Name: Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks); 1 cup powdered sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice; ½ teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract; 2-4 drops red food coloring (optional); 2 – 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup maraschino cherries finely chopped and drained; ¼ cup granulated sugar for rolling; 24 Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped

Imagine biting into a soft, buttery cookie that carries the delicate flavor of cherry blossoms, accented by the sweet pop of maraschino cherries and a classic Hershey’s Kiss on top. That’s exactly what you get with this delightful Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe—a treat that’s as charming to look at as it is to eat.

A white plate with a decorative pattern is filled with many small round pink cookies that have red flecks inside them. Each cookie has a smooth, shiny dollop of brown chocolate in the center. The cookies look soft with slight cracks on the surface. Bright red cherries with stems are scattered between the cookies, adding a fresh contrast. The plate is on a white marbled surface, and two round chocolates appear nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I baked these cherry blossom cookies—how that hint of almond extract combined with cherry juice made them uniquely irresistible. They’re perfect for any occasion, whether you’re sharing with friends or just treating yourself.

Beautiful Presentation: Each cookie is topped with a Hershey’s Kiss, giving them a classic, elegant look that’s perfect for festive gatherings.
Delicate Cherry Flavor: Using maraschino cherry juice and chopped cherries infuses the dough with a lovely fruitiness that feels special but approachable.
Soft & Buttery Texture: The dough is tender and melts in your mouth, making every bite a joy.
Simple to Make: With straightforward ingredients and a quick prep time, these cookies come together easily—even if you’re a busy baker.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When it comes to making the perfect cherry blossom cookies, the quality and preparation of each ingredient really matters. For instance, making sure your maraschino cherries are well-drained keeps the dough from becoming soggy. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need and why these ingredients shine.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar, a few grains of salt scattered nearby, a small white ceramic bowl containing deep red maraschino cherry juice, a small white ceramic bowl with pale almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl holding finely chopped bright red maraschino cherries, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, and a neat cluster of whole Hershey’s Kisses chocolates with shiny silver wrappers, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Softened butter ensures your dough is rich and tender without adding excess saltiness.
Powdered sugar: It blends smoothly with butter, giving the cookies a fine texture and slight sweetness.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
Maraschino cherry juice: This adds that subtle cherry blossom essence and a hint of color.
Almond extract or vanilla extract: I love almond here—it complements the cherry flavor beautifully, but vanilla is a lovely alternative.
Red food coloring (optional): Adds a pretty pink hue that makes these cookies pop on any cookie tray.
All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, carefully measured to achieve a soft but manageable consistency.
Maraschino cherries, finely chopped and drained: The stars of the show—they bring sweetness and texture in every bite.
Granulated sugar for rolling: Coats the dough balls to add a slight crunch and sparkle.
Hershey’s Kisses: The adorable finishing touch that melts just right atop the warm cookies.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe is how easily you can personalize it to suit your taste or occasion. Don’t hesitate to get creative and make these cookies truly your own!

Almond Lover’s Twist: I love enhancing the almond extract slightly when I want a more pronounced nutty flavor—it pairs beautifully with the cherry juice and gives these cookies an elegant aroma that really stands out during the holidays.
Color Pop: Adding 2-4 drops of red food coloring makes these cookies delightfully pink, evoking the look of delicate cherry blossoms. It’s perfect for spring celebrations or Valentine’s Day treats!
Fruit Flavor Swap: For a fun variation, try swapping the almond extract for vanilla extract or even a hint of lemon extract to brighten the flavors and give the cookies a fresh twist.
Diet-Friendly Adjustments: You can experiment with gluten-free flour blends to make these cookies accessible for gluten-sensitive friends or family. Just keep an eye on the dough texture and add flour gradually for the perfect softness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe

A white plate shows a stack of pink cookies with small red cherry pieces mixed inside. The top cookie is broken in half, revealing a thick, smooth dark brown chocolate layer inside. On top of some cookies, there is a chocolate kiss sitting in the middle, shining slightly. A shiny red cherry with a green stem lies next to the stack on the plate, which sits on a white marbled surface. The cookies have a soft, crumbly texture and a round, slightly domed shape, with some cookies blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to keep those adorable cookies from sticking. This small prep step saves cleanup time and keeps your cookies looking perfect.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

In a large bowl, beat together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy. This typically takes around 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. You’ll notice the sugar dissolving into the butter, creating a luscious base for your dough.

