Almond Cherry Cookies with Cherry Frosting Recipe
These Almond Cherry Cookies combine a tender, buttery cookie dough with the bright flavor of maraschino cherries and a smooth almond-flavored frosting. Ground slivered almonds add a delightful texture, while the cherry frosting topped with red decorating sugar gives these cookies a festive look, perfect for holiday treats or any special occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies:
- 3/4 cup slivered almonds (ground)
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces jar maraschino cherries (halved, reserve 1 teaspoon juice)
- Red decorating sugar
Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, ensuring an even texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground slivered almonds. Gradually add the dry ingredient mix into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly until the dough is fully combined and uniform.
- Form Cookies: Take a tablespoon of the dough and create a small indentation in the center. Place half of a maraschino cherry into the pit, then carefully fold the dough around the cherry to form a smooth ball, encasing the fruit inside.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the dough balls spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball slightly with your hand or the back of a spoon to help with even baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the edges just start turning golden brown, indicating they are cooked through but remain tender.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Make Frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, reserved maraschino cherry juice, and almond extract. Gradually add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting achieves a smooth, dipping consistency perfect for coating the cookies.
- Decorate Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the frosting, then place them back on the wire rack.
- Add Final Touch: Sprinkle the frosting-coated cookies with red decorating sugar. Allow the frosting to set completely before serving to ensure a beautiful finish and delicious texture.
Notes
- Reserve a teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice to flavor the frosting for authentic cherry taste.
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better dough texture.
- Use parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and promote easy cleanup.
- Do not overbake; the cookies are best when edges are just golden and centers remain soft.
- Allow frosting to set completely before stacking or storing the cookies to avoid smudging.
Keywords: Almond Cherry Cookies, maraschino cherry cookies, almond cookies, holiday cookies, frosted cookies, buttery cookies, soft cookies
