Almond Cherry Cookies Recipe
These Almond Cherry Cookies are a delightful blend of buttery, sweet dough with tart dried cherries and crunchy sliced almonds. Perfectly soft with a slight crisp on the edges, they combine the nutty aroma of almond extract with the fruity burst of cherries for an irresistible treat.
- Author: Yana
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cookies Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 3/4 cup sliced almonds
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Incorporate egg and almond extract: Beat in the egg and almond extract until fully combined, ensuring an even distribution of flavor throughout the dough.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to combine.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in cherries and almonds: Gently fold in the dried cherries and sliced almonds by hand using a spatula, evenly distributing them throughout the cookie dough.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheets: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough about 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and centers are set but still soft.
- Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast the sliced almonds lightly before folding them into the batter.
- Use fresh dried cherries for best flavor; avoid overly sticky or hard cherries.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Almond extract can be balanced with vanilla extract if preferred, using half teaspoon each.
- To make the cookies gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Keywords: almond cherry cookies, cherry cookies, almond cookies, holiday cookies, chewy cookies, nutty cookies