Description
These Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies are a delightful treat combining a tender, buttery base with bursts of sweet maraschino cherries and a touch of almond extract. Topped with a classic Hershey Kiss, they are perfect for festive occasions or anytime you want a charming, flavorful cookie that’s simple to make.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 Cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 Cup powdered sugar
- ¼ Teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon maraschino cherry juice liquid
- ¼ Teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla or cherry)
- 2 Cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- 1 Cup maraschino cherries (chopped)
For Rolling
- ¼ Cup granulated sugar
Topping
- 24 Hershey Kisses
Instructions
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the cookies.
- Add Cherry Juice and Extract: Incorporate the maraschino cherry juice and almond extract (or your choice of vanilla or cherry) into the mixture, continuing to mix until fully smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate Flour and Salt: Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and the salt to the bowl, mixing on low speed until fully combined. Then, gradually add a few tablespoons of additional flour if needed, until the dough reaches a pliable, play-dough-like consistency that doesn’t stick to your hands.
- Fold in Chopped Cherries: Gently stir in the chopped maraschino cherries just until evenly distributed throughout the dough, taking care not to overmix.
- Form and Sugar-Coat Cookies: Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, form small dough balls and roll each ball thoroughly in granulated sugar for a sweet and slightly crunchy coating.
- Chill Dough Balls: Place the coated dough balls in the refrigerator to chill for at least 20 minutes; this helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: While chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange the chilled dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are cooked through and lightly golden.
- Add Hershey Kiss Topping: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press one Hershey Kiss into the center of each warm cookie so it slightly melts and adheres.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack before serving to let the chocolate set properly.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easier mixing and a better texture.
- If dough is too sticky, add flour a tablespoon at a time to reach the right consistency.
- Chilling dough balls helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Maraschino cherry juice adds both sweetness and a subtle cherry flavor; do not substitute with other fruit juices.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Press Hershey Kisses onto the cookies right out of the oven to let them melt slightly and stick.
