These Cherry Blossom Cookies are a soft shortbread style cookie with delightful hints of almond, perfectly paired with the irresistible combination of chocolate and cherry!
Cherry Blossom Cookies: The Ultimate Chocolate and Cherry Lover’s Delight
Step into a world of nostalgic flavors with our exquisite Cherry Blossom Cookies recipe. This fantastic vintage treat beautifully marries the delicate crumb of shortbread with the luscious zest of cherry and the rich indulgence of chocolate. Often regarded as a charming cousin to the universally adored Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies, these cherry-infused delights offer a unique twist that’s sure to captivate your taste buds.
With their captivating, classic blossom cookie appearance and their wonderfully sweet and tender texture, these cookies don’t just taste good – they evoke cherished memories. They’re the quintessential treat to share with someone special on Valentine’s Day, celebrate a Galentine’s gathering, or simply to brighten any day with a touch of homemade magic. The vibrant pink hue, courtesy of maraschino cherries, makes them an instant favorite for festive occasions and a standout on any dessert platter. Get ready to bake a batch of pure joy that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Cherry Blossom Cookies
These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a celebration of flavor and texture, designed to impress and satisfy. Here’s why our Cherry Blossom Cookies will become your new go-to recipe:
- Perfect Flavor Harmony: The subtle nuttiness of almond extract perfectly complements the bright, fruity notes of cherry, all balanced by the classic sweetness of a Hershey Kiss chocolate. It’s a sophisticated flavor profile that appeals to all ages.
- Irresistibly Soft Shortbread: We’ve perfected the shortbread base to be incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth, providing the ideal canvas for the cherry and chocolate toppings.
- Visually Stunning: The beautiful pink dough, coated in sparkling granulated sugar, and topped with a dark chocolate kiss creates an eye-catching dessert that’s perfect for gifting or serving at parties.
- Nostalgic Charm: These cookies have a timeless appeal, reminiscent of classic homemade treats that bring comfort and joy. They’re a delightful nod to traditional baking with a vibrant twist.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: While they shine on Valentine’s Day, their charming appearance and delicious taste make them suitable for Christmas, birthdays, bridal showers, or simply as an everyday indulgence.
- Beginner-Friendly: With clear, step-by-step instructions, even novice bakers can achieve perfect results, making this a rewarding recipe to try.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Blossom Cookies
While it might seem like an optional step, I highly recommend using parchment paper when preparing and baking these Cherry Blossom Cookies. During recipe testing, I found that cookies made without parchment often stuck to the baking sheet and were difficult to remove cleanly. The dough for these shortbread-style cookies is wonderfully soft and delicate, making parchment paper essential for easy handling and preventing sticking. It ensures your cookies maintain their beautiful shape and come off the tray effortlessly, resulting in a perfect batch every time.
The ideal consistency for your Cherry Blossom Cookie dough is similar to that of very moist playdough. When you roll a small portion of the dough between your palms, it should form a smooth ball without sticking to your hands. Crucially, you shouldn’t have to force the dough together; it should come together easily and hold its shape. If it crumbles, it’s too dry. If it’s overly sticky, it needs more flour. Achieving this balanced texture is key to perfectly shaped and baked cookies.
Adjusting the dough consistency is simple. If your dough is too sticky to handle comfortably, gradually add more all-purpose flour, one tablespoon at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, until it reaches that moist playdough consistency. Be careful not to add too much flour, as this can result in dry and crumbly cookies. Conversely, if your dough feels too dry and you have to force it together to form a ball, you can add a tiny bit more maraschino cherry juice or a few drops of water/milk to introduce moisture until the desired pliable texture is achieved. Small adjustments make a big difference!
The choice of extract really comes down to personal preference and the flavor profile you wish to emphasize. Almond extract provides a classic, delicate complement to the cherry and chocolate, enhancing the overall depth without overpowering. Vanilla extract offers a universally loved, warm, and sweet aroma that pairs beautifully with almost any flavor. For an intensified cherry experience, a touch of cherry extract can elevate the fruitiness. I’ve personally enjoyed these cookies with both almond and vanilla extracts. My family often prefers the comforting familiarity of vanilla, while I lean towards the sophisticated hint of almond.
Yes, chilling the dough is a critical step that should not be skipped! While these are small cookies, a brief chill period prevents them from spreading too much during baking. The cold butter in the dough firms up, helping the cookies retain their lovely spherical shape and delicate shortbread texture. Fortunately, you don’t need to chill them for an extended period; I’ve found that just 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator is sufficient to achieve the perfect bake, ensuring they don’t flatten excessively and maintain their signature “blossom” appearance.
