Bake Red Jewels: Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe for Smiles

Sweet, buttery, and irresistibly soft, these maraschino cherry cookies dance with vibrant bursts of fruity flavor.

The classic cookie recipe weaves a delightful blend of creamy texture and charming red specks.

Each bite promises a nostalgic treat that transports you to childhood baking memories.

Tender and delicate, these cookies showcase the perfect balance between subtle sweetness and bright cherry notes.

Butter and maraschino cherries mingle to create a delectable dessert that melts in your mouth.

Rich, colorful, and utterly delicious, these cookies will become your new favorite sweet indulgence.

Bake a batch and watch them disappear in moments of pure cookie bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 139 kcal

Servings: 25

Ingredients for Maraschino Cherry Cookies

• Butter: Creamy fat that ensures tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with rich flavor depth.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides essential structure and creates classic cookie consistency.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light, airy with perfect soft crumb.

• Powdered Sugar: Delivers delicate sweetness and contributes to smooth, silky cookie texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic bakery-style aromatic undertone that enhances overall taste.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together, creating rich moisture and helping cookies hold their shape.

• Maraschino Cherries (Chopped): Brings vibrant color bursts and sweet-tangy flavor surprise.
• Maraschino Cherries (Halved): Decorative topping that adds visual appeal and fruity pop to each cookie.

Tools That Help Bake Maraschino Cherry Cookies Right

• Stand mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all cookie ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensure precise ingredient amounts.
• Baking sheets: Non-stick or lined with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for folding cherries into dough.
• Sharp knife: Useful for chopping maraschino cherries.

Baking Instructions for Maraschino Cherry Cookies

• Cozy Kitchen Preparation

Get your baking space ready with a clean work surface and all your favorite baking tools nearby. Warm up the oven to create the perfect baking environment.

• Butter Bliss

Whip together soft butter and powdered sugar until they transform into a cloud-like, creamy mixture that looks like fluffy happiness.

• Moisture Magic

Add a splash of vanilla and a single egg, mixing until everything comes together in a smooth, silky dance.

• Flour Fusion

Gently incorporate flour and a touch of baking powder, stirring just enough to bring the dough together without overworking it.

• Cherry Charm

Lovingly fold in vibrant maraschino cherries, spreading their sweet, playful color throughout the cookie dough.

• Cookie Crafting

Scoop out delightful little mounds of dough onto baking sheets, then crown each cookie with a jewel-like cherry half.

• Baking Brilliance

Slide the cookie sheet into the warm oven and let the magic happen. Watch as the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Flavor Tips for Better Maraschino Cherry Cookies

• Replace regular maraschino cherries with candied or dried cherries for a deeper, less sweet flavor profile that adds rich complexity to your cookies.
• After cooling, create an elegant finish by drizzling melted white chocolate or a simple vanilla glaze over the cookies, enhancing their visual appeal and taste.
• Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop and making last-minute baking a breeze. Simply let dough soften slightly before scooping.
• For extra crunch, mix in chopped toasted almonds or pecans alongside the cherries, introducing a delightful nutty dimension that complements the sweet fruit perfectly.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.

Ways to Serve Maraschino Cherry Cookies for Any Event

• Sweet Brunch Companion: Pair these delicate cookies with a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea or a smooth cappuccino for a delightful mid-morning treat that elevates your coffee break.
• Dessert Platter Star: Arrange these colorful cherry cookies on a elegant serving tray alongside other bite-sized pastries, creating a gorgeous dessert spread perfect for parties or afternoon gatherings.
• Gifting Delight: Package these cookies in a charming clear gift box tied with a ribbon, making them a thoughtful homemade present for birthdays, holidays, or as a sweet gesture to brighten someone's day.
• Festive Decoration: Top each cookie with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate glaze to transform them into an even more eye-catching and festive dessert that will impress guests.

Keep Maraschino Cherry Cookies Fresh and Soft

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 2-3 minutes to set structure before transferring to wire racks, preventing delicate edges from breaking.
• Refrigeration Tip: Store cookies in airtight container layered between parchment paper, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days in refrigerator compartment.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months for future sweet moments. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance, shape into log, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for 2-3 days. Slice and bake when ready for fresh, warm treats.

Delectable Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Delightful maraschino cherry cookies blend sweet nostalgia with classic bakery charm. Crimson cherries and buttery dough create irresistible treats promising pure pleasure for cookie enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (227 grams / 8 oz) softened butter
• 2 ¼ cups (281 grams / 9.9 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (120 grams / 4.2 oz) powdered sugar
• 1 whole egg
• ½ cup (75 grams / 2.6 oz) chopped maraschino cherries
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 24 maraschino cherries (for halving and decoration)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and arrange oven rack in the middle position for uniform heat distribution.
2. Cream Base: Using an electric mixer, whip unsalted butter and powdered sugar until light, fluffy, and pale, creating a smooth foundational mixture.
3. Liquid Integration: Blend egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, creating a cohesive and aromatic batter with consistent texture.
4. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Gently fold sifted flour and baking powder into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to maintain a tender cookie structure.
5. Cherry Incorporation: Finely chop maraschino cherries and delicately fold throughout the dough, ensuring even fruit distribution and vibrant color pockets.
6. Sheet Arrangement: Cover baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, providing a non-stick surface for cookie formation.
7. Dough Placement and Decoration: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart, and press a halved maraschino cherry into each cookie’s center.
8. Baking Process: Place sheets in preheated oven and bake 12-15 minutes until edges turn golden, signaling perfect caramelization and doneness.
9. Cooling Technique: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to wire racks, enabling complete cooling and achieving ideal texture and crispness.

Notes

• Cherry Selection: Choose bright red, high-quality maraschino cherries with vibrant color and firm texture for maximum flavor impact.
• Dough Handling: Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense cookies; mix ingredients just until combined for tender, delicate results.
• Moisture Management: Pat maraschino cherries dry with paper towels to prevent excess liquid from making the cookie dough soggy or spreading incorrectly.
• Temperature Timing: Let cookies cool completely on wire racks to develop crisp edges and prevent becoming soft or mushy during storage.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 139
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg