Indulging in a sweet treat has never been easier than with our delightful Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe. Bursting with the rich flavors of maraschino cherries and topped with a smooth milk chocolate kiss, these cookies epitomize culinary elegance while remaining wonderfully simple to prepare. Imagine a bite-sized morsel that strikes a balance between chewy cookie dough and the unexpected delight of a chocolate-topped center. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner looking to explore the world of baking, this recipe guarantees satisfaction with every bite.
The Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe beckons both young and old with its perfect marriage of taste and texture. These cookies become the highlight of any gathering, offering a delightful blend of sweetness, nuttiness from almond extract, and a chocolaty finish. As a vegetarian-friendly dessert, this recipe is accessible, allowing everyone to partake in its joy. Hit every note of joy with each cookie, making it the ultimate choice for festive occasions or a simple indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Ingredients you likely already have in your pantry make this a low-effort, high-reward recipe.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday celebration or just a weekday treat, these cookies fit any occasion.
- Flavor Explosion: Sweetness from maraschino cherries combined with almond and vanilla offer a unique taste sensation.
- Chocolaty Finish: Each cookie is crowned with a chocolate kiss, adding a luscious finish to every bite.
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
As with any successful baking endeavor, preparation is key. Begin by assembling your workspace with all the necessary tools and ingredients. Having a tidy, well-equipped kitchen will make the creation of the Cherry Blossom Cookies both enjoyable and efficient. Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper, ensuring your cookies don’t stick and bake uniformly.
Access the following tools for optimal efficiency: an electric mixer will help achieve a fluffy dough, a silicone spatula for thorough mixing, and a cooling rack crucial for allowing cookies to set perfectly post-baking. Ensure your maraschino cherries are well-drained and patted dry to prevent excess moisture from altering the dough’s consistency. With the kitchen ready, undertake the recipe steps in a flow that makes baking an art.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries (well-drained and patted dry)
- 24 milk chocolate kiss candies (unwrapped)
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring they are adequately prepped to accommodate our cookie spread. Proper preheating is vital to achieving perfectly baked treats that are evenly cooked.
Step 2: Crafting the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, indicating the sugars have dissolved thoroughly. Gradually beat in one large egg, followed by the aromatic vanilla and almond extracts. These extracts impart a uniquely fragrant quality essential to the distinctive flavor profile of this recipe.
Continue by adding the salt and baking soda to the mix. Slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour until you achieve a smooth dough. The cherry on top, quite literally, involves folding in the chopped, well-drained maraschino cherries. Use a spatula to gently distribute the cherries throughout the dough, balancing the blend without over-mixing.
Step 3: Shaping and Baking
With the dough ready, shape it into small balls, each approximately the size of a tablespoon. Arrange these dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spaced about two inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake the cookies for approximately 10–12 minutes, watching closely for them to set around the edges while maintaining a soft center.
Immediately after removing the baked cookies from the oven, press a milk chocolate kiss into the center of each one. Doing this while the cookies are still warm ensures the chocolate adheres nicely as it cools. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely—this step is crucial to achieving the right texture.
Variations
- Protein: For a nutty texture, consider adding chopped almonds or walnuts to the dough.
- Vegetables: Rather than adding typical vegetables, attempt incorporating bits of candied ginger for a zingy flair.
- Spices: Infuse a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg to amplify the flavor profile.
Cooking Notes
- Ensure that your butter is softened, not melted, to achieve the creamiest dough consistency.
- The maraschino cherries must be thoroughly dried to prevent excess moisture from compromising the dough texture.
- For an extra special touch, consider chilling the cookie dough before baking to enhance flavor and structure.
- Substitute milk chocolate kisses with dark chocolate for a more intense chocolate experience.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the cookies alongside ice-cold almond milk for a delightful contrast.
- Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert bowl.
Tips
- When creaming butter and sugars, ensure they become fully fluffy to incorporate air, leading to soft cookies.
- Space dough balls adequately on trays to ensure even baking and prevent merging.
Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
Nutritional Information
- Calories: Information not provided
- Protein: Information not provided
- Sodium: Information not provided
FAQs
Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use?
Yes, you can. To freeze, shape the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until firm, then transfer to an airtight container. Bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the bake time.
What’s the best way to store these cookies?
Store Cherry Blossom Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain freshness.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend; ensure it contains xanthan gum for the best texture.
Is there a suitable substitute for almond extract?
If almond extract is unavailable or undesirable, increase the amount of vanilla extract for a pure vanilla flavor profile.
Conclusion
The Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe is a testament to simple, flavorful baking that anyone can master. These cookies hold great promise for delighting family and friends, with each bite offering a symphony of flavors and textures. Delight in the process and the outcome itself, and consider customizing with personalized variations to make these cookies uniquely yours. Invite engagement by encouraging readers to comment on their baking experiences or suggest their twists on the recipe. Share the recipe with those who appreciate classic cookie goodness touched with a modern twist—and always feel welcome to share any experiments and results!
Print
Cherry Blossom Cookies
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Indulging in a sweet treat has never been easier than with our delightful Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries (well-drained and patted dry)
- 24 milk chocolate kiss candies (unwrapped)
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring they are adequately prepped to accommodate our cookie spread. Proper preheating is vital to achieving perfectly baked treats that are evenly cooked.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, indicating the sugars have dissolved thoroughly. Gradually beat in one large egg, followed by the aromatic vanilla and almond extracts. These extracts impart a uniquely fragrant quality essential to the distinctive flavor profile of this recipe.
- Continue by adding the salt and baking soda to the mix. Slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour until you achieve a smooth dough. The cherry on top, quite literally, involves folding in the chopped, well-drained maraschino cherries. Use a spatula to gently distribute the cherries throughout the dough, balancing the blend without over-mixing.
- With the dough ready, shape it into small balls, each approximately the size of a tablespoon. Arrange these dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spaced about two inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake the cookies for approximately 10–12 minutes, watching closely for them to set around the edges while maintaining a soft center.
- Immediately after removing the baked cookies from the oven, press a milk chocolate kiss into the center of each one. Doing this while the cookies are still warm ensures the chocolate adheres nicely as it cools. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely—this step is crucial to achieving the right texture.
Notes
Ensure that your butter is softened, not melted, to achieve the creamiest dough consistency. The maraschino cherries must be thoroughly dried to prevent excess moisture from compromising the dough texture. For an extra special touch, consider chilling the cookie dough before baking to enhance flavor and structure. Substitute milk chocolate kisses with dark chocolate for a more intense chocolate experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Calories: Information not provided
- Sodium: Information not provided
- Protein: Information not provided