Maraschino Cherry Cookies are a delightful, vibrant treat perfect for holidays, bake sales, or simply brightening your day with a pop of color and sweet, fruity flavor. This easy recipe delivers foolproof, chewy cookies bursting with the iconic taste of maraschino cherries, and it’s an incredibly useful guide for anyone looking to bake something special without fuss.
Key Ingredients for Maraschino Cherry Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but enhances cherry flavor)
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Maraschino cherries, drained and roughly chopped (reserve a few whole for garnish if desired)
- Maraschino cherry juice (reserved from the can, about 1-2 tablespoons, for color and flavor in the glaze)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
How to Make Maraschino Cherry Cookies
Whip up these Maraschino Cherry Cookies for an effortlessly delicious and satisfying treat that’s as beautiful as it is tasty. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes, these chewy cookies are perfect for busy bakers. Their bright cherry flavor and festive appearance are sure to impress, making them a wonderful addition to any cookie jar or special occasion.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This process, often done with an electric mixer or by hand, incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ tender texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the two large eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and the optional almond extract for an extra layer of classic cherry flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Make sure to distribute the baking soda and salt evenly throughout the flour to ensure consistent leavening and flavor.
- Gradually Add Dry to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Incorporate the Cherries: Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries. Reserve a few whole cherries for decoration if you wish. The vibrant red of the cherries will start to show through the dough.
- Portion the Dough: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set but still slightly soft. The exact baking time will depend on your oven and cookie size.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for the cookies to firm up properly.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the cookies are cooling, prepare the maraschino cherry glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons of reserved maraschino cherry juice (for color and flavor), and 2 tablespoons of milk or cream.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: Add more milk or cream, a teaspoon at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired drizzling consistency. If you want a more intense cherry flavor and color, you can add a tiny bit more cherry juice.
- Glaze the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle or spread the glaze over the tops. You can use a spoon or a piping bag for precise decorating. If you reserved whole cherries, place one on top of each glazed cookie for a festive touch.
- Let the Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set completely before stacking or serving the Maraschino Cherry Cookies. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
Why You’ll Love This Maraschino Cherry Cookies
You’ll absolutely adore these Maraschino Cherry Cookies for their incredibly cheerful appearance and surprisingly simple preparation. The star of the show is undeniably the bright, sweet burst of maraschino cherry flavor, which infuses every chewy bite, making them a delightful alternative to plain sugar cookies or even classic chocolate chip cookies. Not only are they a visual treat with their vibrant pink hue, but making them at home is also wonderfully cost-effective, saving you money compared to specialty bakery treats.
These cookies are the perfect balance of soft, chewy texture and sweet, fruity goodness, elevated by a gorgeous, simple glaze that adds just the right touch. They’re reminiscent of nostalgic childhood treats but with a grown-up appeal that everyone will enjoy. So why not bring a smile to your family’s faces and try making these delightful Maraschino Cherry Cookies today – they’re a guaranteed hit!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious Maraschino Cherry Cookies for days to come. Once the glaze has set completely, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. Ensure that no air can get in to keep them from becoming stale.
If you have a surplus and want them to last even longer, you can freeze the unfrosted or fully glazed cookies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply bring them to room temperature. If they feel a little dry, you can briefly warm them in a low-heat oven (around 250°F or 120°C) for a few minutes.
Final Thoughts
These Maraschino Cherry Cookies are a true delight, offering a perfect blend of simple baking and vibrant, fruity flavor. Encourage yourself to try this recipe at home for a guaranteed smile and a delicious treat that’s sure to become a favorite.
Maraschino Cherry Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This process, often done with an electric mixer or by hand, incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ tender texture.1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- Beat in the two large eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and the optional almond extract for an extra layer of classic cherry flavor.2 large large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon almond extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Make sure to distribute the baking soda and salt evenly throughout the flour to ensure consistent leavening and flavor.2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries. Reserve a few whole cherries for decoration if you wish. The vibrant red of the cherries will start to show through the dough.1 cup Maraschino cherries, drained and roughly chopped
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set but still slightly soft. The exact baking time will depend on your oven and cookie size.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for the cookies to firm up properly.
- While the cookies are cooling, prepare the maraschino cherry glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons of reserved maraschino cherry juice (for color and flavor), and 2 tablespoons of milk or cream.1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons Maraschino cherry juice, 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- Add more milk or cream, a teaspoon at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired drizzling consistency. If you want a more intense cherry flavor and color, you can add a tiny bit more cherry juice.2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, 1-2 tablespoons Maraschino cherry juice
- Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle or spread the glaze over the tops. You can use a spoon or a piping bag for precise decorating. If you reserved whole cherries, place one on top of each glazed cookie for a festive touch.1-2 tablespoons Maraschino cherry juice
- Allow the glaze to set completely before stacking or serving the Maraschino Cherry Cookies. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.