These Almond Cherry Cookies are a delightful and surprisingly simple bake, perfect for anyone seeking a flavorful treat that’s both elegant and easy. This recipe offers a wonderful balance of nutty almond and tart cherry, creating a cookie that’s both satisfying and uniquely delicious, making it a go-to for any occasion.
Key Ingredients for Almond Cherry Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
- ½ cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
How to Make Almond Cherry Cookies
Whip up these incredibly easy Almond Cherry Cookies in under 30 minutes of prep with less than 15 minutes of active baking time, offering a delightful blend of chewy centers and crisp edges. The simple creaming method ensures a tender texture, while the pop of tart cherries and the subtle crunch of toasted almonds elevate this classic cookie to something truly special and intensely satisfying for any cookie lover.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process, usually taking about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer, incorporates air and is crucial for tender cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg until thoroughly combined. Then, stir in the almond extract and vanilla extract, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that the leavening agent and salt are evenly dispersed, preventing pockets of bitterness or uneven rise.
- Gradually Add Dry to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed (or by hand) until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the roughly chopped dried cherries and the lightly toasted slivered almonds. Ensure these delicious additions are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
- Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended): For easier handling and to prevent excessive spreading during baking, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This step is especially helpful if your kitchen is warm.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Portion the Dough: Drop rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can use a cookie scoop for uniform size.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers appear set but still slightly soft. The exact baking time will vary depending on your oven and the size of your cookies.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This brief cooling period on the sheet helps them firm up.
Why You’ll Love This Almond Cherry Cookies
You’ll absolutely adore these Almond Cherry Cookies for their delightful chewy texture and the perfect harmony of sweet and tart flavors. Unlike a plain almond cookie, the pop of dried cherries adds a vibrant burst of fruity goodness that makes each bite an exciting experience. Plus, the subtle nuttiness of toasted slivered almonds creates a sophisticated crunch that’s truly irresistible and surprisingly affordable to make at home.
Whipping up a batch of these homemade almond cherry cookies is far more economical than buying bakery treats, ensuring you can satisfy your sweet cravings without breaking the bank. They’re the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon tea or coffee, and they make a wonderful homemade gift that’s sure to impress. So, go ahead and gather your ingredients – it’s time to bake up a batch of these irresistible cookies and discover your new favorite treat!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To keep your Almond Cherry Cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Simply place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. To reheat, gently warm them in a low oven (around 250°F / 120°C) for a few minutes until slightly warmed through. If reheating from frozen, allow them to thaw at room temperature first before gently warming.
Final Thoughts
These Almond Cherry Cookies are a true testament to simple ingredients creating extraordinary flavors. We truly encourage you to give this recipe a try; you’ll discover a delightfully balanced and wonderfully satisfying cookie that’s perfect for any occasion. Happy baking!
Almond Cherry Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process, usually taking about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer, incorporates air and is crucial for tender cookies.1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1 cup granulated sugar
- Beat in the large egg until thoroughly combined. Then, stir in the almond extract and vanilla extract, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.1 large egg, 1 teaspoon almond extract, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that the leavening agent and salt are evenly dispersed, preventing pockets of bitterness or uneven rise.2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed (or by hand) until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as overmixing can lead to tough cookies.2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Gently fold in the roughly chopped dried cherries and the lightly toasted slivered almonds. Ensure these delicious additions are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.½ cup dried cherries, roughly chopped, ½ cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
- For easier handling and to prevent excessive spreading during baking, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This step is especially helpful if your kitchen is warm.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can use a cookie scoop for uniform size.
- Bake for 10-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers appear set but still slightly soft. The exact baking time will vary depending on your oven and the size of your cookies.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This brief cooling period on the sheet helps them firm up.