Description
Delight in these soft and fluffy Cherry Cookies bursting with the sweet and tart flavor of dried cherries. Enhanced optionally with white chocolate chips, almond extract, and chopped nuts, these cookies provide a perfect balance of warmth and crunch, ideal for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon Almond Extract (optional)
- 1 cup Dried Cherries, chopped
Optional Add-ins
- ½ cup White Chocolate Chips or Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
- ½ cup Chopped Nuts (Walnuts or Pecans)
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until creamy and light. Then, add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, and beat until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if using. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Dry Into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in chopped dried cherries, white or semi-sweet chocolate chips, and chopped nuts if using, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop the Cookies: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to place dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers to help them bake evenly.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on it for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breaking and helps set the texture.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooled, serve these delicious cherry cookies as a snack, dessert, or with your favorite beverage.
Notes
- For deeper cherry flavor, soak dried cherries in cherry juice for 15 minutes before folding into the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Substitute butter with margarine for a dairy-free option, but texture may vary slightly.
- Adding cinnamon and almond extract is optional but enhances flavor complexity.
- Ensure butter is softened (not melted) for best creaming results during mixing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
