Best Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking to add a burst of festive flavor to your holiday baking, these Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are the perfect choice. Delightfully buttery with sweet, vibrant bursts of maraschino cherries, these cookies combine a tender texture with a festive pop of color that’s sure to brighten up any cookie tray. Easy to make yet irresistibly delicious, this recipe brings simple ingredients together for a treat that embodies the spirit of the season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Bake: This recipe requires basic ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for both beginner and seasoned bakers.
• Festive Flavor: The maraschino cherries add a bright, sweet twist that instantly feels like holiday cheer in every bite.
• Buttery Soft Texture: Made with quality butter, these shortbread cookies melt in your mouth with just the right crumb.
• Beautiful Presentation: The cherry pieces give each cookie vibrant red highlights, making them a stunning addition to any Christmas cookie platter.
• Customizable Recipe: Easily adaptable to different dietary needs or flavor preferences without losing the classic shortbread charm.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role, creating that perfect shortbread texture and flavor while making the cookies taste festive and delicious. The combination is simple but essential for the best results.

• Unsalted Butter: Use high-quality, softened butter for that rich, creamy base that makes these cookies tender and luscious.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides a smooth sweetness that blends perfectly into the dough without gritty texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the dough, giving a delicate crumb that’s firm yet tender.
• Maraschino Cherries: Chopped for a vibrant, juicy sweetness that adds festive color and flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth, rounding out the buttery and fruity notes.
• Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness perfectly.

Variations for Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Feel free to tweak this recipe to fit your taste or occasion. These cookies are wonderfully flexible, so you can experiment with add-ins or tweaks for a personal touch.

• Chocolate Drizzle: Add a decorative drizzle of dark or white chocolate for extra indulgence and flair.
• Almond Extract: Substitute or add a bit alongside vanilla for a lovely nutty aroma.
• Gluten-Free Flour: Swap in a gluten-free blend to keep the cookies friendly for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Orange Zest: Incorporate fresh orange zest to complement the cherries with a citrusy brightness.
• Sprinkle of Sea Salt: Add a touch of flaky sea salt on top before baking to elevate the sweet and buttery balance.

How to Make Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients and Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Chop the maraschino cherries into small pieces and set them aside. Make sure the butter is softened for easy mixing.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter together with the powdered sugar until fluffy and light in color. This step is key for a smooth, tender cookie texture.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Salt

Mix in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, combining well to distribute the flavor evenly throughout the dough.

Step 4: Incorporate Flour

Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.

Step 5: Fold in Maraschino Cherries

Carefully fold in the diced maraschino cherries so they’re evenly distributed without crushing them, ensuring each cookie has delightful bursts of cherry sweetness.

Step 6: Shape Cookies

Form the dough into small balls or a desired shape, and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten them slightly with your fingers or a fork for a classic shortbread look.

Step 7: Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake as shortbread is best when tender, not crispy.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy or store as desired.

Pro Tips for Making Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies

• Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter blends better with sugar, ensuring a light and tender dough.
• Don’t Overmix: Stir just until combined to prevent tough cookies from developing.
• Chop Cherries Uniformly: Evenly sized pieces ensure consistent cherry bursts in every bite.
• Chill If Needed: If dough feels too soft, chill for 15-20 minutes before shaping to make handling easier.
• Watch the Bake Time: Keep an eye during the last few minutes to avoid over-browning; shortbread should remain pale and tender.

How to Serve Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Garnishes

Sprinkling a little powdered sugar over the cookies before serving adds a snow-kissed festive touch. You can also dip half the cookie in melted chocolate and sprinkle finely chopped cherries or nuts on the wet chocolate for a beautiful accent.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced tea, rich coffee, or a warming mug of cocoa. They also complement holiday punches and eggnog beautifully, balancing sweet and creamy flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies on a decorative holiday platter with sprigs of fresh holly or pine for an inviting look. Tie small stacks with festive ribbons as thoughtful homemade gifts for friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and flavorful for up to one week, perfect for enjoying throughout the holiday season.

Freezing

To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep well for up to three months and thaw quickly at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

If you want to warm the cookies slightly for a fresh-baked feel, heat them in a low oven (about 300°F / 150°C) for 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that tender, buttery softness beautifully.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino?

Fresh cherries have a much higher moisture content and a different flavor profile, so they won’t provide the same bright sweetness or texture. Maraschino cherries are ideal for this recipe because they’re sweet, firm, and have the perfect balance of flavor for shortbread.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure to chill the dough slightly if it feels too soft, and avoid using melted butter. The cooler, firmer dough helps maintain the cookie’s shape during baking.

Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute the butter with a quality plant-based butter or margarine and use a similar sugar alternative. The texture might be slightly different, but the cookies will still taste delicious and festive.

Do I have to add cherries to the recipe?

While maraschino cherries give these cookies their signature festive twist, the dough on its own makes a delicious shortbread cookie. You can also swap the cherries for dried cranberries or other festive dried fruits if preferred.

What is the best way to cut the cookies if I want shapes?

If you prefer shaped cookies, chill the dough thoroughly, then roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters for shapes and carefully transfer to the baking sheet.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies capture everything that makes holiday baking so special – buttery goodness, festive color, and heartwarming sweetness. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings or looking for a cheerful gift, this recipe is bound to become a beloved tradition. Give it a try and enjoy the joyful baking experience and delicious results with every bite!

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