There’s something magically nostalgic about every bite of the Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe—a chewy, buttery treat studded with vibrant candied cherries that instantly brightens up any holiday spread. These cookies are like little bites of festive joy that I love sharing with friends and family downtown by the crackling fire.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
What makes this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe stand out is the perfect balance between buttery richness and bursts of tart-sweet cherries, all wrapped up in a tender, slightly crumbly cookie. I genuinely look forward to making these every year—they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and so much fun to bake with kids or friends.
- Festive Flavors: Candied cherries bring vibrant color and a delightful pop of sweetness that screams holiday cheer.
- Easy Preparation: You'll love how straightforward the process is—rolling the dough into logs makes slicing and baking a breeze.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough chills beautifully, so you can prep in advance and bake fresh cookies anytime.
- Traditional Touch: Chopped nuts add a warm, toasty crunch that complements the soft texture and rich flavor perfectly.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe plays a vital role. The butter and powdered sugar create that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, while the vanilla deepens the aroma. Flour binds it all, and the nuts and candied cherries bring both texture and festive flavor. Shopping tip: pick good-quality candied cherries—they really elevate the final cookie.
- Butter: Using real, unsalted butter provides a rich base and tender crumb.
- Powdered Sugar: Its fine texture blends smoothly, creating a delicate sweetness without grit.
- Egg: Adds moisture and acts as a binder to keep the dough together.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the depth of flavor and lifts all the ingredients.
- Flour: The structure builder; using all-purpose flour works best for balance.
- Chopped Nuts: Toasted walnuts or pecans add a satisfying crunch and a nutty, warm element.
- Candied Cherries: Red, green, or a combo gives color and sweet tang—quarter them for even distribution in each bite.
Make It Your Way
I love playing with this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe to suit different moods or dietary needs. Sometimes I swap the nuts for seeds to make it nut-free, or add a pinch of cinnamon for a spicy holiday twist. You can easily make it yours—this dough is forgiving and fun to experiment with.
- Variation: I’ve tried replacing candied cherries with dried cranberries and orange zest—equally delicious and adds a fresh zing.
- Dietary Twist: Using gluten-free flour blend works well if you need to avoid gluten, just chill the dough a little longer.
- Sweetness Level: If you want a less sweet cookie, reduce the powdered sugar slightly; it still holds flavor beautifully.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar to Soft, Fluffy Perfection
First things first, bring your butter to room temperature—it needs to be soft but not melted. I like to beat the butter and powdered sugar on medium speed until you get a light, fluffy texture, about 3-4 minutes. This step really sets the stage for tender cookies with great lift.
Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla, Then Mix in Flour Slowly
Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add the egg and vanilla. Be sure to mix until just combined so you don’t overwork the dough. Then, add the flour gradually to avoid flour clouds and to ensure an even blend. You want the dough soft but manageable, not sticky.
Step 3: Fold in Chopped Nuts and Candied Cherries Gently
This is where the magic happens—the chopped nuts and quartered cherries go in last. Gently fold them in so they’re evenly spread throughout the dough without breaking up the cherries too much. This step keeps all those vibrant pieces intact, meaning every cookie is packed with holiday cheer.
Step 4: Shape Dough Logs and Chill
Divide the dough into thirds and place each portion on parchment or wax paper. Using your hands, roll each into a roughly 2-inch-thick log. Roll them tightly in parchment and twist the ends like a candy wrapper, then pop them into the fridge for at least 3 hours. Chilling is crucial—it firms the dough so your slices bake up neatly.
Step 5: Slice, Bake, and Enjoy
When chilled, unwrap the logs and slice them into ¼-inch rounds. Place the rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Bake at 350°F for about 13-15 minutes, until the edges turn just lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the tray—they set up nicely and won’t fall apart.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks with this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe that really make a difference in flavor and texture. Trust me, these tips save you time and make the baking process more enjoyable.
- Butter Temperature: Don’t rush bringing the butter to room temp—it should be soft enough to press a finger into but still hold its shape. This ensures perfect creaming with the sugar.
- Don’t Overmix: When adding flour and folding in cherries, handle the dough gently to avoid tough cookies and crushed fruit.
- Chill Properly: At least 3 hours (overnight is even better) helps the dough to firm up, making slicing clean and cookies bake evenly.
- Parchment Paper: Always bake on parchment—cookies release easily, and cleanup is a breeze.
How to Serve Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
When I serve these cookies, I like to dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a festive snowy effect. Sometimes a little drizzle of white chocolate on top adds a deliciously creamy finish and makes them feel extra special for holiday gatherings.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine. For a brunch or dessert table, I love offering them alongside spiced nuts, fresh fruit, or a creamy cheese platter for an irresistible holiday spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging the cookies in a circular wreath shape on a decorative plate, adding sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly to echo the Christmas spirit. Wrapping small stacks of cookies with festive ribbons makes heartfelt gifts for neighbors and friends—it’s always a hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—usually with a slice of bread inside. The bread trick really helps keep the cookies soft and fresh for up to a week.
Freezing
The dough logs freeze beautifully before slicing. Just wrap them well in parchment and then foil. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight, slice, and bake as usual. I once made the whole batch a week ahead for a holiday party and it worked like a charm.
Reheating
If you want a warm cookie fresh from the oven feel, pop a leftover cookie in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. It revives the texture and taste wonderfully without drying it out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Fresh cherries have too much moisture and won’t hold up well in this recipe. Candied cherries provide the right sweetness and texture needed for the cookies.
Stored in an airtight container with a slice of bread, these cookies stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature.
Walnuts or pecans are my go-to choices for their flavor and texture, but feel free to use any chopped nuts you love.
Absolutely! Dough logs can be prepared and refrigerated overnight or frozen for longer storage, making this recipe perfect for holiday planning.
Final Thoughts
This Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe truly feels like a warm holiday hug wrapped in each tender, cherry-studded bite. From the joyful dough preparation to sharing plates of these beauties with loved ones, it brings me so much happiness. I hope you’ll find the same joy cooking and sharing them as I do—these cookies are a timeless festive treat you’ll keep coming back to year after year.
Print
Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cherry Christmas Cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season, featuring a buttery dough studded with candied cherries and chopped nuts. Rolled into logs and chilled, they are sliced and baked to a delicate, lightly golden cookie that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup powder sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 2 cups candied cherries, quartered (red, green, or a combination)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it's at the right temperature for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and powder sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined, enhancing the dough's flavor and texture.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the flour to the butter mixture, mixing well to form a consistent dough.
- Fold in Cherries and Nuts: Gently fold the quartered candied cherries and chopped nuts into the dough, distributing them evenly without crushing the cherries.
- Form Dough Logs: Lay a sheet of parchment or wax paper on the counter and place about one-third of the dough on it. Using your hands, roll the dough into a log shape approximately 2 inches in diameter.
- Wrap and Chill: Roll the dough log in the parchment or wax paper, twist the ends to secure, and place it in the refrigerator. Repeat this step with the remaining dough to make two more logs.
- Chill Dough Logs: Allow all the dough logs to chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, which firms up the dough for easier slicing.
- Slice Cookies: Remove the dough logs from the refrigerator and unwrap them. Using a sharp knife, slice the logs into ¼ inch thick pieces and place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until they turn a light golden color, signifying they are perfectly cooked.
Notes
- Use a combination of red and green candied cherries for a festive look.
- Ensure the dough is well chilled before slicing to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- You can substitute chopped walnuts or pecans for the chopped nuts according to your preference.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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