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Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies
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Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender treats bursting with bright cherry flavor. Combining classic rich shortbread with the sweet, festive pop of maraschino cherries, these cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations, gifting, or sharing with loved ones. With crisp edges and a tender center, they offer a delightful balance of texture and flavor that will become a holiday favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

  • 1 cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped and drained

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by gathering all your ingredients. Finely chop the maraschino cherries and let them drain on a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which prevents the cookies from becoming too soft.
  2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the cold unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy to create a creamy, smooth base for the dough.
  3. Add Vanilla and Salt: Mix in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. These enhance the flavor and balance the sweetness beautifully.
  4. Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, mixing gently just until the dough comes together. Avoid overworking to maintain a tender shortbread texture.
  5. Fold in Chopped Maraschino Cherries: Carefully fold the chopped, drained cherries into the dough to distribute the festive bursts of flavor evenly.
  6. Shape and Chill: Form the dough into a log or press it into a pan, then refrigerate for at least one hour. This firms up the dough for better shaping and baking results.
  7. Slice and Bake: Slice the chilled dough into even rounds or bars about 1/4 inch thick. Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 18-22 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain pale.
  8. Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures crisp edges with the perfect tender center.

Notes

  • Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough to make slicing easier and to prevent spreading during baking.
  • Drain Cherries Well: Pat maraschino cherries dry to avoid soggy cookies.
  • Don’t Overmix: Mixing too much develops gluten which toughens the cookies.
  • Use Cold Butter: Helps maintain the crumbly, tender shortbread texture.
  • Slice Thin for Crispy Cookies: Thinner slices bake crispier, while thicker slices stay soft and chewy.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cookies, shortbread, maraschino cherry cookies, holiday cookies, festive treats, buttery cookies

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/christmas-maraschino-cherry-shortbread-cookies/