Christmas Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Christmas is the perfect time to indulge in sweet, buttery treats, and these Christmas Cherry Shortbread Cookies are just the thing to bring holiday cheer to your kitchen. These cookies combine the classic buttery richness of shortbread with the bright, tart flavor of maraschino cherries, making them a festive and delicious addition to your holiday cookie platter. The soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture of shortbread pairs perfectly with the chewy bits of cherries, and the light sprinkle of granulated sugar adds a hint of sweetness and sparkle. Whether you’re making them for a Christmas party, gift-giving, or simply enjoying a cozy moment by the fire, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

In just a few simple steps, you can create these beautiful cookies that are as delightful to eat as they are to look at. With their vibrant red cherry accents, they also add a pop of color to your holiday cookie spread. Plus, they’re quick to make, requiring only 30 minutes from start to finish. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to add a personal, homemade touch to their holiday celebrations without spending hours in the kitchen. Once you bake a batch of these cherry shortbread cookies, you’ll want to make them a yearly tradition!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s so much to love about these Christmas Cherry Shortbread Cookies. First, the texture is a dream—crisp on the outside, tender and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside. The combination of maraschino cherries and almond extract gives these cookies a beautiful balance of tartness and sweetness, while the shortbread base provides the perfect rich, buttery foundation.

These cookies are also incredibly easy to make, making them an ideal choice for both novice and experienced bakers. The dough comes together in just a few minutes, and there’s no complicated shaping required. The addition of the cherries gives them a festive look, making them perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or as a homemade gift.

Lastly, they have a wonderfully light sweetness that pairs beautifully with hot cocoa, coffee, or even a glass of milk, making them an irresistible treat during the holiday season. They also make a great batch for sharing, as they yield about two dozen cookies, perfect for large gatherings or for wrapping up in a festive box for loved ones.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Salt
• Almond extract
• All-purpose flour
• Maraschino cherries, chopped
• Granulated sugar for rolling

Variations

These Christmas Cherry Shortbread Cookies can easily be modified to suit your tastes or dietary preferences:

• Chocolate Chips: Add some mini chocolate chips to the dough for a chocolatey contrast that pairs wonderfully with the cherries.
• Other Fruit: If you prefer a different fruit, dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots could be delicious alternatives to maraschino cherries.
• Lemon Zest: For a citrus twist, add a bit of lemon zest to the dough to complement the cherries’ tartness.
• Nutty Shortbread: If you enjoy a crunchier cookie, fold in some chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for extra texture and flavor.
• Glazed: For an extra sweet touch, drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze over the cooled cookies or dip the edges in chocolate.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer or beat by hand until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and well combined.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Add the salt, almond extract, and flour to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until everything is well incorporated, forming a soft dough.

Step 4: Fold in the Cherries

Gently fold the chopped maraschino cherries into the dough, ensuring they’re evenly distributed without overworking the dough.

Step 5: Shape the Dough

Take tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar for a sweet, sparkling finish.

Step 6: Flatten the Balls

Place the dough balls onto a baking sheet, leaving space between them. Flatten each ball gently with a fork, creating a crisscross pattern on top.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.

Step 8: Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Butter Temperature: Be sure to soften the butter before creaming it with the sugar. Room temperature butter will mix better, resulting in a smoother dough.
• Chill the Dough: If the dough feels too soft to work with, chill it for about 30 minutes before rolling into balls. This will help the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
• Don’t Overmix: When adding the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies, so be gentle when folding in the cherries.
• Parchment Paper: For easy cleanup and to prevent sticking, line your baking sheet with parchment paper before placing the dough balls on it.
• Even Sizing: Use a cookie scoop to ensure each dough ball is the same size, which will help them bake evenly.

How to Serve

These Christmas Cherry Shortbread Cookies are the perfect treat for any holiday celebration. Serve them as part of a festive cookie platter, or enjoy them as a snack with a warm drink like hot chocolate or mulled wine. They also make excellent gifts when wrapped in a decorative tin or cellophane bag with a festive ribbon. For a simple yet elegant touch, serve them alongside a cup of coffee or tea during a cozy afternoon with friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. This will keep them fresh and maintain their tender texture.

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully! To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and store them for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature.

Reheating

Since these cookies are already baked, there’s no need to reheat them. Simply take them out of storage and let them come to room temperature before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I use salted butter for this recipe?

It’s best to use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in the cookies. However, if you only have salted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe.

2. Can I use other types of cherries?

If you don’t have maraschino cherries, you can use dried cherries, but be sure to chop them finely so they blend well with the dough.

3. Can I make these cookies without almond extract?

Yes, you can omit the almond extract if you prefer. Vanilla extract would work well as a substitute for a more neutral flavor.

4. How can I make the cookies more festive?

Try adding red and green sprinkles on top of the cookies before baking, or drizzle them with melted white chocolate after they’ve cooled for a more festive look.

5. Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe can easily be doubled if you need more cookies for a large gathering or gift-giving.

6. Do I have to roll the dough in sugar?

Rolling the dough in sugar gives the cookies a lovely sweet coating, but you can skip this step if you prefer a less sugary cookie.

7. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Ensure your dough is firm enough before baking. If necessary, chill the dough for 30 minutes to prevent excessive spreading.

8. Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, you can freeze the dough before baking. Roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, and then store them in a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen when you’re ready.

9. Can I use gluten-free flour for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.

10. Can I use regular cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

While regular cherries could work, maraschino cherries give these cookies a unique sweetness and vibrant color, which may be hard to replicate with fresh cherries.

Conclusion

These Christmas Cherry Shortbread Cookies are a delightful and festive treat that will add a burst of color and flavor to your holiday celebrations. With their buttery texture, sweet maraschino cherries, and simple preparation, they’re sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange or simply enjoying them with family and friends, these cookies are a perfect way to celebrate the season. So go ahead and whip up a batch of these delicious cookies—they’ll quickly become a holiday tradition!

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