Description
These tender almond-infused cookies surprise you with a juicy maraschino cherry center, then get a sweet pink glaze and festive red sugar for a bite of pure holiday joy!
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies:
- ¾ cup slivered almonds, finely ground into a powder
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (90 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- 8 oz jar maraschino cherries, halved (reserve 1 Tbsp cherry syrup)
- Red decorating sugar, for topping
Cherry Glaze:
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp reserved maraschino syrup
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2–3 Tbsp milk, as needed to thin
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- Make the Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.In another bowl, whisk flour, salt, and ground almonds. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until a pliable dough forms.
- Fill With Cherry: Scoop roughly 1 Tbsp of dough and flatten it into a small disc in your palm. Press a cherry half into the center, then fold the dough around it and roll into a smooth ball. Space 2″ apart on prepared sheets and gently press down to flatten slightly.
- Bake: Bake for 8–9 minutes, until edges just begin to turn golden. Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely on the pans.
- Whip the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar with reserved cherry syrup and almond extract. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until the icing is thin enough to dip but not runny.
- Ice & Decorate: Dip the tops of each cooled cookie into the glaze, allow excess to drip off, then place on a rack. While the icing is still wet, sprinkle with red decorating sugar. Let stand until set.
Notes
Tips & Tricks
- Dry Dough? Avoid packing your flour—stir, spoon, and level for accurate measurement.
- No Stuffing? Chop cherries and fold them into the dough for bite-sized bursts of flavor.
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Desserts
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 187kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 64mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 14mg