There’s something instantly festive about bright red and green cherries nestled into buttery, crumbly cookies. This Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe is a holiday classic that manages to feel both nostalgic and fresh—every bite bursts with sweet cherry flavor and a hint of crunch from nuts. It’s the kind of treat I love pulling out year after year to share with friends and family during the holidays.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This cherry cookie recipe has been a go-to in my kitchen during the holiday season because it’s just delightful — colorful, flavorful, and easy to make. I love how the cherries bring a festive pop of color, while the dough itself stays tender without being too sweet. It’s a cookie that works perfectly for gifting, cookie exchanges, or just stocking your own festive cookie jar.
- Vibrant festive colors: The red and green candied cherries make these cookies look so cheerful and holiday-ready.
- Perfect crumbly texture: The combination of butter and powdered sugar creates a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
- Simple ingredient list: You probably have most of these ingredients on hand already, making it a stress-free holiday bake.
- Make-ahead friendly: The dough chills well, so you can prep it a day in advance and bake fresh cookies anytime you want.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe comes from simple, classic baking staples elevated by the star players—the candied cherries and crunchy nuts. Each ingredient has a role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture that makes these cookies so memorable.
- Butter: Using real butter lends richness and that tender crumb you want in holiday cookies.
- Powdered sugar: It keeps the dough soft and silky, unlike granulated sugar which gives a crunchier texture.
- Egg: Adds moisture and binds everything together nicely without weighing down the dough.
- Vanilla extract: A splash brings warmth and depth, complementing the cherry flavor beautifully.
- Flour: The base that structures your cookie; all-purpose flour works best here.
- Chopped nuts: I usually use walnuts or pecans for their buttery crunch which contrasts nicely with the soft cookie.
- Candied cherries: The showstopper! Red, green, or a mix for that classic Christmas vibe, chopped into quarters so they spread evenly.
Make It Your Way
What I love about this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Whether you’re nut-free or want to add a twist of spice, there’s room to personalize. You can even swap in different nuts or add a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra holiday kick.
- Nut-free option: I’ve made these without nuts several times by just adding more cherries, and they come out just as delicious—soft, sweet, and festive.
- Flavor twist: Adding a touch of almond extract along with vanilla gives a lovely complementary note to the cherries.
- Spiced version: A pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg stirred into the dough feels extra cozy and Christmas-y.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar
Start by letting your butter soften to room temperature. Then, cream it together with the powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. I usually take my time here—this is where you build that tender texture, so don’t rush. The difference is noticeable!
Step 2: Adding the Egg and Vanilla
Next, crack in one egg and stir in the vanilla extract. These add moisture and a lovely depth of flavor. Mix gently to combine—it’s easy to overbeat and toughen the dough if you’re not careful.
Step 3: Incorporating the Flour
Slowly add the flour to your wet ingredients. I prefer using a wooden spoon here to fold it in gradually until just combined. This prevents overmixing, which can make cookies tough. Once you see a nice dough starting to form, you’re ready for the next step.
Step 4: Folding in Cherries and Nuts
This is the fun part! Gently fold in your quartered candied cherries and chopped nuts. Be sure to distribute the cherries evenly throughout the dough so every cookie gets its cheerful pop. I find folding by hand is best to avoid squishing those pretty cherries.
Step 5: Shaping the Dough Logs
Place about a third of the dough onto a sheet of parchment or waxed paper. Using your hands, roll it into a 2-inch diameter log. Roll it up in the paper, twist the ends tight, and pop it in the fridge. Repeat until all the dough is shaped. This chilling step helps the cookies keep their shape while baking.
Step 6: Chilling the Dough
Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours—overnight is even better if you can wait. This gives the flavors a chance to meld and firms up the dough so it slices cleanly.
Step 7: Slicing and Baking
Unwrap a dough log and slice it into ¼-inch thick rounds. Place the slices on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, leaving some space between. Bake at 350°F for 13–15 minutes or until they’re a light golden color on the edges. Keep an eye on them so they don't brown too much—these cookies shine when they're just barely golden.
Top Tip
After making this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe a few holiday seasons, I’ve picked up some handy tips that make a big difference in your results.
- Chill the Dough Thoroughly: Don’t skip the chilling step—it’s key for neat slices and preventing your cookies from spreading too much.
- Even Cherry Distribution: Fold the cherries in carefully so they’re spread throughout the dough, not clumped, ensuring every cookie is festive.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: These cookies can go from golden to over-baked pretty quickly, so start checking around 13 minutes.
- Use Parchment Paper: It makes clean-up easier and helps cookies bake evenly without sticking.
How to Serve Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple—sometimes I dust the finished cookies with a little extra powdered sugar for a snowy look, which really amps up the holiday charm. If I'm feeling fancy, I drizzle a bit of white chocolate over for a sweet, creamy touch that contrasts perfectly with the chewy cherries.
Side Dishes
These cookies go wonderfully alongside warm beverages like cinnamon-spiced tea, hot chocolate, or a classic cup of coffee. I also love pairing them with a simple cheese board during holiday parties—it sounds unusual but the sweet and salty combination is a crowd-pleaser.
Creative Ways to Present
For festive gatherings, try packaging your cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a personal touch. Or arrange them on a pretty holiday platter surrounded by fresh pine sprigs and cranberries—it makes a stunning centerpiece and invites everyone to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover Cherry Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay fresh for about a week — that’s usually how long they last around here anyway! Keeping the container sealed well is important so they don’t dry out.
Freezing
I freeze both the dough logs before slicing and the baked cookies. For the dough, wrap tightly in parchment and then foil or a freezer bag—thaw in the fridge overnight before slicing. Baked cookies freeze great too, just pop them in a freezer-safe container with parchment layers. This is a lifesaver for holiday prep!
Reheating
If you want to freshen up frozen baked cookies, I warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This gently softens them without drying them out—like they’re freshly baked all over again.
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