Absolutely! The charming pink hue of these cookies primarily comes from the maraschino cherries and their juice. If you desire a more vivid and striking pink color, there are a couple of tricks you can use. You can add a few drops of pink or red food coloring to the dough along with the cherry juice to boost the vibrancy. Another wonderful option for an extra pop of color and texture is to roll the cookie dough balls in pink granulated sugar instead of white sugar before baking. This adds a beautiful sparkle and intensifies the visual appeal, making them even more festive!
Determining when these colored cookies are perfectly baked can be a little tricky compared to traditional light-colored cookies. You’ll want to look for subtle signs rather than a pronounced golden-brown. The edges of the cookies will begin to show very slight browning, indicating they are cooked through. Another helpful tip is to gently lift one of the cookies with a spatula and peek underneath. If the bottom is lightly golden and set, they are likely ready. Remember that shortbread cookies are meant to be tender, so avoid overbaking, which can lead to a dry texture.
Proper storage ensures your delicious Cherry Blossom Cookies stay fresh and delightful. Once the cookies have completely cooled to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container. They will keep beautifully at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. If you wish to extend their freshness, these cookies freeze wonderfully. Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When thawing, be gentle, as the Hershey Kisses can sometimes become detached or fall off if handled roughly while still frozen or during the thawing process. For best results, thaw at room temperature.
Absolutely! While Hershey Kisses are classic for blossom cookies and provide that iconic shape, you can certainly experiment with other chocolates. Mini chocolate chips can be pressed into the center for a different look and texture. You could also use small squares of your favorite chocolate bar, or even a dollop of melted chocolate if you prefer. Consider milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate for a variation in flavor and appearance that complements the cherry notes. The key is to add the chocolate while the cookies are still warm from the oven so it melts slightly and adheres well.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cherry Blossom Cookies
Crafting these delectable Cherry Blossom Cookies requires a few key ingredients, each playing an important role in achieving their signature flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some valuable tips for each:
- Unsalted Butter: This is the foundation of our shortbread, contributing to its rich flavor and tender crumb. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for optimal creaming with the powdered sugar, which results in a light and fluffy dough. If you ever forget to take your butter out in time, check out my guide on how to soften butter quickly.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar blends seamlessly into the dough, contributing to the cookie’s smooth texture without any grittiness. Some bakers prefer to sift their powdered sugar to remove any lumps, ensuring an even consistency in the dough – feel free to do so for the best results.
- Maraschino Cherry Juice: Sourced directly from the jar of maraschino cherries, this juice is crucial for both the cookie’s beautiful pink color and its delicate cherry flavor. Don’t skip it!
- Almond Extract: This extract provides a wonderful depth of flavor that complements the cherry and chocolate so well. However, if you’re not an almond fan, you can easily substitute it with cherry extract for an intensified cherry taste, or classic vanilla extract for a more universally appealing, warm flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structure of your cookies depends on the flour. It is absolutely crucial to measure your flour correctly to avoid dry, crumbly cookies. Do not pack your measuring cup; instead, lightly spoon the flour into the cup and level it off with the flat side of a butter knife. If you have a kitchen scale, measuring by weight (e.g., grams) is always the most accurate method for baking.
- Maraschino Cherries: Chopped maraschino cherries are folded into the dough, adding bursts of chewy, fruity sweetness and enhancing the cookies’ signature pink hue. For this recipe, I have exclusively used maraschino cherries, so I cannot confirm how other types of cherries, such as fresh, frozen, or morello cherries, would perform in terms of moisture and texture.
- Granulated White Sugar: This is used for rolling the cookie dough balls before baking. The sugar coating not only adds a lovely sparkle and a touch of sweetness but also creates a delightful, slightly crisp texture on the exterior of the soft cookie.
- Hershey Kisses: The iconic chocolate “kiss” pressed into the center of each warm cookie defines the blossom cookie. While classic milk chocolate Kisses are traditional, feel free to experiment with different Hershey’s Kiss flavors that you think would pair well with the cherry notes, such as dark chocolate, cherry cordial, or even white chocolate Kisses for a festive look.
How to Make Delicious Cherry Blossom Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed steps to create your own batch of irresistible Cherry Blossom Cookies that are sure to impress!
Preparing the Dough Base
Begin by ensuring your unsalted butter is at true room temperature – soft enough to indent with a finger but not melted. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the softened butter with the powdered sugar. Using an electric hand mixer, beat these two ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture becomes wonderfully light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process incorporates air, contributing to the tender texture of the shortbread. Next, pour in the vibrant maraschino cherry juice and your chosen extract (almond, vanilla, or cherry). Continue mixing until these liquids are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and evenly colored. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
Adding Dry Ingredients and Cherries
To the wet mixture, add 2 cups of your measured all-purpose flour and the salt. Mix on the lowest speed of your electric mixer until the flour is just incorporated. The dough will likely still be quite soft at this stage. Now, gradually add the remaining flour, a couple of tablespoons at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Continue this process until the dough achieves a consistency similar to moist playdough – it should be firm enough to handle without sticking to your hands, but not dry or crumbly. You might not need the full 2.5 cups of flour, so trust the feel of your dough. Once the dough reaches the right consistency, gently fold in the finely chopped maraschino cherries. Stir just enough to distribute them evenly throughout the dough without overworking it.