Step 3: Add Flavors and Color

Next, add ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice, and ½ teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla if you prefer). If you want that classic rosy pink hue, mix in 2-4 drops of red food coloring now. Stir everything together until fully combined—your kitchen will start to smell delightful!

Step 4: Gradually Mix in Flour

Slowly add 2 cups of all-purpose flour to your wet ingredients, mixing gently after each addition. If the dough feels too soft or sticky, sprinkle in flour little by little—up to 2 ½ cups—until it forms a soft, pliable dough that holds together without sticking to your fingers. This step makes all the difference for cookie texture.

Step 5: Fold in Chopped Maraschino Cherries

Make sure your maraschino cherries (1 cup, finely chopped and thoroughly drained) are as dry as possible to avoid sogginess. Gently fold them into the dough with a spatula, distributing those juicy bursts of cherry evenly throughout. Yum!

Step 6: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Dough Balls

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a smooth ball. Then roll each ball in ¼ cup granulated sugar to give the cookies a delightful sweet crunch on the outside. This coating adds just the right texture contrast and a pretty sparkle.

Step 7: Bake Until Edges Turn Golden

Place your sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for gentle spreading. Bake in your preheated oven for 15 minutes, watching carefully—the edges should turn a soft golden color when the cookies are perfectly baked.

Step 8: Press in Hershey’s Kisses While Warm

As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, gently press an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The warmth will slightly soften the cookie, helping the Kiss nestle in perfectly and create that iconic cherry blossom look.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This final step ensures they keep their shape and texture, making each bite wonderfully tender and butter-rich. Now, dig in and enjoy your charming Cherry Blossom Cookies!

Top Tip

These tips will help you perfect your Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe every time and make baking a breeze.

Chill the Dough: If your dough feels too soft or sticky, chilling it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
Drain Those Cherries Well: Make sure to thoroughly drain and even pat dry your maraschino cherries before folding them in. This prevents excess moisture from making the dough too wet or sticky.
Sugar Rolling for Texture: Rolling each dough ball in granulated sugar before baking gives the cookies a lovely, sweet crunch on the outside—such a nice contrast to the soft interior.
Press Kisses Warm: Add the Hershey’s Kiss right out of the oven while the cookie is still warm and soft. This ensures it sticks perfectly and creates that classic cherry blossom shape.

How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe

A clear glass bowl sits on a white marbled surface, containing a thick beige dough with bright red chopped cherries piled in the center on top. Near the bowl, a white cup filled with whole red cherries is placed on the bottom left, with some scattered cherries around it. Silver-wrapped chocolate kisses are scattered in the top left corner, and a green and white checkered cloth lies folded partially under the bowl on the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These cookies are beautiful on their own, but you can add a little extra charm with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few edible pink flower petals for spring-themed parties. Fresh mint leaves on the serving platter add a nice pop of green and freshness.

Side Dishes

Pair your Cherry Blossom Cookies with a delicate cup of green tea or a mild white tea to complement the almond and cherry flavors. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh berries alongside makes for a perfect dessert experience, especially during warmer months.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Cherry Blossom Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to keep them fresh and soft. This is perfect for keeping a batch ready for guests or a sweet afternoon treat.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. This helps maintain their shape and freshness.

Reheating

To enjoy the cookies warm, simply let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature, then warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This melts the Hershey’s Kiss slightly and refreshes the cookie’s soft texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the almond extract with something else?

Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of almond extract, you can use vanilla extract instead. It will still provide a lovely flavor that complements the maraschino cherries beautifully.

Why are my cookies turning out flat?

If your cookies spread too much, it might be due to the butter being too warm or the dough being too soft. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, and make sure your butter is softened but not melted.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries have a higher water content, which can affect the cookie dough’s texture. If you want to substitute, dry them thoroughly and chop finely, but maraschino cherries are preferred for the best flavor and consistency.

Do I need to use red food coloring?

No, red food coloring is optional. It adds a pretty pink hue that mimics cherry blossoms, but the cookies will still be delicious and charming without it.

Final Thoughts

Baking these Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino Cherries Recipe has always felt like a little celebration in my kitchen—a sweet reminder that simple ingredients can come together to create something both beautiful and delicious. I hope these cookies bring you the same joy, whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because you deserve a little treat. Happy baking!