Almond Cherry Cookies are classic, melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies infused with almond flavor and finished with a sweet maraschino cherry on top. With their tender texture, subtle almond aroma, and festive appearance, these cookies are a timeless favorite for Christmas baking, holiday cookie platters, and homemade edible gifts. Simple ingredients and an easy preparation make them perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers looking for a traditional holiday cookie that never goes out of style.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this Almond Cherry Cookies recipe because it delivers rich buttery flavor with a nostalgic almond twist in every bite. These cookies are soft yet sturdy, easy to shape, and visually festive thanks to the bright maraschino cherry centers. They’re ideal for Christmas cookie exchanges, holiday dessert tables, and make-ahead baking. Plus, they store beautifully, taste even better the next day, and bring classic bakery-style elegance to your holiday spread with minimal effort.
Almond Cherry Cookies
Almond Cherry Cookies are one of those timeless holiday treats that instantly bring warmth and nostalgia to the Christmas season. With their buttery crumb, delicate almond flavor, and signature cherry center, these cookies have been a staple on holiday cookie trays for generations.
The combination of almond extract and maraschino cherries creates a flavor profile that feels both festive and comforting. Almond adds a subtle nuttiness that enhances the richness of the butter, while the cherry provides a sweet, slightly chewy contrast that makes every bite memorable.
These cookies are especially popular during Christmas because of their bright red cherry topping, which adds instant holiday color without the need for frosting or decorations. They look beautiful arranged on platters, cookie boxes, and dessert tables.
One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its simplicity. With basic pantry ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create bakery-quality cookies without complicated techniques or equipment.
Chilling the dough ensures the cookies hold their shape while baking, resulting in soft, pillowy cookies that don’t spread too much. This makes them perfect for placing the cherry neatly in the center after baking.
Almond Cherry Cookies are also incredibly versatile. They pair perfectly with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, making them a cozy addition to winter afternoons and holiday gatherings.
These cookies are ideal for gifting. Their sturdy texture allows them to travel well, and their classic look makes them feel special and thoughtful when wrapped in holiday packaging.
They’re also a great option if you want something different from chocolate-heavy desserts. The almond and cherry flavors offer a lighter, elegant alternative that balances out a rich holiday dessert spread.
Because they store well, these cookies are perfect for making ahead during the busy holiday season. In fact, their flavor deepens slightly after resting, making them even better the next day.
If you’re looking for a traditional Christmas cookie that’s easy, beautiful, and full of nostalgic charm, Almond Cherry Cookies are a must-bake recipe that will never go out of style.
Servings & Time
Servings: About 36 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Bake Time: 8–12 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup butter
1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 egg, well beaten
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Maraschino cherries, halved
Instructions
Cream together the butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the beaten egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; mix well.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Roll dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 8–12 minutes, depending on cookie size, until lightly golden.
While cookies bake, pat cherries dry and cut in half.
Cool cookies on a rack and gently press a cherry half into the center of each cookie.
Tips
Ingredient Substitutions
Use almond flour for ¼ cup of the flour for extra almond flavor.
Swap maraschino cherries for candied cherries if preferred.
Make-Ahead
Dough can be refrigerated up to 48 hours.
Baked cookies store well for up to 5 days.
Serving Variations
Dust lightly with powdered sugar.
Drizzle with white chocolate for extra elegance.
Avoid Mistakes
Don’t skip chilling the dough—it prevents spreading.
Pat cherries dry to avoid soggy cookies.
Almond Cherry Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 egg well beaten
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Maraschino cherries halved
Instructions
- Cream together the butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the beaten egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8–12 minutes, depending on cookie size, until lightly golden.
- While cookies bake, pat cherries dry and cut in half.
- Cool cookies on a rack and gently press a cherry half into the center of each cookie.
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions
- Use almond flour for ¼ cup of the flour for extra almond flavor.
- Swap maraschino cherries for candied cherries if preferred.
Make-Ahead
- Dough can be refrigerated up to 48 hours.
- Baked cookies store well for up to 5 days.
Serving Variations
- Dust lightly with powdered sugar.
- Drizzle with white chocolate for extra elegance.
Avoid Mistakes
- Don’t skip chilling the dough—it prevents spreading.
- Pat cherries dry to avoid soggy cookies.
