These Cherry Almond Chocolate Cookies combine the best of all worlds—sweet maraschino cherries, rich almond flavor, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Inspired by your family’s Cherry Kiss Cookies, this variation uses chocolate chips for a decadent twist, making them a festive and delightful treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla extract)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
- 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries (drained)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s smooth and creamy. This will be the base for your cookies.
- Add the almond extract (or vanilla extract if you prefer) and the powdered sugar. Beat until the mixture is fully combined and fluffy.
- Mix in the Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing it in slowly to avoid flour spilling out of the bowl. Continue mixing until the flour is well incorporated and the dough starts to form.
- Add Cherry and Chocolate Flavor:
- Stir in the maraschino cherry juice and chopped maraschino cherries. These ingredients give the cookies their distinctive fruity flavor and soft, chewy texture.
- Lastly, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips for that delicious chocolatey goodness in every bite.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. You can use a small cookie scoop or your hands for this step.
- Gently flatten each ball of dough slightly with your fingers or the back of a spoon to form a rounded disc shape. This helps the cookies bake evenly and gives them that perfect texture.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Place the flattened dough balls on the prepared parchment-lined cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown and the centers are set.
- Cool and Enjoy:
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- After cooling on the sheets, transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to fully cool before serving.
Tips:
- Cherry Variations: If you prefer a stronger cherry flavor, you can add more chopped maraschino cherries, or even a few more tablespoons of cherry juice.
- Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to one week. They also freeze well, so you can enjoy them later or give them as a gift.
- For Extra Richness: Substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips for milk chocolate chips, or even add a drizzle of melted chocolate over the top of the cookies once they’ve cooled.
These Cherry Almond Chocolate Cookies are perfect for holiday baking or as a sweet treat any time of year. The combination of cherries, almond, and chocolate will surely be a hit with family and friends!