Irresistibly Festive Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Irresistibly Festive Cherry Shortbread Cookies are the perfect treat to enchant your holiday gatherings. These scrumptious cookies bring together the buttery tenderness of classic shortbread with the delightful sweetness of maraschino cherries and rich chocolate chips. In this step-by-step recipe, we’ll guide you to create these festive treats that are sure to impress your family and guests alike. With their vibrant red and white appearance, these cookies don’t just taste divine; they also add a beautiful touch to any dessert table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe for Cherry Shortbread Cookies is a dream for anyone looking to bake something special for the holidays or any gathering. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love it:
Easy to Follow: With simple steps and everyday ingredients, you’ll find this recipe approachable, even if you’re not an experienced baker.
Family-Friendly: This delightful treat can involve the whole family in the baking process. Kids will love mixing the ingredients and cutting the dough into fun shapes!
Visual Appeal: The vibrant colors of the cherries and the shiny chocolate chips give these cookies a festive look, making them perfect for holiday parties or gifting.
Rich Flavor: The combination of buttery shortbread, sweet cherries, and chocolate creates a melt-in-your-mouth experience that is simply irresistible.
Versatile Serving Options: These cookies are great on their own or can be dressed up with powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
Ingredients
To bake these mouthwatering Irresistibly Festive Cherry Shortbread Cookies, you will need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped and well-drained
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
These ingredients meld together to create a cookie that is pleasing both to the eye and the palate.
Step-by-Step Directions
Creating your own batch of Irresistibly Festive Cherry Shortbread Cookies is simplified into a few simple steps:
Cream Together the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup of unsalted butter with 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract until light and fluffy, around 2-3 minutes.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add this mixture to the creamed butter and sugar until a soft dough forms.
Fold in Flavor: Gently fold in the 3/4 cup of finely chopped and well-drained maraschino cherries and 2/3 cup of chocolate chips. The mixture should be colorful and enticing!
Shape the Dough: Form the dough into a log shape, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to slice the cookies.
Prepare to Bake: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Slice and Arrange: Once the dough is chilled, slice the log into 1/4-inch rounds and space them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Your kitchen will be fragrant with holiday aromas!
Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
Final Touches: For added flair, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar before serving. This step is optional but can elevate the festive presentation.
Tips & Tricks
Chill the Dough: Make sure to refrigerate the dough adequately; this not only shapes the cookies but also intensifies their flavor.
Chop Cherries Well: Ensure the maraschino cherries are finely chopped and well-drained to avoid excess moisture in your cookies.
Experiment: Try swapping maraschino cherries for dried cranberries or nuts for a different flavor profile.
Make Ahead: These cookies freeze well. You can slice and freeze the log of dough, wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, and then bake directly from the freezer—just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
These enchanting cookies can shine on their own or be paired with your favorite hot beverage—try them alongside a steaming cup of coffee, mulled wine, or even a warm chocolate drink. They can also complement holiday treats like eggnog or cream cheese frosting for added sweetness. For a delightful gift, package these cookies in a decorative tin with ribbons to share the love with friends and family.
Nutritional Information
Per cookie (assuming 24 cookies):
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 35mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 1g
Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on specific ingredients used.
Storing Tips & Variations For Irresistibly Festive Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Storing: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be refrigerated for longer freshness.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe container.
Flavor Variations: Feel free to use dark chocolate or white chocolate chips for a different taste, or experiment with extracts like almond for additional flavor depth.
Conclusion For Irresistibly Festive Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Don’t miss out on the joy of baking these Irresistibly Festive Cherry Shortbread Cookies! Their buttery texture combined with sweet cherries and rich chocolate makes them a delightful holiday treat that everyone will adore. This easy step-by-step recipe is approachable for bakers of all skill levels. Gather your ingredients and start your own holiday baking tradition!
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Yes, you can substitute fresh cherries, but make sure to pit and finely chop them. You may need to adjust the quantity since fresh cherries contain more moisture.
2. How long can I keep the cookies?
These cookies are best enjoyed within a week if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day or two in advance and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
4. Is it necessary to sift the flour?
Sifting helps to aerate the flour, ensuring your cookies are light and tender. If your flour is already fine and fluffy, you may be able to skip this step.
5. What if I don’t have parchment paper?
If you don’t have parchment paper, greasing the baking sheet with butter or a non-stick spray can also work to prevent sticking.
With this guide, you are all set to create a delicious batch of Cherry Shortbread Cookies that will be a hit at any gathering! Happy baking!
PrintIrresistibly Festive Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Delightful Cherry Shortbread Cookies infused with maraschino cherries and rich chocolate chips, perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped and well-drained
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
Instructions
- Cream together the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the creamed butter and sugar until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in flavor: Gently fold in the cherries and chocolate chips.
- Shape the dough: Form the dough into a log shape, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare to bake: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice and arrange: Once the dough is chilled, slice the log into 1/4-inch rounds and space them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake to perfection: Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Final touches: Dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
Chill the dough for better flavor and shape. Ensure cherries are well-drained to prevent excess moisture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
