Exquisite Cherry Butter Cookies: A Classic Recipe for Buttery, Almond-Infused Delights
Indulge in the timeless charm of these Cherry Butter Cookies, a delightful treat perfected with classic baking ingredients and crowned with a vibrant maraschino cherry. These aren’t just any cookies; they are exquisitely buttery crisp shortbread cookies that melt in your mouth, offering a symphony of flavors in every bite. Topped with a sweet, candied cherry, they create a festive and utterly delicious experience, perfect for holidays, special occasions, or simply to brighten an ordinary day.
Crafting these delectable maraschino cherry butter cookies is a surprisingly easy, straightforward, and quick process. You won’t spend hours in the kitchen, as the dough comes together in no time, requiring just a handful of essential ingredients. Beyond their simplicity, the flavor profile is truly what sets these cookies apart and makes them an instant favorite. The harmonious blend of sweet cherry and delicate almond in every crumbly bite is guaranteed to have you swooning from the very first taste. Prepare to impress your family and friends with a batch of these irresistible cookies.
What Makes Cherry Almond Butter Cookies So Special?
At their core, these are rich butter cookies, each featuring a delightful cherry nestled in the center. However, describing them as merely “butter cookies with a cherry” would be an understatement. These Italian-inspired cherry almond butter cookies are truly flavorful bites of heaven, elevating a simple concept into an extraordinary dessert. They are built upon a foundation of a buttery, crisp cookie that practically dissolves on your tongue, leaving behind a wonderful, subtle almond taste. You’ll find yourself falling deeply in love with the cookie’s texture and flavor long before you reach that perfectly sweet, candied maraschino cherry center. The slight hint of almond extract transforms the classic butter cookie into something more sophisticated and utterly addictive, making these a truly memorable treat for any cookie connoisseur.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cherry Butter Cookies
Creating these exquisite cookies requires a few pantry staples, each playing a crucial role in achieving that perfect buttery flavor and delicate texture. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Butter: You will need 2 cups of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. This is crucial for achieving a light and airy dough when creamed with sugar. Cold butter will not cream properly, resulting in a dense cookie.
- Granulated Sugar: 1 ⅓ cups of granulated sugar provides the perfect balance of sweetness and contributes to the cookies’ signature crispness and golden-brown edges.
- Eggs: Incorporate 2 large eggs, plus an additional egg yolk. The eggs bind the ingredients together, add richness, and help tenderize the cookie, while the extra yolk contributes to a beautiful golden hue and a chewier texture.
- Milk: 4 tablespoons of milk help achieve the ideal consistency for the cookie dough, making it smooth enough for piping without being too sticky or too stiff. Any milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work.
- Salt: Just 1 teaspoon of salt is vital to balance the sweetness and enhance all the other flavors in the cookies, preventing them from tasting flat.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract adds a warm, classic flavor that complements both the butter and almond notes beautifully. For an extra touch of sophistication, consider vanilla bean paste.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of these cookies is 4 cups plus ⅔ cups of all-purpose flour. Make sure to measure it correctly, preferably by weight, or by spooning it lightly into the measuring cup and leveling it off, to avoid a dry or tough cookie.
- Almond Extract: A small but mighty ¼ teaspoon of almond extract is what truly defines the flavor profile of these cookies. It provides that delicate, fragrant almond essence that pairs so wonderfully with cherries. Don’t skip it!
- Maraschino Cherries: You will need 12 maraschino cherries, drained well, to adorn the center of each cookie. Their vibrant color and sweet, candied taste are the perfect finishing touch.
How to Craft Your Own Cherry Butter Cookies
Follow these detailed steps to bake a batch of perfect cherry butter cookies:
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. Proper creaming incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ tender texture.
- Add Eggs: Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the 2 whole eggs and the extra egg yolk to the creamed mixture. Mix again on medium speed for about 15 seconds, just until combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
- Incorporate Liquids and Flavorings: Next, add the milk, salt, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat for another 10-15 seconds until all these ingredients are well integrated into the mixture. The dough should be smooth and cohesive.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Overmixing the flour can develop the gluten, leading to tough cookies, so stop as soon as no dry streaks remain.
- Introduce Almond Extract: Gently mix in the almond extract until it’s evenly distributed throughout the dough. The fragrant aroma will begin to emerge.
- Prepare for Piping: Spoon the prepared cookie dough into a sturdy piping bag fitted with a large star tip. A large star tip is ideal for creating the classic swirl shape and makes piping much easier.
- Pipe the Cookies: Hold the piping bag at a 90-degree angle directly above a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. In a counterclockwise motion, pipe out circular shapes, creating distinct swirls. Ensure that the cookies do not overlap or touch, giving them at least 2 inches of space between each other to prevent them from baking into one large cookie.
- Smooth the Tails: Use a clean, lightly floured finger to gently smooth out any little “tails” at the end of the piped cookie swirls. This ensures a neat, finished appearance.
- Add Cherries: Carefully place one well-drained maraschino cherry in the exact center of each piped cookie. Gently press it down slightly so it’s nestled securely.
- Chill the Dough: This is a crucial step for maintaining the cookie’s shape. Place the baking tray with the piped and cherry-adorned cookies into the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the butter solidify, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. For best results, consider chilling for up to 2 hours.
