There’s something about the scent of buttery dough mixed with bright, juicy cherries that instantly brings holiday magic into your kitchen. The Cherry Holiday Cookies Recipe I’m sharing today combines that nostalgic charm with a delightful crunch, making it a must-bake for your festive celebrations.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can't tell you how many times these cherry studded cookies have been requested at holiday parties—I swear they’re like little bursts of festive joy in every bite. This Cherry Holiday Cookies Recipe is not only delicious but surprisingly straightforward, making it perfect even if you’re balancing a full holiday schedule.
- Timeless Flavor Combination: The mix of buttery dough, sweet powdered sugar, and candied cherries delivers a classic taste that's always a crowd-pleaser.
- Simple Prep: Rolling the dough into logs makes slicing and baking a breeze without any extra fuss.
- Great Texture Contrast: Chopped nuts add the perfect crunch to balance the chewy cherries and soft cookie base.
- Eye-Catching Colors: Red and green chunks of candied cherries bring holiday spirit straight to your cookie plate.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Cherry Holiday Cookies Recipe plays a key role—from the creamy butter that tenderizes the dough to the vibrant candied cherries that give the cookies their signature festive pop. You’ll want to choose quality ingredients to really make these cookies shine.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature for the best creaminess and control over salt levels.
- Powdered Sugar: This gives the dough a soft texture and melt-in-your-mouth sweetness without the grittiness of granulated sugar.
- Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and provides richness to the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic depth that complements the cherries beautifully.
- Flour: All-purpose flour creates the sturdy base necessary for holding the chunks of fruit and nuts together.
- Chopped Nuts: Walnuts or pecans add crunch and a subtle earthy flavor—feel free to toast them lightly for extra aroma.
- Candied Cherries: Choose red, green, or a mix for a festive look; quarter them evenly to disperse flavor and prevent clumping.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Cherry Holiday Cookies Recipe just a bit depending on the occasion. Sometimes I add a pinch of cinnamon for a warm spice twist or swap the nuts for pistachios to give a vibrant green pop alongside the cherries. Play around and find your favorite version!
- Variation: Once, I replaced half the flour with almond flour, which added a lovely nutty flavor and made the cookies extra tender—definitely worth trying if you want a gluten-light twist.
- Dietary Swap: Using coconut sugar instead of powdered sugar works well, just expect a slightly deeper caramel note.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Holiday Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by softening the butter to room temperature—that’s the easiest way to get a smooth, creamy texture when you beat it together with the powdered sugar. I use a stand mixer, but a hand mixer works just as fine. Cream until the mixture is light and fluffy; this step is key to those tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla
Slowly mix in the egg and vanilla extract. The egg helps bind all the ingredients together while the vanilla amps up the cozy flavors. Make sure the egg is at room temp to avoid any curdling in the dough.
Step 3: Incorporate the Flour
Add the flour gradually and mix on low speed until the dough starts coming together. You want a soft but not sticky dough—that tells me it’s perfectly balanced for rolling and slicing.
Step 4: Fold in Cherries and Nuts
Gently fold in those vibrant quartered candied cherries and your choice of chopped nuts. Be patient here and take your time folding so the cherries stay intact and distribute evenly—nothing worse than biting into a dry cookie with all the cherries clumped in one spot!
Step 5: Shape and Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into thirds and roll each portion into a 2-inch diameter log on parchment or waxed paper. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 hours—this step is crucial for making nice, clean slices without the dough crumbling or sticking.
Step 6: Slice and Bake
Unwrap your chilled dough logs and carefully cut them into thin ¼-inch slices. Lay them out spaced evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 13–15 minutes, keeping an eye out for a light golden edge—the smell at this point will be irresistible, I promise!
Top Tip
Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that make this Cherry Holiday Cookies Recipe foolproof every time. These little insights can save you from common pitfalls and elevate the cookies beyond good to absolutely stunning.
- Room Temperature Butter: This is a game changer for achieving the perfect dough consistency—cold butter will result in crumbly dough that’s hard to shape.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just enough to combine. Overmixing develops gluten, making cookies tough.
- Chill Well: I always give at least 3 hours in the fridge; this chills the fat and makes slicing easier without losing shape.
- Even Slices: Use a sharp knife and steady hands to cut even slices—this ensures all your cookies bake evenly and look picture perfect.
How to Serve Cherry Holiday Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep these cookies simple because they’re pretty enough on their own—the red and green cherries practically dress themselves! But a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving adds a snowy, festive touch that guests always appreciate.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced tea or rich hot cocoa. For holiday gatherings, I often serve them alongside a cheese platter featuring sharp cheddar and creamy brie—which strikes a lovely balance with the sweetness of the cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
Last year, I arranged these cookies like little ornaments on a tray lined with pine branches and scattered cranberries. It made a festive centerpiece that doubled as an appetizer station—always a hit with the family and friends!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight tin at room temperature—they stay fresh and chewy for up to a week. If your kitchen is humid, throw in a slice of bread to help keep cookies soft; it really works!
Freezing
These cookies freeze really well, which is great if you want to bake in advance. Freeze the baked cookies between layers of parchment paper in a sealed container and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Pop frozen or leftover cookies in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes to refresh their crisp edges while keeping the middle tender—that's my go-to trick for making them taste freshly baked.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Fresh cherries have a lot more moisture than candied ones, which can affect the dough’s texture and baking time. Candied cherries provide sweetness and firmness that hold up well in the cookies, so fresh cherries aren’t recommended for this recipe.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Including a slice of bread in the container can help maintain softness by absorbing excess moisture. For longer storage, freezing is best.
Walnuts and pecans are classic choices for their flavor and texture, but you can also try pistachios or almonds depending on your preference. Toasting the nuts lightly before adding enhances their flavor.
You can try substituting the butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, but note that it may change the texture and flavor slightly. I recommend testing a small batch first to see how you like the results.
Final Thoughts
This Cherry Holiday Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup because it brings together simplicity, flavor, and festive cheer in a way that never fails to impress. I hope you find it as fun and rewarding to make as I do—grab your mixing bowl and let's make some holiday magic happen!
Print
Cherry Holiday Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Cherry Christmas Cookies, a festive treat combining buttery dough with vibrant candied cherries and crunchy nuts. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these cookies offer a delightful balance of sweetness and texture.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 2 cups candied cherries, quartered (red, green, or a combination)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract fully into the creamed mixture.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the flour to the mixture, mixing well to form a cohesive dough.
- Fold in Cherries and Nuts: Gently fold the quartered candied cherries and chopped nuts into the dough for even distribution.
- Shape the Dough: Lay a piece of parchment or waxed paper on the counter, place one-third of the dough onto it, and roll it by hand into a log shape approximately 2 inches in diameter.
- Wrap and Chill: Wrap the log securely in the parchment or waxed paper, twisting the ends, then place it in the refrigerator. Repeat this process with remaining dough portions.
- Chill Dough: Allow all logs to chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours to firm up the dough.
- Slice the Dough: Remove the dough logs from the refrigerator and unwrap. Using a sharp knife, cut slices ¼ inch thick.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the slices onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them appropriately.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive Cherry Christmas Cookies!
Notes
- Use red or green candied cherries for a festive look and authentic flavor.
- Ensure dough chills for at least 3 hours to make slicing easier and maintain cookie shape during baking.
- For a crunchier texture, toast the nuts lightly before adding to the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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