Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a delightful treat that captures the essence of spring in every bite, you are going to adore this Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe. These cookies blend the soft sweetness of maraschino cherries with a tender buttery base, creating an utterly charming and delicious cookie that’s as beautiful as it is tasty. Perfect for sharing with friends or savoring with a cup of tea, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites, thanks to its simplicity and irresistible flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting started on this Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe couldn’t be easier, especially since the ingredients are simple yet crucial to delivering that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and a little pop of color. Each component plays its part, from the creamy butter that gives richness to the pop of maraschino cherry juice and actual cherries that make these cookies truly special.

• 1 Cup unsalted butter (at room temperature): Softened butter ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.
• 1 Cup powdered sugar: Adds a delicate sweetness without graininess, blending smoothly into the dough.
• ¼ Teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the cookie’s overall flavor.
• 1 Tablespoon maraschino cherry juice liquid: Infuses a subtle cherry flavor and a lovely hint of color into the dough.
• ¼ Teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla or cherry): Provides a nuanced layer of aroma, complementing the cherry perfectly.
• 2 Cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed): The foundation that helps create that perfect cookie structure.
• 1 Cup maraschino cherries (chopped): Brings sweet bursts of flavor and beautiful red flecks throughout each cookie.
• ¼ Cup granulated sugar (for rolling): Adds a slight crunch and a sparkling finish on the outside.
• 24 Hershey Kisses: The crowning touch, adding a creamy chocolate center to each cookie.

How to Make Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

Begin by combining your room-temperature butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat them together until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and full of promise. This step is key—it creates the soft structure that makes the cookies so tender and dreamy.

Step 2: Adding Cherry Juice and Extract

Next, pour in that fragrant maraschino cherry juice along with your almond extract (or vanilla or cherry variety). Mix until the batter is smooth and evenly infused with those lovely cherry tones, building the delicious flavor that sets these cookies apart.

Step 3: Incorporating Flour and Salt

Now it’s time to bring in your dry ingredients. Add the two cups of flour and the touch of salt to the bowl and mix on low speed. Once the initial flour is combined, slowly add a little more, a tablespoon at a time, stirring gently until the dough feels like pliable play-dough without sticking to your hands. This texture makes the cookies easy to shape later on.

Step 4: Stir in the Chopped Cherries

Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries with a spatula. You want them evenly dispersed but still intact so each bite delivers sweet little bursts of cherry goodness that look just like a blossom in the dough.

Step 5: Forming and Rolling Dough Balls

Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, portion out the dough and form small balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar, which adds a subtle crunch to the cookies’ exterior and a beautiful sparkle reminiscent of cherry petals in the sun.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Pop the sugared dough balls into the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Chilling firms the dough, helping the cookies hold their shape and ensuring that they bake up perfectly tender but not spreading too thin.

Step 7: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

While the dough is chilling, get your oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Step 8: Bake the Cookies

Arrange the dough balls evenly spaced on your prepared sheet, then bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are just baked through. They’ll have a delicate golden edge while staying soft inside, which is exactly what you want for this recipe.

Step 9: Add Hershey Kisses

Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a Hershey Kiss into the center of each one. The warmth will gently soften the chocolate, creating a luscious topping that’s irresistible.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet before moving them to a rack or plate. This final cooling lets the cookies set perfectly, sealing in all those amazing flavors you worked so hard for.

How to Serve Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

To make your Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe even more stunning, consider sprinkling a little edible glitter or a light dusting of powdered sugar over the top. You can also add a tiny piece of candied cherry or a sliver of edible flower petal on each chocolate kiss for an elegant touch that will impress guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of green tea or a comforting mug of hot cocoa, which balances their sweet cherry flavor. They also work well alongside soft cheeses or fruit platters during brunch, making them versatile beyond just a sweet snack.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or party trays, arrange these cookies on decorative plates or tiered stands. You can wrap a few in cellophane with a ribbon for a charming homemade gift. Placing them in festive tins or clear jars adds an extra layer of delight that invites everyone to indulge.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover Cherry Blossom Cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, making it easy to enjoy this Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe even days after baking.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked dough balls by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freezing until solid. Transfer them to a sealed freezer bag and bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. This way, fresh cookies are always close at hand!

Reheating

If you want to enjoy warm cookies after storage or freezing, simply microwave a cookie for about 10 seconds or heat in a low oven for a few minutes. The chocolate kiss will soften deliciously, and you’ll get that just-baked feel every time.

FAQs

Can I substitute the almond extract with another flavor?

Absolutely! While almond extract adds a lovely nutty complement, you can use vanilla or cherry extract instead to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Each will give a slightly different twist but remain delicious.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries don’t provide the same sweetness or softness as maraschino cherries, so the texture and flavor will change. If you want to try fresh, make sure to pit and chop them finely, and you might want to add a bit of extra sugar to balance the tartness.

Is it okay to use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can use salted butter, but be cautious with additional salt in the recipe. Since salted butter adds saltiness, reducing or omitting the extra ¼ teaspoon salt will help keep the balance just right.

How can I make the cookies more colorful?

To enhance the cherry blossoms’ vibrant look, sprinkle a few pink sanding sugars or add a tiny dab of red food coloring to the granulated sugar you roll the dough in. These small touches make the cookies visually stunning.

Can I make these cookies vegan or gluten-free?

With some adjustments, yes! Use vegan butter and a gluten-free flour blend to cater to dietary needs. Keep in mind that texture and flavor might be slightly different, but the essence of the Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe can still shine through.

Final Thoughts

There is something so joyful and comforting about making and sharing this Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe. The process is straightforward and truly rewarding, delivering charming cookies that taste as delightful as they look. Whether for a special occasion or a cozy afternoon treat, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles and happy moments. Give them a try—you won’t be disappointed!

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