Introduction

These Cherry Almond Cookies combine the sweet juiciness of maraschino cherries with the rich flavors of almond and cream cheese for a tender, flavorful treat. Perfect for sharing or enjoying with a cup of tea, they offer a delightful twist on classic cookies.

The image shows soft, round pink cookies with small red fruit pieces inside, laid out on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has five thick white icing stripes running diagonally across the top, creating a neat pattern. The cookies have a smooth and slightly cracked texture, hinting at a soft bite, with the red bits adding small pops of color throughout. The composition focuses closely on one cookie in the center, with blurred parts of other cookies around it in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, reserving 1-2 tablespoons cherry juice
1 3/4 cup (255 grams) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup white chocolate melting wafers, optional

Instructions

Step 1: Drain and chop the maraschino cherries. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate to dry, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 3: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy.
Step 4: Add the sugar and beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is pale and airy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
Step 5: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and 1 tablespoon of the reserved cherry juice (use 2 tablespoons for a stronger cherry flavor) until well combined.
Step 6: On low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the chopped cherries by hand.
Step 7: Chill the dough for at least 1 hour to firm up.
Step 8: Preheat the oven to 375℉ (190℃). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Step 9: Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
Step 10: Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Allow cookies to cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 11: For an optional white chocolate drizzle, melt the white chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl at 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
Step 12: Transfer melted chocolate to a plastic or piping bag, snip off a small corner, and drizzle over the cooled cookies. Let the chocolate set before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use extra cherry juice for a stronger cherry flavor in the dough.
Substitute the white chocolate drizzle with sliced almonds for added texture.
Ensure the cream cheese and butter are fully softened to avoid lumps in the dough.
Chilling the dough helps control spreading and enhances flavor.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a low oven or enjoy at room temperature. The white chocolate drizzle may soften slightly when reheated.

How to Serve

A stack of five soft, pink cookies is shown on a white marbled surface. The bottom three cookies are whole, with a smooth texture and thin, white icing drizzled in curved lines across the tops. On top of these, two cookie halves display a soft, crumbly inside with bright red bits scattered throughout. The white icing also decorates the edges of the top cookies. The cookie stack is centered with a soft, blurry background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries have a very different texture and moisture content, which may affect the dough consistency. If using fresh cherries, pit, dry thoroughly, and consider reducing other liquids slightly.

Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape during baking and enhances the flavors. It is recommended but if you’re short on time, you can bake immediately—just expect slightly thinner cookies.