Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe

These Cherry Christmas Cookies are a holiday staple in my house. They’re buttery, melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and packed with festive flavors, thanks to the chopped nuts and candied cherries. I love how easy they are to make, and they’re always a hit with everyone who tries them.

Why You’ll Love These Cherry Christmas Cookies

• Festive Flavors: These cookies are bursting with holiday flavors, thanks to the combination of buttery shortbread, crunchy nuts, and sweet candied cherries.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, even for beginner bakers.
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookies are great for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or just a casual get-together with friends and family.
• Versatile: You can decorate these cookies with your favorite sprinkles, drizzle them with melted chocolate, or even sandwich them together with frosting.

this Recipe

Ingredients for Cherry Christmas Cookies

Here’s what I use to make these delightful cookies:

• Unsalted Butter: I always use unsalted butter for baking so I can control the amount of salt in the recipe.
• Powdered Sugar: This creates a delicate sweetness and a light and airy texture.
• Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of our cookie dough.
• Chopped Nuts: I like to use a mix of pecans and walnuts, but you can use any type of nut you like.
• Candied Cherries: These add a festive touch and a burst of sweetness.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Variations

Want to try something different? Here are a few ideas:

• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle some melted chocolate over the cookies for an extra decadent treat.
• Glaze: Dip the cookies in a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice.
• Different Nuts: Use your favorite type of nuts, like almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
• Dried Fruit: Add some chopped dried fruit, like cranberries or apricots, along with the cherries.

How to Make Cherry Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Make the Dough

I start by creaming together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Then, I mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Finally, I add the flour, chopped nuts, and candied cherries and mix until just combined.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

I divide the dough in half and shape each half into a log. Then, I wrap the logs in plastic wrap and chill them in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This helps to firm up the dough and makes it easier to slice.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

When I’m ready to bake, I preheat my oven to 325°F (160°C). I slice the chilled dough into rounds about 1/4-inch thick and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, I bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the cookies are just barely golden.

Step 4: Cool and Enjoy

I let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.

Tips and Tricks

• Chill Time: Chilling the dough is essential for these cookies. It helps to prevent them from spreading too much during baking.
• Even Baking: Make sure the cookies are spaced evenly on the baking sheet so they bake evenly.
• Don’t Overbake: Be careful not to overbake the cookies. They should be slightly soft in the center.

How to Serve

These Cherry Christmas Cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas for serving them:

• Holiday Parties: Serve them on a festive platter at your next holiday party.
• Cookie Exchanges: These cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges.
• Gifts: Package them up in cute bags or tins and give them as gifts to friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

• Make Ahead: You can make the cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months.
• Freezing: You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months.
• Storing: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of nut?
Yes, you can use any type of nut you like, such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts.

2. Can I use dried fruit instead of candied cherries?
Yes, you can use chopped dried fruit, like cranberries or apricots, instead of candied cherries.

3. Can I make these cookies without chilling the dough?
No, chilling the dough is essential for these cookies. It helps to prevent them from spreading too much during baking.

There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Cherry Christmas Cookies. I hope you enjoy them!

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