Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Indulge in the festive spirit with these Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies, a delightful treat that perfectly blends buttery richness with the sweet tartness of maraschino cherries. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and vibrant appearance, these cookies make an elegant addition to any holiday gathering or cookie exchange. Simple to prepare and irresistibly delicious, they are sure to become a cherished part of your seasonal traditions. Whether enjoyed with a warm beverage or gifted to friends and family, these cookies will spread joy and sweetness this holiday season.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 maraschino cherries, halved
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract (and almond extract if using) until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create an indentation in each ball.
- Drain and dry the maraschino cherries before placing half in each indentation on the cookie dough.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Allow cooling on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Dust cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (28g)
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: <1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg