Irresistible Cherry Shortbread Cookies: Your Go-To Recipe for Buttery, Sweet Perfection
Prepare to fall in love with these delightful Cherry Shortbread Cookies! Each tender, buttery cookie encases a sweet, juicy maraschino cherry, creating a wonderful surprise with every bite. The classic shortbread texture, combined with the bright tang of cherry and a hint of almond, makes these cookies truly special. They’re not just a treat for the taste buds; their vibrant appearance makes them a beautiful addition to any dessert spread.
Crafting these exquisite maraschino cherry shortbread cookies is surprisingly simple, requiring only a handful of everyday ingredients and a bit of love. The result is a batch of irresistible “cherry bomb” cookies that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want to brighten a regular day, these cookies are a fantastic choice.
Why You’ll Adore These Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies
These cherry shortbread cookies offer a unique and memorable twist on a classic favorite. Unlike many cookies that rely on chocolate, these provide a refreshing, fruity alternative that is perfect for those who prefer lighter, sweet flavors. The delicate balance of rich, buttery shortbread with the sweet, slightly tangy maraschino cherry and a whisper of almond extract creates an extraordinary flavor profile.
They are incredibly versatile and suitable for a multitude of occasions. Imagine them as a charming treat for a holiday gathering, a thoughtful surprise for your Valentine, or an elegant addition to a baby shower. The “hidden cherry” aspect adds a playful element, making them even more enjoyable. There’s nothing quite like watching your loved ones discover the sweet, red surprise tucked inside each golden-baked cookie!
Baking shortbread from scratch might sound intimidating, but this recipe is designed to be straightforward and rewarding. With clear instructions and readily available ingredients, even novice bakers can achieve perfectly tender, flavorful cookies. The simple yet elegant presentation, especially with a drizzle of cherry icing, elevates these homemade treats to bakery-quality status.
Essential Ingredients for Your Hidden Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Creating perfect cherry almond shortbread cookies starts with quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
- Butter: You’ll need 1 cup (2 sticks) of softened unsalted butter. Butter is the star of any shortbread, providing that signature rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and incredible flavor. Ensure it’s properly softened to room temperature for optimal whipping and smooth dough consistency.
- Powdered Sugar: Using ½ cup of powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) instead of granulated sugar contributes to the cookies’ tender, delicate crumb. It also dissolves more easily, resulting in a smoother dough and a more refined sweetness.
- Cornstarch: Adding ¼ cup of cornstarch is a brilliant trick to achieve an extra tender, almost crumbly shortbread texture. It helps to soften the flour’s gluten, making the cookies wonderfully delicate.
- All-Purpose Flour: You’ll need 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour as the base of your cookie dough. Measure it correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly, to avoid adding too much flour, which can make cookies tough.
- Almond Extract: Just 1 teaspoon of almond extract works wonders in complementing the cherry flavor. Cherry and almond are a classic pairing, and this extract enhances the fruitiness beautifully, adding a layer of sophisticated taste.
- Maraschino Cherries: One jar of maraschino cherries is needed, along with 1 tablespoon of their liquid. The cherries are the delightful surprise filling, and the juice will be used for the vibrant icing. Make sure to drain and dry the cherries thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from affecting the cookie dough.
Ingredients for the Delicious Cherry Icing
A simple, vibrant icing adds a beautiful finish and an extra touch of cherry flavor to these shortbread delights:
- Powdered Sugar: ½ cup of powdered sugar forms the smooth base of the icing, providing sweetness and body.
- Melted Butter: 1 tablespoon of melted butter adds richness and helps create a creamy, luxurious consistency for the icing.
- Maraschino Cherry Juice: 1 tablespoon of juice from the maraschino cherry jar gives the icing its lovely pink hue and an intensified cherry flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Hidden Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Preparation is Key
A little prep work goes a long way in ensuring baking success:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking from the start.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray it with a non-stick cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
Crafting the Perfect Cookie Dough
The shortbread dough is the foundation of these cookies, so follow these steps carefully for that ideal tender texture:
- Begin by softening your butter. Place the 1 cup of butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 15-20 seconds until just softened, not melted.
- Transfer the softened butter to a large mixing bowl. Using a whisk, or preferably a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer, whip the butter for approximately 5 minutes. This step is crucial; whipping air into the butter until it’s light and fluffy, resembling whipped cream, is key to tender shortbread.
- While the butter is whipping, prepare your maraschino cherries. Lay about 20-25 cherries out on a napkin to dry. Gently press another napkin on top to absorb as much excess moisture as possible. This prevents the cherries from making your dough soggy.
- Once the butter is perfectly whipped, add the powdered sugar, almond extract, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour to the bowl. Whisk or mix on high speed for an additional 3-4 minutes until all ingredients are well combined and the dough is smooth.
