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I discovered this Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookie recipe while flipping through my grandmother's old recipe box and it's become our family's holiday treasure. Those bright red cherries nestled in buttery shortbread remind me of ornaments on a Christmas tree. The way they sparkle on cookie platters makes everyone's eyes light up with holiday joy.
Sweet Holiday Magic
What makes these cookies so special is their perfect balance of buttery shortbread and sweet cherries with just a touch of chocolate. They're wonderfully simple to make but look so elegant on a holiday cookie tray. My friends always ask for the recipe at our annual cookie exchange.
What You'll Need
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (room temperature), for a rich and tender cookie base.
- Powdered Sugar: ½ cup, for a delicate sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: ½ tablespoon, to enhance the flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups, for structure and texture.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon, to balance the sweetness.
- Maraschino Cherries: ¾ cup, chopped and well-drained, for a festive and fruity touch.
- Chocolate Chips: ⅔ cup, for a hint of indulgence.
Let's Make Some Cookies
- Start with Your Base
- Mix those dry ingredients first it helps everything blend perfectly later.
- Make It Creamy
- Beat your butter and sugar until it's light as snow then add that splash of vanilla.
- Bring It Together
- Gently mix in your flour then fold in those pretty cherries and chocolate chips.
- Time to Rest
- Shape your dough into a log wrap it up and let it chill until it's firm.
- Slice and Bake
- Cut into perfect rounds and watch them turn golden in the oven.
My Best Tips
Make sure to pat those cherries really dry before adding them to the dough. Give the dough plenty of time to chill it makes slicing so much easier. If any slices crumble just press them back together they'll bake up beautifully.
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Keep Them Fresh
These cookies stay delicious for days in an airtight container. I love keeping a log of dough in the freezer ready to slice and bake whenever we need some holiday cheer. They're perfect with afternoon tea or packaged up as sweet gifts.
Holiday Joy
These cherry shortbread cookies bring such happiness to our holiday season. Whether they're nestled in gift boxes or arranged on pretty platters they always add that special touch of Christmas magic to our celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why drain the cherries well?
Well-drained cherries prevent excess moisture in the dough which could affect texture and baking. Pat them dry with paper towels if needed.
- → Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, either freeze the wrapped dough log for up to 3 months or freeze baked cookies. Thaw dough in refrigerator before slicing.
- → Why do my cookies crumble when slicing?
If cookies crumble while slicing, simply press the dough back together. Making sure dough is well-chilled helps prevent crumbling.
- → How thick should I slice them?
Slice cookies ¼ to ⅓ inch thick for best results. Too thin may break, too thick won't bake evenly.
- → Can I use different mix-ins?
Yes, try different chocolate types or dried fruit, keeping the total amount of mix-ins similar to maintain proper dough consistency.