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