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Easy Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe

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★★★★

4 from 74 reviews

These Easy Almond Cherry Cookies are a delightful treat featuring a buttery almond-infused dough wrapped around sweet maraschino cherries. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious almond cherry glaze sprinkled with red decorating sugar, these cookies are perfect for festive occasions or a sweet snack.

Ingredients

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Cookie Dough

  • 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)

Frosting

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice (reserved)
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk
  • Red decorating sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
  2. Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground slivered almonds. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until fully combined to form the cookie dough.
  3. Form Cookies: Scoop a tablespoon of dough and create a small indent in the center. Place half a maraschino cherry in the indentation, then carefully fold the dough around the cherry to enclose it. Shape into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet, gently flattening each slightly to form cookie shapes.
  4. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden brown. Remove them from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
  5. Make Frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, reserved maraschino cherry juice, and almond extract. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches a thick yet dip-friendly consistency for coating.
  6. Decorate Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the frosting to coat them evenly. Return the frosted cookies to the wire rack and generously sprinkle with red decorating sugar. Allow the frosting to set and harden before serving.

Notes

  • Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
  • Reserve the maraschino cherry juice to enhance the frosting flavor.
  • Chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before forming cookies can help with handling and shape retention.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Keywords: almond cherry cookies, cherry cookies, almond cookies, easy cookie recipe, holiday cookies, baking cookies, maraschino cherry dessert

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/easy-almond-cherry-cookies-recipe/