There’s something magical about biting into cherry-studded treats during the holidays, and that’s exactly what makes this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe so special. Soft, buttery dough meets vibrant, sweet cherries—every bite feels like a little festive celebration right in your mouth.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I first made this recipe years ago at a family Christmas party, and ever since, it’s been my go-to cookie for the holidays. It’s one of those recipes that feels both nostalgic and special—like a warm holiday hug you can eat.
- Festive Flavors: The combination of buttery dough, sweet powdered sugar, and bright candied cherries create that perfect Christmas vibe.
- Easy to Make: Despite looking fancy, these cookies are surprisingly simple and perfect for baking with friends or family.
- Customizable: You can swap out nuts or try different cherry colors to suit your taste or holiday decor.
- Great Make-Ahead Treat: The dough freezes beautifully, so you can bake fresh cookies whenever the mood strikes.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe works together to create that delicate balance of texture and flavor. From the smooth butter to the chewy candied cherries, here’s a quick peek at what you need and why it’s important.
- Butter: This is your base for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie—room temperature works best here.
- Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and keeps the cookie light and soft compared to granulated sugar.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds just enough moisture to the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
- Flour: Provides structure; I prefer all-purpose flour for the right balance of chew and softness.
- Chopped Nuts: Typically walnuts or pecans, they add crunch and a nutty undertone that complements the cherries.
- Candied Cherries: The star here! The sweet, colorful cherries bring festive cheer and juicy bursts in every bite.
Make It Your Way
While I love the classic texture and flavor, one of the best things about this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe is that you can easily tweak it to fit your tastes. I encourage you to play around and find what feels festive and fun for you.
- Variation: I’ve swapped the nuts for slivered almonds before, which added a lovely delicate crunch and a slightly different nuttiness that felt lighter.
- Dietary tweak: For a gluten-free version, try using a gluten-free flour blend—but be sure to test your flour's absorbency!
- Appearance tweak: Mixing red and green candied cherries adds a whimsical, colorful touch perfect for a Christmas cookie platter.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Sweetness
Start by creaming 1 cup of room temp butter with 1 cup of powdered sugar. I like to do this with a hand mixer on medium speed—this gives you a light, fluffy base that’s key for tender cookies.
Step 2: Add the Flavor Boost
Next, crack in one egg and pour in a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix these in until they're fully combined, then slowly add in your flour. This gradual mixing helps you avoid overworking the dough while ensuring everything blends perfectly.
Step 3: Fold in Festive Goodies
Now for the fun part: gently fold in 1 cup of chopped nuts and 2 cups of quartered candied cherries. Take your time here—making sure the cherries are evenly distributed will mean every cookie gets bursts of sweet holiday flavor. I usually use my hands for this, which gives me great control.
Step 4: Shape and Chill for Flavor
Divide the dough into three equal parts and roll each into a 2-inch diameter log on parchment paper. Wrap each log tightly like a candy and pop them in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Chilling is crucial—it firms up the dough so your cookies hold their shape while baking.
Step 5: Slice and Bake
Once chilled, unwrap the logs and slice them into ¼-inch rounds. Lay these slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them out so they don’t stick. Bake at 350°F for 13-15 minutes or until just lightly golden. Watch closely near the end—overbaking will dry them out!
Top Tip
I’ve made this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe dozens of times, and a few tricks really make a difference in how they turn out—so I’m sharing my top tips below to help you nail it on your first try.
- Chill the Dough Well: Don’t skimp on the chilling time. The dough will be easier to slice and the cookies keep their shape better.
- Even Cherry Distribution: Use your hands to gently mix in cherries—they’re delicate and can break if stirred too roughly.
- Watch Your Oven: Because ovens vary, start checking your cookies at 12 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Use Parchment Paper: It prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze, plus helps cookies bake evenly.
How to Serve Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually dust my cookies lightly with extra powdered sugar before serving—it adds a snowy touch and complements the sweet cherry flavor perfectly. Sometimes, I add a few whole candied cherries on the platter for color and festive appeal.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of mulled cider or spiced hot chocolate. If you’re hosting a holiday brunch, serve them alongside cream cheese pancakes or even a light citrus salad to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, I love stacking these cookies in a pretty tin lined with Christmas-themed tissue paper. Sometimes, I tie them in small bundles with a ribbon—looks charming and feels thoughtful. On platters, mixing green and red cherries makes the display instantly festive and eye-catching.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. The cookies stay soft but still wonderfully chewy, which is exactly how I love them fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze the unbaked dough logs wrapped well in plastic wrap (then foil for extra protection) for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight, slice, and bake as usual. This is a lifesaver during busy holiday weeks!
Reheating
If you want to refresh stored cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. They come out warm and soft, almost like fresh from the oven, without drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Fresh cherries have a much higher moisture content, which could make the cookie dough too wet and affect baking. Candied cherries provide sweetness, color, and texture that’s central to this recipe’s charm.
Gentle folding with your hands rather than vigorous stirring prevents the cherries from breaking apart. This technique helps distribute them evenly without turning them into a mess.
You can try substituting butter with a dairy-free margarine and using a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoon water) instead of a regular egg. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Use a sharp knife and slice the logs into thin (about ¼ inch) rounds while the dough is cold. If the dough is too soft, chill it a bit longer before slicing to maintain neat edges.
Final Thoughts
Making this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe always reminds me of cozy kitchens filled with laughter and the smell of the holidays. It’s simple, joyful, and rewarding. Trust me, once you try these cookies, they’ll become part of your own holiday tradition. So grab those candied cherries, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy every delicious moment!
Print
Cherry Christmas 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
These Cherry Christmas Cookies are buttery, tender, and studded with colorful candied cherries and crunchy nuts, making them a festive treat perfect for holiday celebrations.
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 ensure it's ready for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, which creates a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture until well combined.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly to form a soft dough.
- Fold in Cherries and Nuts: Gently fold the quartered candied cherries and chopped nuts into the dough ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
- Shape Dough Logs: Place parchment or waxed paper on the counter. Take about one-third of the dough and roll it into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter using your hands. Wrap the log securely in the paper and twist the ends.
- Chill Dough: Place the wrapped dough log in the refrigerator. Repeat shaping and chilling for the remaining dough portions, then chill all logs for at least 3 hours to firm up.
- Slice Dough: Remove the dough logs from the refrigerator and unwrap them. Using a sharp knife, slice the logs into ¼ inch thick cookies and arrange them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the sliced cookies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until they turn a light golden color.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use either red, green, or a combination of candied cherries to add festive colors to the cookies.
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for best creaming results.
- Chilling the dough logs properly helps in slicing uniform cookies and retaining shape during baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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