Dreamy Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Sweet and buttery shortbread cookies with maraschino cherry pieces offer a delightful twist on a classic holiday treat.

Packed with vibrant red cherry bits, these Christmas maraschino cherry shortbread cookies sparkle like festive jewels on your dessert plate.

The rich, crumbly texture melts in your mouth with every delectable bite.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a perfect balance of textures that everyone will adore.

Bakers of all skill levels can whip up these charming cookies with minimal effort.

The bright cherry specks add a cheerful pop of color and tangy sweetness to traditional shortbread.

You’ll love how these simple yet elegant cookies become an instant crowd-pleaser at any holiday gathering.

Prepare to delight your loved ones with this irresistible seasonal recipe.

Tools for Mixing and Baking Cherry Shortbread

• Mixing Bowls: Two medium-sized bowls for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for flour, sugar, and vanilla.
• Cutting Board: For shaping dough into a log.
• Plastic Wrap: To wrap and chill the dough log.
• Baking Sheet: Lined with parchment paper for even cookie baking.
• Sharp Knife: For slicing chilled dough into uniform cookies.
• Parchment Paper: To prevent cookies from sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

Stepwise Instructions for Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Step 1: Blend Dry Ingredients

In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt until completely combined.

Create a smooth, even mixture that will give your cookies a perfect texture.

Step 2: Whip Butter Mixture

In a separate large bowl, cream butter with powdered sugar until light and fluffy.

Stir in vanilla extract, creating a rich and aromatic base for your cookies.

Step 3: Combine Dough Components

Gently fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture, stirring until soft clumps begin to form.

• Chocolate chips
• Drained maraschino cherries

Blend until ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 4: Shape Cookie Log

Roll the dough into a compact log about 2 inches thick, pressing firmly to ensure a tight, solid shape.

Wrap the log completely in plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets remain.

Step 5: Chill Dough

Refrigerate the wrapped dough for 1-2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and dough to firm up.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for perfect cookie removal.

Step 7: Slice and Arrange

Remove dough from refrigerator and unwrap.

Slice the log into 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick rounds.

Place cookie slices on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake cookies for 10-15 minutes, watching for light golden edges.

Remove from oven when cookies are just turning golden brown.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy these festive, chocolatey cherry shortbread treats!

Tips for Buttery Cherry Cookie Success

• Pat maraschino cherries completely dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy.
• Refrigerate log for full 2 hours to ensure cookies hold shape and don't spread during baking.
• Watch cookies closely during last few minutes of baking to achieve perfect light golden color without overcooking.
• Use sharp knife for clean, even slices when cutting chilled dough log to maintain uniform cookie shapes.
• Keep cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.

Shortbread Cookie Variations with Cherries

• Gluten-Free Cherry Shortbread: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cookie's rich texture.
• Vegan Cherry Delight: Swap butter for coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based alternative that's equally delicious.
• Low-Sugar Cherry Shortbread: Substitute powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the classic shortbread flavor.
• Dark Chocolate Cherry Variation: Swap milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate and add extra chopped cherries for an intense, sophisticated cookie profile.

How to Serve Maraschino Cherry Shortbread

• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange cookies on a decorative Christmas plate with sprigs of fresh rosemary and dusted powdered sugar for elegant presentation.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbon, perfect for homemade holiday gifting to friends and family.
• Dessert Companion: Serve alongside hot cocoa or vanilla latte, creating a delightful winter treat that enhances the rich chocolate and cherry flavors.
• Garnish Elegance: Top each cookie with a tiny drizzle of white chocolate or sprinkle of crushed candy cane for extra holiday flair.

Storage Tips for Christmas Shortbread Cookies

• Store cookies in airtight container, layered between parchment paper, for up to 5 days in refrigerator.
• Wrap log or baked cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze uncooked log for 3 months or baked cookies for 2 months.
• Keep in sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Warm cookies in preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore crisp texture and fresh-baked taste.

FAQs

• What are maraschino cherries?

Maraschino cherries are sweet, bright red cherries that have been preserved in a sugary syrup, originally from Croatia. They’re commonly used in desserts, cocktails, and baking to add color and a distinct sweet flavor.

• Can I use regular cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

No, regular fresh cherries won’t work. Maraschino cherries have a unique sweetness and bright color that’s essential to this shortbread cookie recipe. They’re preserved differently and have a specific texture that helps maintain the cookie’s structure.

• How do I prevent the cherries from bleeding color into the dough?

Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels before adding to the dough. This helps minimize color bleeding and prevents excess moisture from affecting the cookie texture.

Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies What’s to Love

• Perfect holiday cookies that blend sweet maraschino cherries with rich chocolate chips, creating a delightful seasonal dessert everyone will love.
• Minimal ingredients and simple mixing technique make these cookies super fast to assemble, ideal for busy bakers during Christmas season.
• Easy enough for kids to help slice and arrange cookies, turning baking into a fun family activity that creates lasting memories.
• Elegant slice-and-bake design means you can prepare dough ahead of time and bake fresh cookies for gatherings, making entertaining stress-free.

All the Ingredients for Cherry Shortbread Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure to the shortbread cookies.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.
• Butter: Creates a rich, tender texture and adds delicious flavor to the shortbread.
• Powdered Sugar: Gives the cookies a delicate sweetness and helps create a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Maraschino Cherries: Provides a festive pop of color and sweet, fruity taste to the cookies.
• Chocolate Chips: Introduces rich chocolate flavor and creates delightful texture contrast.

• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cookie removal and prevents sticking during baking.

Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delightful Christmas maraschino cherry shortbread cookies blend festive cheer with buttery sweetness. Rich crumbly texture and bright red cherry accents create a memorable holiday treat perfect for sharing with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup maraschino cherries, chopped and drained

Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup chocolate chips

Seasoning:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry base for the cookie dough.
2. In a separate large bowl, thoroughly cream butter with powdered sugar until light and fluffy, then gently incorporate vanilla extract.
3. Gradually fold flour mixture into butter mixture, stirring until loose crumbly texture develops.
4. Carefully fold chocolate chips and finely chopped maraschino cherries into the dough, distributing ingredients evenly.
5. Using hands, compress dough into a compact cylindrical log approximately 2 inches in diameter, ensuring firm and tight formation.
6. Tightly wrap log in plastic wrap, sealing edges completely to prevent moisture loss.
7. Refrigerate dough log for 1-2 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and dough to firm up.
8. Preheat oven to 325°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
9. Remove chilled dough log and slice into uniform 1/4-inch thick rounds using sharp knife.
10. Arrange cookie slices on prepared baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart to allow proper spreading.
11. Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching carefully until edges turn delicate golden brown.
12. Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely on baking sheet before transferring to wire rack.

Notes

• Drain cherries thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making cookies soggy, ensuring a crisp texture.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better incorporation with other ingredients.
• Experiment with white chocolate chips or chopped nuts for added crunch and flavor variation.
• Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg