Irresistible Cherry Pie Cookies: Your New Favorite Dessert for Any Occasion
Craving the comforting taste of homemade cherry pie but short on time? Our **Cherry Pie Cookies** offer the perfect solution! These delightful treats capture all the beloved flavors of classic cherry pie, transforming them into convenient, bite-sized cookie cups. Imagine soft, buttery sugar cookies, generously filled with luscious sweet cherries, and finished with an elegant drizzle of white chocolate. They’re incredibly easy to make, utterly delicious, and sure to become a cherished addition to your recipe collection. Whether for a holiday gathering, a casual dessert, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these cookies are a true crowd-pleaser.
The inspiration for these Cherry Pie Cookies struck during a moment of intense craving for a warm, fruity cherry pie. However, the thought of preparing a full pie crust felt a bit daunting at the time. That’s when inspiration hit: why not combine the beloved flavors of cherry pie with the simplicity of a perfect sugar cookie? Using a beloved recipe for Super Soft Sugar Cookies as the foundation, we adapted it to create these charming cookie cups. The result is a dessert that’s not only incredibly easy to prepare but also stunningly delicious. They possess a tender texture, a vibrant cherry filling, and a touch of sweetness from the white chocolate drizzle, making them an ideal treat for any occasion, from a festive holiday table to a cozy weeknight dessert. Get ready to bake and enjoy!
Essential Tips for Baking Flawless Cherry Pie Cookies
Achieving perfectly shaped and consistently delicious cherry pie cookies is simpler than you might think. A few key kitchen tools can significantly speed up the process and ensure outstanding results every time. These items are truly game-changers for baking projects like these cookie cups.
- Mini Muffin Tin: This is arguably the most crucial item for creating the signature cookie cup shape. Baking the cookie dough in a mini muffin tin allows each cookie to form a perfect, individual cup, ready to cradle its sweet cherry filling. Ensure you lightly grease or spray your muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the baked cookies. This little pan makes all the difference in achieving that adorable, pie-like presentation.
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer: While a hand mixer can certainly get the job done, a KitchenAid mixer (or similar stand mixer) makes preparing the cookie dough incredibly fast and efficient. I personally adore mine and find it indispensable for cookie recipes. The paddle attachment, which comes standard with most mixers, is perfect for creaming butter and sugar, then incorporating other ingredients uniformly. This ensures a smooth, well-mixed dough without overworking it, leading to tender cookies. Investing in a quality stand mixer is highly recommended for any avid baker – it’s one of those small appliances you’ll use constantly!
- Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop is an absolute must-have for consistent sizing and quick portioning. Since these cookies are baked in a mini muffin tin, achieving a perfect “round” shape isn’t the primary concern, but uniform sizing is. Using a scoop ensures that each cookie cup receives the same amount of dough, which leads to even baking. This also significantly speeds up the process of filling the muffin tin. Cookie scoops typically come in various sizes; for these cherry pie cookies, a medium scoop (around 1.5 to 2 tablespoons) is ideal, creating a well-proportioned cup that can hold plenty of cherry filling.
General Cookie Baking Advice for Success
Beyond the tools, a few fundamental baking principles will elevate your cherry pie cookies:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Always ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly with the sugar, creating an emulsified mixture that traps air, resulting in a lighter, fluffier cookie texture.
- Measure Flour Correctly: For best results, spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping flour directly from the bag can compact it, leading to too much flour and a dry, dense cookie.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make your cookies tough instead of tender. A smooth, cohesive dough is what you’re aiming for.
- Baking Time Matters: Keep a close eye on your cookies while they bake. Oven temperatures can vary, and a minute or two can make a big difference. You want the edges to be lightly golden, and the centers to be set but still soft.
Cherry Pie Cookie Recipe Ingredients Breakdown
Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture for these delightful cookie cups. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to make our Cherry Pie Cookies:
Granulated Sugar (1 cup): This is the primary sweetener for our cookies, ensuring they turn out wonderfully sweet and contributes to a crisp edge and golden-brown color during baking.
Softened Butter (1/2 cup): Butter is essential for richness and flavor. Softened butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating air pockets that contribute to a tender crumb. Always use unsalted butter for better control over the salt content in your baking.
