Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe
Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies are a delightful blend of sweet, tart maraschino cherries and nutty almonds, baked into tender, buttery cookies. Enhanced with vanilla and almond extracts, these cookies offer a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Easy to prepare and optionally glazed for a sweet finish, they make a wonderful treat for any occasion.
- Author: Cara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup chopped maraschino cherries
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
Optional Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the granulated sugar and softened butter together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough. Fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and sliced almonds carefully.
- Form Cookies: Use rounded tablespoons to drop dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn lightly golden, indicating they are done.
- Cool and Glaze: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, prepare the optional glaze by mixing powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk, then drizzle it over the cooled cookies for a sweet, glossy finish.
- Serve: Enjoy the cookies at room temperature with your favorite beverage such as milk, coffee, or tea for a satisfying treat.
Notes
- Serve cookies fresh for the best texture and flavor, ideally within a few hours of baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week for optimal freshness.
- Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, allowing cookies to return to room temperature before serving.
- Freeze cookies individually wrapped or in a single layer in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the oven before serving.
- Ensure cookies are completely cooled before storage to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
- For variation, add ingredients such as chocolate chips, white chocolate, coconut, lemon zest, spices, or substitute nuts as desired.
- The optional glaze adds sweetness and visual appeal but can be omitted for a simpler cookie.
Keywords: Cherry Almond Cookies, Amish Sugar Cookies, Almond Cookies, Cherry Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Sweet Treats, Baked Cookies, Homemade Cookies