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Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe

5 from 61 reviews

Delightfully sweet and colorful Maraschino Cherry Cookies bursting with maraschino cherry flavor and a buttery, soft texture. These cookies are easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and are perfect for festive occasions or a lovely homemade treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 8 tbsp butter (one stick), melted
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp red food coloring (optional)

Sugars

  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Add-ins

  • 16 oz maraschino cherries, drained and chopped into quarters or halves

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
  2. Melt Butter: Gently melt the butter in a microwave-safe dish until fully liquid, then pour it into a medium mixing bowl.
  3. Combine Sugars: Add white sugar and brown sugar to the melted butter and mix well until fully combined, ensuring a smooth mixture.
  4. Add Egg and Vanilla: Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract, then mix thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
  5. Add Food Coloring: If desired, add the red food coloring now and mix until the color is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  6. Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet mixture, blending gently until a cohesive dough forms.
  7. Prepare Cherries: Drain the maraschino cherries well to remove excess juice. Slice them into quarters or halves and fold them gently into the dough.
  8. Shape Cookies: Form the dough into small balls and place them spaced out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Gently press each ball to flatten slightly, keeping in mind the dough will spread while baking. This should make about 10-12 cookies.
  9. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers have set.
  10. Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the sheet for about 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Draining the maraschino cherries well is important to prevent the dough from becoming too wet.
  • The red food coloring is optional but enhances the cherry appearance for a festive look.
  • These cookies spread during baking, so space them well on the baking sheet to avoid sticking together.
  • For best flavor, allow the cookies to cool fully so they set perfectly with a chewy texture.

Keywords: Maraschino Cherry Cookies, cherry cookies, holiday cookies, festive desserts, easy cookie recipe