Large Egg (1): The egg acts as a binder, holding the dough ingredients together, adding moisture, and helping the cookies achieve a slightly chewy texture. It also contributes to the overall structure.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): A staple in most cookie recipes, vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the dough, providing a warm, aromatic foundation that complements the tartness of the cherries beautifully.
Sour Cream (1/3 cup): This secret ingredient is what gives these cookies their incredibly moist, tender texture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. The acidity in sour cream also reacts with the baking soda, promoting a soft and airy crumb.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Salt is a crucial flavor enhancer in baking. It balances the sweetness of the sugar and cherries, making all the flavors pop and preventing the cookies from tasting bland.
Baking Soda (1/2 teaspoon): As a leavening agent, baking soda helps the cookies rise and puff up as they bake, contributing to their lovely, soft texture. It works in conjunction with the acidic sour cream.
All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): Flour provides the main structure for the cookie dough. All-purpose flour is versatile and perfect for achieving a good balance between tenderness and chewiness in these cookie cups.
Cherry Pie Filling (1 can, 21oz or similar): This is the star of our cookies! A good quality canned cherry pie filling offers convenience and consistent flavor, providing that classic sweet and slightly tart cherry taste that defines a cherry pie. You’ll want to gently break down any large cherry clusters with a fork once transferred to a bowl for easier filling.
Optional: White Chocolate, for drizzling on top: A drizzle of melted white chocolate adds an extra layer of sweetness and a beautiful visual appeal, perfectly complementing the red cherry filling. It’s a fantastic finishing touch!
Enjoy the baking process!
Cherry Pie Cookies
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Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookie Cups:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling & Drizzle:
- 1 can cherry pie filling (approx. 21 oz)
- Optional: White chocolate for drizzling on top (about 1/4 cup white chocolate chips or candy melts, melted)
Instructions
Preparation Steps:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a mini muffin tin by lightly spraying each cup with cooking spray to ensure the cookies don’t stick.
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In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy (this usually takes 2-3 minutes). Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
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In a separate small bowl, combine the sour cream, salt, and baking soda. Stir gently until well mixed. Add this sour cream mixture to the butter mixture, then gradually add the all-purpose flour, beating on low speed until the dough is just smooth and fully combined. Be careful not to overmix once the flour is added.
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Using a 1.5-2 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough and place one scoop into each mini muffin cup. There’s no need to roll or shape the dough perfectly; it will settle and bake beautifully into a cup shape.
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Bake the cookies for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. Keep a close watch towards the end of the baking time to prevent them from over-browning. {If they start to brown too much, remove them from the oven immediately.}
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Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, use a small measuring spoon (like a 1/2 teaspoon or even a clean thimble) or the back of a rounded spoon to gently press into the middle of each cookie cup. This creates a perfect indentation for the cherry pie filling. Be careful not to push all the way through the bottom of the cookie.
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Allow the cookies to cool in the mini muffin pan for 10-15 minutes. This cooling time helps them firm up slightly, making them easier to remove without breaking. Then, gently run a thin knife or offset spatula around the sides of each cookie to help release them from the pan. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Open the can of cherry pie filling and transfer it to a small bowl. Use a fork to gently break up any large clumps of cherries, if desired, for easier portioning. Carefully fill the center of each cooled cookie cup with a generous spoonful of cherry pie filling.
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If desired, melt white chocolate (either in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth, or over a double boiler). Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the tops of the filled cherry pie cookies for a beautiful and delicious finishing touch. Serve and enjoy your delightful homemade treats!
Nutrition
How to Store Cherry Pie Cookies for Freshness
Proper storage is key to keeping your Cherry Pie Cookies tasting their best. Due to the moist cherry pie filling, these cookies are best stored in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other odors from the fridge. They will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days when refrigerated.
If you plan to make these cookies ahead for an event, they can be fully made and assembled up to 8-12 hours prior to serving. For longer storage, it’s best to bake the cookie cups first, cool them completely, and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or freeze them for up to a month. Then, add the cherry pie filling and white chocolate drizzle just before you intend to serve them. This prevents the cookie cups from becoming soggy from prolonged contact with the filling. You can even freeze the unbaked dough balls in the muffin tin, then transfer to a freezer bag and bake from frozen (adding a few minutes to the bake time) whenever a craving strikes!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Cherry Pie Cookies
These Cherry Pie Cookies aren’t just a dessert; they’re an experience! Here’s why they’re destined to become a staple in your baking repertoire:
- Effortless Elegance: They look incredibly impressive, yet are surprisingly simple to make. You get the sophisticated appeal of a pie with the ease of a cookie.
