Cherry Blossom Cookies (Print Version)
Delightful pink cookies made with maraschino cherries and topped with chocolate kisses for a festive holiday treat.
# Ingredients:
01 -
1 Cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
02 -
1 Cup powdered sugar
03 -
¼ Teaspoon salt
04 -
1 Tablespoon maraschino cherry juice liquid
05 -
¼ Teaspoon almond extract, or vanilla or cherry
06 -
2 Cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
07 -
1 Cup maraschino cherries, chopped
08 -
¼ Cup granulated sugar, for rolling
09 -
24 Hershey Kisses
# Steps:
01 -
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter and confectioners sugar until light and fluffy.
02 -
Add the cherry juice and extract of choice and continue mixing until smooth.
03 -
Add 2 cups of flour and the salt and mix on low until fully incorporated. Once the two cups are added, slowly add a couple of tablespoons at a time until the dough resembles a play-dough consistency and can be handled without sticking to hands.
04 -
Carefully stir in the chopped cherries, just until combined.
05 -
Use a tablespoon-size cookie dough scoop to form small cookie dough balls and roll the balls in granulated sugar until coated.
06 -
Chill the dough balls for at least 20 minutes before baking.
07 -
While the dough is chilling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
08 -
Place cookies evenly apart on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until baked through.
09 -
Remove from the oven and place a Hershey kiss in the center of each cookie.
10 -
Allow to cool before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
Customize it: Feel free to experiment with different extracts and flavors to make this recipe your own. Almond, vanilla, cherry, and also other extracts would also work great.
02 -
Don't skip the chilling: Chilling the dough before rolling and baking is crucial. It helps the cookies hold their shape and guarantees a nice, even texture. Plus, it makes the dough easier to handle.
03 -
Get creative with decorations: The Hershey's Kiss on top of each cookie is not only delicious but also makes for a cute decoration. Consider using a different type of chocolate or a sprinkle of edible glitter for a personalized touch.