Cherry Almond Cookies are a delightful and surprisingly simple treat that offers a perfect balance of sweet, tart cherries and nutty almond flavor, making them ideal for any occasion. This recipe is your go-to for creating delightful cookies that are both easy to bake and incredibly satisfying.
Key Ingredients for Cherry Almond 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 soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cherries, finely chopped
How to Make Cherry Almond Cookies:
These Cherry Almond Cookies are incredibly easy to put together, requiring minimal fuss for maximum flavor. With a prep time of just 20 minutes and a baking time of 10-12 minutes, you’ll have a batch of utterly delicious cookies ready in no time. The soft, chewy texture meets a wonderfully sweet and nutty profile that’s truly irresistible.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light, fluffy, and pale yellow. This process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg until well combined. Then, stir in the almond extract and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The almond extract is key to that signature cherry almond flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures these ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of leavening or salt in your cookies.
- Gradually Add Dry to Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the large bowl, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and lead to tough cookies.
- Stir in Dried Cherries: Gently fold in the finely chopped dried cherries until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough. The heat from baking will slightly plump up these dried cherries, releasing their tart-sweetness.
- Portion the Dough: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Use a cookie scoop for uniform size, or simply use two spoons.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set but still appear soft. The cookies will continue to bake slightly on the hot baking sheet after being removed from the oven.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to firm up enough to be moved without breaking.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Almond Cookies:
You’ll absolutely adore these Cherry Almond Cookies for their irresistible combination of sweet cherries and fragrant almond. Unlike basic sugar cookies, these gems offer a delightful burst of tartness from the dried cherries, beautifully complemented by the warm, nutty notes of almond extract, creating a flavor profile that’s sophisticated yet comforting. Best of all, making these at home saves you money compared to store-bought alternatives, while allowing you to control the quality of ingredients for a truly exceptional treat.
These cookies are perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up, a thoughtful homemade gift, or a delightful addition to any cookie platter, rivaling even the most elaborate baked goods with their simple elegance and vibrant taste. Ready in under an hour from start to finish, they are a testament to how easy it is to create something truly special in your own kitchen. Don’t wait – whip up a batch of these delightful Cherry Almond Cookies today and experience pure cookie bliss!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
To keep your delicious Cherry Almond Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Ensure they are completely cooled before sealing the container to prevent condensation. If you have a larger batch or want to savor them over a longer period, they can be frozen.
For freezing, place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper if needed. Frozen cookies will stay delicious for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply bring frozen cookies to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before enjoying. If they seem a little soft, a very brief stint in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 2-3 minutes can help refresh them.
Final Thoughts:
These Cherry Almond Cookies are a true delight, offering a perfect harmony of flavors and a wonderfully simple baking experience. We encourage you to give this recipe a try; they are sure to become a cherished favorite in your home.
Cherry Almond Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light, fluffy, and pale yellow. This process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ texture.1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, 1 cup granulated sugar
- Beat in the large egg until well combined. Then, stir in the almond extract and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The almond extract is key to that signature cherry almond flavor.1 large egg, 1 teaspoon almond extract, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures these ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of leavening or salt in your cookies.2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the large bowl, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and lead to tough cookies.
- Gently fold in the finely chopped dried cherries until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough. The heat from baking will slightly plump up these dried cherries, releasing their tart-sweetness.1 cup dried cherries, finely chopped
- Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Use a cookie scoop for uniform size, or simply use two spoons.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set but still appear soft. The cookies will continue to bake slightly on the hot baking sheet after being removed from the oven.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to firm up enough to be moved without breaking.