- Perfect Portion Control: Each cookie is an individual serving, making them ideal for parties, potlucks, or portion-controlled treats. No slicing a messy pie required!
- All the Flavor, Less the Fuss: You get that classic sweet and tart cherry pie flavor without the complexities of rolling out and crimping a traditional pie crust. The soft sugar cookie base is a delightful alternative to pastry.
- Versatile & Customizable: While cherry is classic, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for other fruit fillings (peach, apple, blueberry!) or different drizzles (dark chocolate, caramel).
- Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: Both children and adults adore these cookies. They’re fun to eat and impossible to resist, making them a hit at any gathering.
Variations & Customizations to Explore
While the classic Cherry Pie Cookie is perfect as is, don’t hesitate to get creative! Here are some ideas to customize your cookies:
- Different Fruit Fillings: Experiment with other canned pie fillings like apple, blueberry, peach, or even a mixed berry. Each will offer a unique and delicious twist.
- Chocolate Drizzle Alternatives: Instead of white chocolate, try a drizzle of melted milk chocolate or dark chocolate. A sprinkle of mini chocolate chips on top would also be fantastic.
- Lemon Zest Boost: Add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to your cookie dough for a brighter, more citrusy flavor that beautifully complements the cherries.
- Almond Extract: A hint of almond extract (1/2 teaspoon) in the cookie dough can enhance the cherry flavor, as almond and cherry are a classic pairing.
- Spiced Dough: For a warmer, autumnal feel, add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the cookie dough.
- Crunchy Topping: Before or after filling, sprinkle a few toasted slivered almonds or finely chopped pecans on top for added texture.
- Cream Cheese Frosting Swirl: Instead of a white chocolate drizzle, pipe a small swirl of cream cheese frosting on top of the cherry filling for an extra decadent touch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Pie Cookies
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?
While you can use fresh cherries, you’ll need to prepare them into a pie filling first. This involves pitting and simmering the cherries with sugar, cornstarch (or flour), and a little water or lemon juice until thickened. Using canned pie filling is much simpler and ensures the right consistency for the cookie cups.
How do I prevent the cookies from sticking to the muffin tin?
Always spray your mini muffin tin thoroughly with cooking spray. For extra security, you can also dust the sprayed tin lightly with flour. Make sure to let the cookies cool in the pan for the recommended 10-15 minutes before attempting to remove them; this allows them to firm up.
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Prepare the cookie dough as directed, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. You can also scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to a month. Thaw slightly before pressing into the muffin tin, or bake from frozen (adding a few extra minutes to the baking time).
What if I don’t have a mini muffin tin?
While the mini muffin tin creates the ideal “cup” shape, you can still make these as drop cookies. Simply scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, bake as directed, and then use the back of a spoon to create an indentation immediately after baking. The shape might not be as uniform, but the taste will still be amazing!
How do I melt white chocolate for drizzling?
White chocolate can be melted gently in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until smooth. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler over simmering water, stirring until melted. Be careful not to overheat white chocolate, as it can seize.
Serving Suggestions for Your Cherry Pie Cookies
These delightful cookies are fantastic on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with other treats. Here are some serving suggestions:
- With a Scoop of Ice Cream: A small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a complementary flavor like cherry or almond ice cream makes for an extra special dessert.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a luxurious, light touch.
- Coffee or Tea: These cookies are the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or an afternoon tea.
- Holiday Platters: Their festive red and white colors make them a stunning addition to any holiday dessert spread, especially for Christmas or Valentine’s Day.
- Potlucks and Picnics: Easy to transport and serve, they’re a great choice for shared meals.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting, these Cherry Pie Cookies are a rewarding and relatively simple project. They combine the best of both worlds – the classic, comforting flavor of cherry pie and the convenience of a cookie. So go ahead, whip up a batch and delight your family and friends with these charming, delicious treats!