Assembling Your Cherry Surprise Cookies
This is where the magic happens, transforming simple dough into delightful cherry bombs:
- A 1 tablespoon cookie scoop is highly recommended for this step, as shortbread dough is quite soft and buttery, making it challenging to shape by hand directly.
- Using your cookie scoop, scoop out a portion of the dough and level it off using the side of the bowl.
- Next, gently press your thumb into the center of the scooped, leveled dough, creating an indent.
- Place one of your dried maraschino cherries into this thumbprint and gently press it down.
- Using the dough that has collected on the sides of the scoop, carefully cover the top of the cherry, enclosing it completely.
- Push the lever to eject the cookie dough ball into your hand. Gently roll the dough in your palms to form a smooth, round ball, ensuring the cherry is fully concealed.
- Place each ball of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1-2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Repeat this process until all of your cookie dough has been used and you have a tray full of potential cherry surprises!
Baking to Golden Perfection
Baking shortbread requires a watchful eye to achieve the perfect texture:
- Carefully place your baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies begin to turn a light golden brown. Shortbread doesn’t usually brown much on top, so checking the underside is key.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for several minutes. Shortbread cookies are inherently soft and quite fragile immediately after baking. Trying to move them too soon can cause them to crack or fall apart. Allow them to set up slightly before transferring.
- After a few minutes on the pan, carefully transfer the cooled cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Luscious Cherry Icing
A simple drizzle of icing adds the perfect finishing touch:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, melted butter, and the tablespoon of maraschino cherry juice until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency by adding a tiny bit more juice or powdered sugar if needed.
- To make drizzling easy, place a plastic baggie over the top of a cup, then scrape the icing into the baggie.
- Snip a small piece off one corner of the baggie. Drizzle the vibrant pink icing artistically over the top of each cooled shortbread cookie.
- Allow the icing to set for a few minutes before serving. Then, share and savor these beautiful, buttery, and sweet treats!
Cherry Shortbread Cookie Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened [2 sticks, unsalted recommended]
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 jar maraschino cherries [plus 1 tbsp of liquid from the jar, for icing]
Cherry Icing Ingredients
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tbsp maraschino cherry juice
Instructions
Prep
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Cookie Dough Preparation
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Soften butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 15-20 seconds until just pliable, not melted.
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Transfer softened butter to a large mixing bowl. Whip with a whisk, stand mixer, or electric mixer for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy, resembling whipped cream.
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While butter whips, lay out 20-25 maraschino cherries on a napkin to dry. Gently press another napkin on top to absorb excess moisture.
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After whipping, add powdered sugar, almond extract, cornstarch, and flour to the butter. Whisk thoroughly or mix on high for 3-4 minutes until well combined into a smooth dough.
Assemble the Cookies
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Using a 1 TBSP cookie scoop (recommended for easy shaping of the soft dough), scoop out dough and level it with the side of the bowl.
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Press your thumb into the center of the scooped dough to create an indent.
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Place a dried cherry into the thumbprint and gently press down.
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Use the dough gathered on the scoop’s sides to cover the top of the cherry.
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Eject the dough from the scoop into your hand and gently roll it into a smooth ball, ensuring the cherry is fully enclosed.
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Place each dough ball onto the prepared baking sheet, about 1-2 inches apart.
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Repeat until all cookie dough is used.
Baking the Shortbread
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Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the bottom edges of the cookies are lightly browned. Tops will remain pale.
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Remove from oven and let cool on the baking pan for several minutes. Shortbread is fragile when warm; moving them too soon can cause breakage.
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Once slightly firmed, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.
Prepare Cherry Icing
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In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, and maraschino cherry juice until smooth.
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Place a plastic baggie over a cup and scrape the icing into the bag.
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Snip a small piece off the corner of the baggie and drizzle the icing over each cooled cookie. Let the icing set before serving.
Alternative: Shortbread without Hidden Cherries
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If you prefer not to have the cherry surprise center, that’s perfectly fine! Follow the cookie dough instructions above, then skip the cherry assembly steps and proceed as follows:
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Once the cookie dough is completely mixed, place it onto a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper.
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Using the plastic wrap, gently shape the dough into a log, approximately 1.5 inches thick. This dough is easy to shape.
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Place the cookie log into the freezer for 5-10 minutes. You want it chilled enough to slice easily, but not frozen solid.
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After chilling, unwrap the log and use a sharp, thin knife to slice the dough into uniform rounds.
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Arrange the sliced rounds on a cookie sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes as directed above.
Recipe Notes & Tips
Tip for perfectly dry cherries: After drying with napkins, you can also roll the cherries in a tiny bit of flour or powdered sugar before encasing them in dough. This creates an extra barrier against moisture and helps prevent the dough from getting too wet.
Don’t overmix: Once you add the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher cookies. The whipping of the butter is key for tenderness, not the mixing of the flour.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Variations and Serving Suggestions for Your Cherry Shortbread Cookies
What if I want the cherry bomb but not hidden inside?
That’s a fantastic idea for a beautiful presentation! Instead of fully enclosing the cherry within the dough, you can create a thumbprint-style cookie. Simply roll the dough into a ball and place it on your baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to create an indent in the center of each dough ball. Place a dried maraschino cherry directly into this indent. Bake as directed. The cherry will be visible, creating an equally stunning and delicious cookie.
Alternative Toppings for Your Shortbread
If you prefer not to use the cherry icing, there are several other delicious ways to finish these cookies:
- Powdered Sugar Dust: For a simple, elegant look and an extra touch of sweetness, dust the cooled cookies generously with powdered sugar.
- Festive Sprinkles: For holidays or celebrations, add some festive sprinkles to the wet icing before it sets, or simply press them onto the warm, un-iced cookies if you’re skipping the icing altogether.
- Melted White Chocolate: Drizzle with melted white chocolate for a lovely contrasting flavor and appearance.
- Chocolate Drizzle: A drizzle of melted semi-sweet or dark chocolate would also be delicious, especially with the cherry almond notes.
Storing and Freezing Your Delicious Cherry Shortbread Cookies
How do I store Hidden Cherry Cookies?
To keep your maraschino cherry shortbread cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, or for extended freshness, storing them in the refrigerator can help them last for about 5-7 days. Just make sure they are in a well-sealed container to prevent them from drying out.
Can you freeze Cherry Shortbread Cookies?
Absolutely! These cookies freeze exceptionally well, whether they’re plain or already decorated with icing. For best results, allow the icing to fully set before freezing. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply take them out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature. If they have a hidden cherry, allow extra time for the cherry to soften up inside before eating for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
While fresh cherries offer a lovely flavor, maraschino cherries are specifically chosen for their vibrant color, sweetness, and soft texture that holds up well during baking. If using fresh cherries, you would need to pit and then cook them down slightly to reduce moisture and enhance sweetness, as well as significantly dry them. This would alter the classic “maraschino cherry shortbread” profile and require more steps.
Why did my shortbread cookies spread too much?
Shortbread spreading too much can happen for a few reasons:
- Butter Temperature: If your butter was too warm or melted during the mixing process, the dough won’t hold its shape as well.
- Over-Creaming: While whipping butter is good, over-creaming with sugar can incorporate too much air, leading to excessive spread.
- Oven Temperature: An oven that’s not hot enough can cause cookies to spread before they set. Ensure your oven is accurately preheated.
- Excess Moisture: Undried cherries can release moisture into the dough, contributing to spread.
My cookies are tough, what went wrong?
Tough cookies are usually a sign of too much flour or overworking the dough. When adding the flour to your butter mixture, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which leads to a chewy rather than tender shortbread. Always measure your flour accurately!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can! You can prepare the dough, form it into balls (with or without cherries), and refrigerate it for up to 2-3 days, or freeze it for up to a month. If refrigerating, let the dough come to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before baking. If freezing, you can bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
These cherry shortbread cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a simple joy to bake and share. The ease of preparation, combined with their irresistible flavor and charming appearance, makes them a recipe you’ll want to revisit time and again. Don’t hesitate to whip up a batch and watch them disappear!
Life is full of sweet moments, much like these cookies! We love creating memories with our family, whether it’s baking together in the kitchen or visiting fun places. This interactive aquarium, where two of my kids are enjoying a “fish cleansing,” is one of our favorites. It always brings big smiles and funny sensations!
More Delicious Cherry Recipes to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with the delightful flavor of cherries in these shortbread cookies, you’re in for a treat! We have many other cherry-inspired recipes that are sure to please. From rich chocolate pairings to fruity desserts, there’s a cherry recipe for every craving:
- Chocolate Cherry Brownie Bites: Fudgy brownies with bursts of cherry goodness.
- Cherry Jelly Hearts Candy: Sweet, chewy, and perfect for sharing.
- Cherry Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie: A decadent and creamy dessert.
- Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: A classic cookie with a fruity twist.
- White Chocolate Cherry Cheesecakes: Individual cheesecakes bursting with flavor.
- Cherry Party Punch: A refreshing drink for any celebration.
- Cherry Pie Cookies: All the flavor of cherry pie in a portable cookie form.
- Cherry Jello Cookie: Fun, colorful, and surprisingly delicious.
- Cherry Chocolate Chip No Bake Cookies: Quick and easy, no oven required!
- Cherry Almond Cookie Bars: Simple to make and perfect for a crowd.
Don’t hesitate to make this maraschino cherry shortbread cookie recipe. Whip up a batch today and discover just how incredibly delicious and easy they are to prepare!