Forming and Chilling the Cookies
Using a tablespoon-sized round cookie dough scoop (or simply a tablespoon), measure out portions of dough and roll them between your palms to form smooth, uniform balls. Next, roll each dough ball generously in granulated white sugar until it’s completely coated. This sugar coating will create a lovely sparkle and a slightly crisp exterior after baking. Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This parchment paper is vital for preventing sticking and ensuring easy removal. Once all the cookies are on the tray, place the entire baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill for at least 20 minutes. This chilling step is crucial; it helps the butter firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking and ensuring they hold their charming blossom shape.
Baking and Finishing Touches
While your cookie dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the chilling time is complete and the oven is preheated, bake the cookies for approximately 10 minutes. The exact baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven’s calibration, whether it’s convection, gas, or electric, and even the rack position. Keep an eye on them; you’re looking for very subtle browning around the edges. Avoid overbaking, as these shortbread-style cookies are meant to be soft and tender.
As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, while they are still warm and pliable, gently press a Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie. The residual heat from the cookie will slightly melt the chocolate, allowing it to settle perfectly into its blossom shape. Now for the hardest part: resist the urge to eat them immediately! Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet or transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This allows the chocolate to firm up again and the cookie’s texture to set perfectly before you enjoy them. Once cooled, these delightful treats are ready to be served and savored!
Tips for Baking Success
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing flour develops gluten, leading to tougher cookies. Mix just until combined.
- Uniform Cookie Size: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all cookies are the same size. This promotes even baking.
- Cold Baking Sheets: If baking in batches, allow your baking sheets to cool down completely between batches. Placing dough on a hot sheet can cause premature spreading.
- Oven Calibration: Ovens can vary. If your cookies aren’t baking as expected, consider using an oven thermometer to check your oven’s actual temperature.
- Prevent Sticking: Always use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. It makes a huge difference for delicate cookies.
Craving More Delicious Recipes?
- Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake
- Cherry Almond Poke Cake
- Cherry Chocolate Chip Bars
- Maraschino Cherry Cake (+Video)
- Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies
Cherry Blossom Cookies
★
★
★
★
Print
Pin
Rate
10 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
40 minutes
12
servings
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
-
1
cup
(2 sticks) unsalted butter
softened to room temperature -
1
cup
powdered sugar -
1
Tablespoon
maraschino cherry juice
(from the jar of maraschino cherries) -
¼
teaspoon
almond extract
(cherry extract or vanilla extract) -
2- 2 ½
cups
all purpose flour -
¼
teaspoon
salt -
1
cup
chopped maraschino cherries -
¼
cup
granulated white sugar
for rolling -
24
Hershey Kisses
Instructions
- In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, combine the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the cherry juice and extract of choice and continue mixing until smooth.
- Add 2 cups of flour and salt and mix on low until fully incorporated. Once the two cups are added, slowly add a couple of Tablespoons of flour at a time until the dough resembles a playdough consistency and can be handled without sticking to hands (you may not need the full amount).
- Carefully stir in the chopped maraschino cherries, just until combined.
- Use a Tablespoon round cookie dough scoop to form small cookie dough balls and roll the balls in granulated sugar until coated.
- Place them evenly apart on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Chill the dough balls for at least 20 minutes before baking.
- While the dough is chilling, preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
- Bake cookies in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until baked through. (See notes below for oven variations.)
- Remove from the oven and place a Hershey Kiss in the center of each cookie while they are still warm.
- Allow to cool before serving.
Notes
- Please refer to the FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and the detailed ingredient list above for other substitutions or for comprehensive answers to the most common questions.
- This recipe yields approximately 12 servings, with each serving calculated as 2 cookies.
- Important Note on Baking Times: As with all baked goods, oven times are approximate and can vary significantly. Factors such as the type of oven used (convection, gas, or electric), the specific rack position, and individual oven hot spots all play a role. It is always best to rely on your personal knowledge of your oven and to check the cookies for doneness according to visual cues rather than strictly adhering to estimated times.
Dessert
American
Nutrition
Calories:
443
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
65
g
|
Protein:
6
g
|
Fat:
19
g
|
Sodium:
60
mg
|
Fiber:
2
g
|
Sugar:
28
g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Did you make this recipe?
Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!