Traditional Cherry Almond Cookies

This hearty Cherry Almond Cookie recipe has been my family's holiday baking staple for years, bringing the timeless Italian tradition of festive cookies to our celebrations. The combination of buttery dough, sweet maraschino cherries, and almond flavor creates an irresistible treat that looks as beautiful as it tastes.

I first made these during a Christmas baking marathon with my grandmother. She told stories of making these same cookies in her childhood, and now my children eagerly pull chairs to the counter when they see the maraschino cherry jar appear.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: softened to room temperature crucial for proper creaming with sugar
• Cream cheese: adds a subtle tanginess and incredible tender texture to these cookies
• Light brown sugar: provides a deeper flavor than white sugar would and helps retain moisture
• Large egg: acts as a binder for the dough while adding richness
• Almond extract: the signature flavor component that makes these cookies distinctive
• Vanilla extract: complements the almond flavor with warm undertones
• All purpose flour: provides structure while maintaining a tender crumb
• Salt: enhances all flavors and balances sweetness
• Maraschino cherries: the festive centerpiece that gives these cookies their signature look
• White chocolate chips: creates the perfect sweet finishing drizzle

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Ingredients:

Gather all ingredients and ensure butter and cream cheese have softened at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This proper temperature is essential for incorporating air into the dough which creates the perfect texture. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Create Cookie Base:

Combine softened butter, cream cheese and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Cream together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes on medium speed. The mixture should look pale and have increased in volume. This aeration creates the foundation for tender cookies.

Add Wet Ingredients:

Mix in the egg, salt, almond extract and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing. The almond extract is the star flavor here, so be precise with your measurement to get that perfect intensity.

Incorporate Flour:

Gradually add flour to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Overmixing at this stage will develop too much gluten, resulting in tough cookies. The dough will be soft but should hold together when pressed.

Chill The Dough:

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and preventing excessive spreading during baking. The chilling also allows flavors to meld together.

Form Cookie Balls:

Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion dough into 1inch balls. Roll between your palms to create smooth spheres and place them about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Work quickly to keep the dough cool.

Create Cherry Indentations:

Using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, press an indentation into the center of each cookie ball. Make the depression deep enough to hold the cherry but be careful not to press all the way through to the baking sheet.

Add Cherry Topping:

Place a well dried maraschino cherry into each indentation. Be meticulous about patting the cherries dry with paper towels to prevent excess juice from bleeding into the cookies during baking.

Bake To Perfection:

Bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden. The cookies will still be soft in the center but will firm up as they cool. Avoid overbaking which can make them dry and crumbly.

Cool Completely:

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack positioned over a paperlined surface. Let them cool completely before adding the white chocolate drizzle.

Add White Chocolate Drizzle:

Melt white chocolate chips in short microwave intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Transfer to a small plastic bag, snip off a tiny corner, and drizzle in a zigzag pattern over the cooled cookies. Let the chocolate set completely before storing.

Pin it

The almond extract is truly what makes these cookies special in my family. My grandmother always said the secret was to use pure rather than imitation extract. One Christmas I tried to substitute vanilla for the almond extract, and my uncle immediately noticed the difference. Never again!

Make Ahead And Storage

These cherry almond cookies are perfect for planning ahead during busy holiday seasons. The dough can be prepared and refrigerated up to two days before baking. You can also freeze the shaped, unbaked cookies on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. Bake directly from frozen, adding just 2-3 minutes to the baking time.

Once baked and decorated, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to protect the cherries and drizzle. For longer storage, freeze finished cookies in a single layer until solid, then transfer to freezer containers with parchment between layers.

Pin it

Delicious Variations

The beauty of this cookie base lies in its versatility. While the classic cherry and almond combination is traditional, several variations work beautifully with this dough. Try pressing a chocolate kiss into the center instead of a cherry for a new twist. Raspberry thumbprints are another delightful option use a small amount of quality raspberry preserves in place of the cherry.

For a truly special occasion, try using green candied cherries for half your batch and red for the other half during Christmas time. The red and green display creates a festive holiday cookie platter. During summer months, try topping with a small amount of lemon curd and omitting the white chocolate drizzle for a refreshing citrus version.

Italian Cookie Tradition

These Cherry Almond Cookies are part of a rich Italian baking tradition. Italian cookie platters, particularly during Christmas celebrations, typically feature a variety of small, distinctive cookies rather than large American style treats. These small batches of different cookies allowed families to showcase various textures and flavors while making the most of sometimes limited ingredients.

The combination of almond flavoring with fruit is particularly common in Italian baking, reflecting the abundance of almond trees in southern Italy and Sicily. While many Italian American families have adapted recipes over generations, the tradition of gathering to bake these cookies remains an important cultural touchstone. The act of passing down recipes connects generations and preserves heritage through food traditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I ensure the cherries don't make the cookies too wet?

Make sure to drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel before using. This prevents excess moisture from affecting the cookies.

→ Can I use a substitute for white chocolate drizzle?

Yes, you can use a simple powdered sugar icing with milk, water, or cherry juice for a flavorful alternative.

→ Why is chilling the dough important?

Chilling the dough helps it firm up, making it easier to shape and ensuring the cookies maintain their structure while baking.

→ What can I use instead of almond extract?

Vanilla extract can be a good substitute if you prefer or need to avoid almond flavor. It will slightly alter the taste but still complement the cookies.

→ Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies without the white chocolate drizzle. Store them in an airtight container and drizzle with chocolate after thawing.