- Bake: Once the cookies are thoroughly chilled, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
- Cool and Serve: Carefully remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing them to cool fully ensures they firm up and achieve that desirable crisp texture. Once cooled, enjoy!
CHERRY BUTTER COOKIES
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 4 TBSP milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- 12 maraschino cherries drained
Instructions
-
Add the softened butter and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
-
Beat together on high speed for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is creamy, light, and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the 2 whole eggs and 1 egg yolk and beat for 15 seconds until just combined.
-
Next, add in the milk, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat together until well incorporated. Lastly, gradually add in the flour and mix on low speed until just combined and no dry streaks remain.
-
Gently mix the almond extract into the dough until evenly distributed.
-
Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Hold the piping bag at a 90-degree angle above a parchment-lined baking sheet.
-
Pipe circular cookies onto the parchment in a counterclockwise motion, ensuring not to touch or overlap any of the cookies. Leave at least 2 inches between each cookie. Use a clean, lightly floured finger to smooth the tail of the dough into the cookie for a neat finish.
-
Place a well-drained maraschino cherry into the center of each piped cookie, gently pressing it down.
-
Place the baking sheet into the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour (preferably 2 hours for best shape retention).
-
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the chilled sheet of cookies into the preheated oven to bake for 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
-
Once baked, remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your perfect cherry butter cookies!
Nutrition
Tips for Baking Perfect Cherry Butter Cookies
While the recipe is straightforward, a few key tips can ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time:
- Room Temperature Butter: This is critical! Softened butter creams with sugar much more effectively, incorporating air that makes your cookies light and tender. If your butter is too cold, it won’t cream properly; if it’s too warm, the dough can be greasy and spread excessively.
- Don’t Overmix the Flour: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, chewy cookies instead of the desired crisp, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Proper Piping Technique: Holding the piping bag at a 90-degree angle and applying even pressure helps create uniform, beautifully swirled cookies. Practice a few on an empty parchment sheet if you’re new to piping.
- Chilling is Non-Negotiable: The chilling step is essential. It allows the butter in the dough to firm up, which prevents the cookies from spreading out too much during baking. This ensures your cookies maintain their lovely piped shape and crisp texture. Don’t rush it!
- Even Baking: Bake one sheet of cookies at a time in the center of your oven for the most even heat distribution. If baking multiple sheets, rotate them halfway through.
- Drain Maraschino Cherries Well: Excess moisture from the cherries can make the cookie dough soggy around the center. Pat them dry with a paper towel before placing them on the cookies.
How Long Will Cherry Butter Cookies Last?
Proper storage is key to enjoying your homemade cherry butter cookies for as long as possible. These delightful treats can last up to a week if stored correctly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps maintain their crisp texture and keeps the butter fresh. If you prefer to store them at room temperature, ensure they are kept in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out. When stored at room temperature, they typically maintain their quality for up to two days. Always keep them away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
Can Cherry Butter Cookies Be Frozen?
Absolutely! These delicious butter cookies are excellent candidates for freezing, allowing you to enjoy them long after they’re baked. To freeze them, first ensure the cookies have cooled completely on a wire rack. Then, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze them for about 30 minutes until they are firm. Once firm, transfer the cookies to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty zip-top bag, layering them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply allow the cookies to thaw at room temperature for an hour or two before eating. They will taste just as fresh as the day they were baked!
Serving Suggestions and Variations
Cherry butter cookies are versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. They make a fantastic addition to a holiday cookie platter, a charming gift for friends and family, or a simple indulgence with your afternoon tea or coffee. For an extra touch of elegance, consider drizzling them with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a touch of milk or lemon juice after they have completely cooled. You could also experiment with different extracts, such as a hint of rosewater for a more floral note, or a dash of orange zest in the dough for a brighter flavor. For a more sophisticated look, use glacé cherries instead of maraschino cherries, or even a dollop of cherry jam in the center for a softer texture.
More Delicious Cherry Cookie Recipes to Try Soon
If you’ve fallen in love with the combination of cherry and cookie, you’re in luck! There are many other fantastic cherry-inspired cookie recipes to explore:
- CHERRY PIE COOKIES
- CHERRY JELLO COOKIES
- CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP NO BAKE COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE CHERRY COOKIES
- CHERRY ALMOND COOKIE BARS
- WHITE CHOCOLATE CHERRY OATMEAL COOKIES
- CHERRY CHOCOLATE COOKIES
- DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHERRY COOKIES
- CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- CHERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES
Beyond the kitchen, life is full of sweet moments, just like these cookies! Even the “big kids” in our lives need a chance to play and unwind. Here’s my oldest son enjoying some playtime – being a tween, especially a tall one, can be challenging, but I cherish every moment he gets to simply have fun. Finding joy in simple things, whether it’s baking or playing, is what makes life truly delightful.
So, go ahead and please your taste buds with this incredible cherry butter cookies recipe. Discover for yourself why these buttery, almond-kissed delights are generating so much rave. They are as easy to make as they are to fall in love with, promising a truly satisfying baking and eating experience. Enjoy the simple pleasure of homemade cookies!
