Description
These Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, and speckled with festive red cherries and chocolate chips. With a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a pop of holiday color, they’re perfect for cookie exchanges, gift tins, or a cozy afternoon with coffee. Slice, bake, and enjoy — they’re as easy as they are beautiful!
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup maraschino cherries, well-drained and finely chopped
½ cup mini chocolate chips
Optional: ¼ teaspoon almond extract (for extra flavor)
Instructions
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Add Flavoring: Mix in vanilla (and almond extract, if using) until smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour and salt in a separate bowl, then gradually add to the butter mixture until a soft dough forms.
Fold in Add-Ins: Gently stir in the chopped maraschino cherries and mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Shape and Chill: Form the dough into a log about 2 inches thick, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1–2 hours until firm.
Slice and Bake: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Slice dough into ¼-inch rounds and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
Bake: Bake for 10–15 minutes, until edges are just golden. Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Enjoy: Serve or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Notes
Too crumbly? Add 1–2 teaspoons of milk or cherry juice.
Too sticky? Mix in an extra tablespoon of flour.
To Freeze: Wrap the dough log in plastic and foil; freeze up to 2 months. Slice and bake from frozen, adding 2 minutes to the baking time.
Flavor Tip: For a festive twist, drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Cookies, Holiday Baking, Dessert
- Method: Slice-and-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies, buttery cherry shortbread, slice and bake cookies, festive holiday cookies
