Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe
Delight in these Cherry Blossom Cookies, featuring a tender, buttery dough infused with maraschino cherry juice and almond extract, studded with chopped maraschino cherries, and topped with a classic Hershey’s Kiss. These cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and a festive cherry flavor, ideal for any occasion or holiday treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 Cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 Cup powdered sugar
- ¼ Teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon maraschino cherry juice liquid
- ¼ Teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla or cherry extract)
- 2 Cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
- 1 Cup maraschino cherries, chopped
For Rolling and Topping
- ¼ Cup granulated sugar, for rolling
- 24 Hershey Kisses
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the room temperature butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Flavorings: Mix in the maraschino cherry juice and your choice of almond, vanilla, or cherry extract until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Incorporate Flour and Salt: Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and salt to the mixture. Mix on low speed until combined, then gradually add additional flour a tablespoon at a time until the dough has a play-dough like consistency that can be handled without sticking to your hands.
- Fold in Chopped Cherries: Gently stir in the chopped maraschino cherries just until evenly distributed throughout the dough to maintain their texture and flavor.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Use a tablespoon-sized scoop to portion out dough balls. Roll each ball thoroughly in granulated sugar to coat. This adds a light crunch and sweetness to the exterior.
- Chill Dough Balls: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on a tray and chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to firm up, which helps maintain their shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: While chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange the chilled dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the cookies are lightly golden and baked through.
- Add Hershey Kisses: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a Hershey Kiss into the center of each hot cookie, allowing it to soften slightly and adhere.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving to let the Hershey Kisses set and the cookies firm up.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming.
- If the dough feels too sticky, add more flour a tablespoon at a time until manageable.
- Chilling the dough balls prevents spreading and helps maintain a soft texture.
- You can substitute Hershey Kisses with other chocolate candies as desired.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Keywords: Cherry Blossom Cookies, holiday cookies, cherry cookies, Hershey Kiss cookies, maraschino cherries, almond extract cookies
Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/cherry-blossom-cookies-recipe/
