I love making Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies because they remind me of sunny days and family gatherings. The sweet cherry flavor and creamy chocolate make these cookies a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether it’s a picnic or just a cozy day at home, these cookies make everyone smile.
I remember how my sister, Jennifer, would help me mix the dough while Dad, James, snuck in a Hershey Kiss or two whenever we weren’t looking. The laughter and joy in our kitchen always filled the air as we baked together.
Gathering Your Ingredients
- Butter, room temperature
- Powdered sugar
- Salt
- Maraschino cherry juice
- Almond extract (or vanilla or cherry)
- All-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- Maraschino cherries, chopped
- Granulated sugar (for rolling)
- Hershey Kisses
The Tools That Help
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Cookie dough scoop
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Refrigerator
The Step-by-Step Process
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the maraschino cherry juice and your choice of extract. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing on low speed until fully combined.
- Add a couple of tablespoons of flour if the dough is too sticky, until it resembles play-dough.
- Carefully stir in the chopped maraschino cherries until just combined.
- Use a tablespoon-size scoop to form small balls of dough.
- Roll each ball in granulated sugar until well coated.
- Chill the dough balls for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Arrange the chilled dough balls evenly on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and gently press a Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet before serving.
Lighter, Healthier Touches
You can use a sugar substitute for the granulated sugar if you want to reduce calories. You can also swap in whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose flour for a bit more nutrition.
Perfect Pairings
These cookies go well with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee. They are also great served alongside vanilla ice cream or a scoop of cherry sorbet for a refreshing dessert.
Common Stumbles to Avoid
Make sure the butter is at room temperature to get the right texture. If the dough is too sticky, don’t hesitate to add more flour gradually. Also, be careful not to overbake the cookies, as they can dry out quickly.
Storing Your Creation
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
A Final Warm Word
Baking Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies brings such joy and warmth to the kitchen. I hope you find as much happiness in making them as I do, and I can’t wait for you to share them with your loved ones!
Answering Your Questions
How do I make Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies?
To make Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies, you start by mixing butter and powdered sugar, then adding cherry juice and extract. Next, mix in flour and salt, then fold in chopped cherries. Form dough balls, roll in sugar, chill, bake, and top with a Hershey Kiss!
Can I use other flavors instead of cherry?
Absolutely! If you want to change things up, you can use vanilla or almond extract instead of cherry. You can also mix in other chopped fruits or nuts to create unique flavors that suit your taste.
How do I store leftover cookie dough?
You can store leftover cookie dough in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or freeze it for up to three months. Just scoop out balls and freeze them on a baking tray before transferring them to a container for easy baking later.
Print
Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious cookies infused with sweet cherry flavor and topped with a creamy Hershey Kiss.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter, room temperature
- 1 cup Powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Maraschino cherry juice
- 1/2 tsp Almond extract (or vanilla or cherry)
- 2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- 1/2 cup Maraschino cherries, chopped
- Granulated sugar (for rolling)
- Hershey Kisses
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the maraschino cherry juice and your choice of extract, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing on low speed until fully combined.
- Add a couple of tablespoons of flour if the dough is too sticky, until it resembles play-dough.
- Carefully stir in the chopped maraschino cherries until just combined.
- Use a tablespoon-size scoop to form small balls of dough.
- Roll each ball in granulated sugar until well coated.
- Chill the dough balls for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Arrange the chilled dough balls evenly on the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and gently press a Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet before serving.
Notes
You can use a sugar substitute for the granulated sugar to reduce calories. Whole wheat flour can be swapped in for half of the all-purpose flour for a healthier option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: cookies, cherry, dessert, baking, sweet treats