries and juice: Add color, flavor, and moisture. The cherry juice gives a rosy tint.
Vanilla and almond extracts: Together they bring a delicate sweetness that complements the cherries.
Food coloring: Optional, but helps achieve a romantic pink tone.
Chocolate kisses: The centerpiece press one into each cookie for a perfect finish.

Substitutions and Variations

You can use margarine or shortening in place of butter, though the flavor changes slightly. Try different chocolate kisses dark, white, or caramel-filled. Skip food coloring for a more natural look or use beet powder for a soft blush tone. Swap almond extract for extra vanilla if preferred. Each small change shifts the flavor but keeps the joy intact.

How to Make the Best Valentines Day Cherry Cookies Step by Step

Prepare Ingredients and Mix the Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Chop the maraschino cherries and set them aside with a bit of juice. Keep the chocolate kisses in the fridge so they stay firm.
In a large bowl, cream butter, powdered sugar, salt, and baking powder until fluffy. Then add cherry juice, vanilla, almond extract, and food coloring. Mix well until smooth. Gradually stir in 2 cups of flour until the dough starts coming together. Fold in the chopped cherries with the remaining flour until fully combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky. Chill it for about 10 minutes.

Shape, Bake, and Add the Chocolate Center

Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them an inch apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges set but centers remain soft. Remove from the oven and quickly press a cold chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. Let them sit for 2 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool. Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes to set the chocolate perfectly.

Tips for Perfect Best Valentines Day Cherry Cookies Every Time

Dry your cherries thoroughly before mixing them in to prevent a wet dough. Always chill the dough briefly to control spreading. Use room-temperature butter so the dough blends evenly. If the cookies look too pale, add a touch more cherry juice or a drop of red food coloring. For best texture, don’t overbake they’ll finish setting as they cool.

Flavor, Texture, and Serving Ideas

Expect a soft, chewy cookie with buttery richness and a cherry-almond sweetness. The chocolate center adds smooth contrast in each bite. Serve them with a glass of milk, a mug of hot cocoa, or next to Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake Perfect for Cozy Occasions for a comforting dessert spread. For a playful Valentine’s platter, pair them with Cookie Monster Cookies Kids Will Love or Valentine-Ready Fudgy Homemade Brownies.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing Guide

These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Freeze baked cookies for up to three months, though it’s best to freeze them before adding the chocolate kiss. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake them straight from the freezer just add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.

Recipe Time, Yield, and Difficulty

This recipe takes about 40–55 minutes total: 20–30 minutes to prep and 10–15 minutes to bake. You’ll get roughly 24 cookies. It’s a medium-difficulty recipe simple steps but a few details to watch, like dough consistency and timing for the chocolate center.

Nutrition Breakdown

For the full batch, expect around 3100–3350 calories total, with about 18–24 grams of protein, 145–160 grams of fat, and 440–470 grams of carbohydrates. They’re rich but worth every bite, especially when shared.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Such Recipes

• Salted Butterscotch Cookies for Sweet Holiday Gifting
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies for Seasonal Celebrations
• Soft Gingerbread Cookies for a Festive Cookie Tray
• Easy No-Bake Chocolate Oreo Lasagna for Dessert Platters

Conclusion

These Best Valentines Day Cherry Cookies turn a handful of simple ingredients into something heartfelt. Their soft texture, cherry sparkle, and chocolate center make them perfect for gifting or enjoying at home. Bake a batch, share a few, and keep some to enjoy with your favorite warm drink. Love tastes sweet and it smells like cherry butter cookies.

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