Description

Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are a festive delight that combines the rich buttery flavor of shortbread with the sweet and tangy burst of maraschino cherries. These charming cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, bringing joy and warmth to any celebration. With their vibrant red cherries nestled in golden shortbread, they not only taste amazing but also look stunning on your dessert table. Easy to bake and perfect for sharing or gifting, these cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture until a soft dough forms.
Gently fold in chopped cherries and vanilla extract.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and place on the prepared baking sheet with space in between.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 90
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 30mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Fiber: <1g
Protein: <1g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: For added flavor, consider incorporating a pinch of cinnamon or using almond extract instead of vanilla. To ensure cookies remain soft, avoid overbaking; they should still be soft in the center when cooled.