Description

Almond Cherry Cookies are delightful buttery treats featuring ground slivered almonds and sweet maraschino cherries wrapped in a tender cookie dough. Topped with a smooth cherry-flavored almond frosting and festive red decorating sugar, these cookies offer a perfect balance of nutty flavor and fruity sweetness, ideal for holiday celebrations or everyday enjoyment.

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) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cookies.
Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring a light texture.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground slivered almonds. Gradually add this to the creamed butter mixture and mix until fully incorporated, forming a soft dough.
Form Cookies: Take a tablespoon-sized portion of the dough and create a small indent in the center. Place half of a maraschino cherry into the indent, then carefully fold the dough around the cherry, shaping it into a ball.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten them slightly with your palm or fingers to prepare for baking.
Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–9 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden brown, indicating doneness.
Cool Cookies: 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. Add milk gradually, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a smooth, dipping consistency.
Decorate Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the frosting to coat them evenly. Place the frosted cookies back onto the wire rack.
Finishing Touch: Sprinkle red decorating sugar over the frosting while it is still wet. Allow the frosting to set completely before serving.

Notes

Reserve 1 teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice from the jar to flavor the frosting.
Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better dough texture.
You can substitute chopped almonds for slivered if ground finely.
Ensure cookies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
Red decorating sugar adds festive color and a slight crunch to the cookies’ tops.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Almond Cherry Cookies, cherry cookies, almond cookies, holiday cookies, frosted cookies, maraschino cherries, nutty cookies