Description
Soft and sweet Cherry Almond Cookies with chewy cherry bits and creamy almond flavor a perfect Valentine’s Day treat that’s easy to make and even easier to love.
Ingredients
1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, with 1–2 tablespoons juice reserved
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup white chocolate melting wafers (optional)
Instructions
1. Drain and chop cherries into small pieces, then pat them dry on paper towels.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy.
4. Add sugar and beat again until light and airy.
5. Mix in egg, almond extract, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon cherry juice (2 tablespoons for stronger flavor).
6. Slowly add dry ingredients on low speed until combined.
7. Fold in dried chopped cherries.
8. Chill dough for at least 1 hour.
9. Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
10. Scoop 2-tablespoon portions of dough onto prepared sheets.
11. Bake for 10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
12. Cool on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
13. If using, melt white chocolate, drizzle over cooled cookies, and let set until firm.
Notes
Do not use fresh cherries, as they release too much moisture and change the texture.
Dry maraschino cherries thoroughly before adding.
Avoid overbaking; cookies continue to bake slightly after removal from the oven.
You can replace the white chocolate drizzle with pink icing or sliced almonds.
For variation, add 1 cup of white or semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chili time +Cool time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Valentine’s Day Recipes
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 119
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 63mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 21mg