There’s just something magical about the mix of buttery dough and vibrant candied cherries that instantly lifts your holiday spirit. This Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe captures that festive joy perfectly — from the first bite, you’ll know why these cookies have become a seasonal favorite in my kitchen.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I love sharing this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe because it’s so simple, dependable, and endlessly delicious. Over the years, it’s become my go-to cookie when friends and family come over for the holidays — everyone agrees these are a real winner.
- Perfect festive colors: The red and green candied cherries give these cookies a cheerful holiday look without any extra fuss.
- Buttery, tender texture: The dough stays soft but sturdy, making these cookies melt in your mouth just right.
- Easy to prepare: You don’t need fancy tools or complicated steps, just a little time and love.
- Great for gifting: These cookies look stunning in tins or jars, making them a thoughtful homemade gift everyone appreciates.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients come together in a way that balances sweetness, texture, and festive color. The butter gives richness, while the powdered sugar ensures a delicate crumb. Candied cherries bring bursts of flavor and a pretty appearance, and nuts add a satisfying crunch. When shopping, look for bright, firm cherries and fresh nuts to get the best results.
- Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness and contributes a creamy, tender texture.
- Powdered sugar: This dissolves smoothly, creating a delicate sweetness that’s not grainy.
- Egg: Binds the dough together and adds moisture for softness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, cozy aroma.
- Flour: The base of your cookie, it holds everything together and gives structure.
- Chopped nuts: I love walnuts here, but pecans work great too — they add crunch and a slight earthiness.
- Candied cherries: Red, green, or a combo makes these festive — quartering them helps distribute evenly so every bite is joyful.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I often tweak it depending on mood or occasion — it’s a flexible base that handles tweaks like a charm.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap out half the nuts for chopped white chocolate chips for a sweeter contrast — it’s a favorite unexpected twist that guests love.
- Dietary swap: If you want a gluten-free option, I’ve successfully tried using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend with great results.
- Texture tweak: For chewier cookies, I chill the dough a little longer before baking — it helps the butter firm up and keeps the interiors softer.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Creaming The Butter and Sugar
Start by softening your butter just until it's spreadable but not melted; then mix it with the powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process traps air and makes your cookies tender — I always take a moment here to enjoy the sweet, buttery aroma filling the kitchen.
Step 2: Incorporate Egg, Vanilla, and Flour
Next, beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth. Then, slowly add the flour to the bowl. Don’t rush — mix just enough to combine and avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough. The dough should come together soft and a bit sticky.
Step 3: Fold in Cherries and Nuts Gently
Carefully fold in your quartered candied cherries and chopped nuts. I like folding slowly so the cherries don’t smoosh, and the colors stay distinct throughout the dough. This little care pays off beautifully when you slice the cookie logs.
Step 4: Shape Dough Logs and Chill
Divide the dough into thirds and place each portion on parchment paper. Roll each into a roughly 2-inch round log, then wrap tight in the paper with the ends twisted. Refrigerate all three logs for at least 3 hours — this hardens the dough and makes slicing easier. I often take this time to prep other holiday treats or just savor a cup of cocoa.
Step 5: Slice and Bake
Once chilled, unwrap the dough logs and slice them into ¼-inch rounds. Place the slices spaced out on parchment-lined sheets. Bake in a 350°F oven for about 13 to 15 minutes, watching for a light golden edge. The scent filling your kitchen will instantly get you in the holiday mood!
Top Tip
From my many holiday baking sessions, I’ve learned these tips make all the difference in your Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe outcome. These little extras can lift good cookies to fantastic ones.
- Don’t skip chilling: Chilling firms up the dough, so the cookies hold their shape and slice cleanly instead of flattening into a mess.
- Even cherry distribution: Spend an extra moment folding cherries in gently—this keeps the dough colorful and ensures every cookie has that lovely fruity pop.
- Baking time matters: Take your cookies out as soon as edges start to brown lightly to keep centers tender—not hard.
- Use parchment paper: It prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze, so don’t try skipping this step!
How to Serve Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep these simply adorned since the cherries are the showstoppers. But when I want a little extra sparkle, a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving adds a delicate snowy touch that feels just right for Christmas morning.
Side Dishes
Pairing these cookies with a hot cup of spiced tea or rich eggnog is my favorite. They also go surprisingly well with a simple cheese platter for holiday gatherings—a sweet contrast alongside savory bites.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged these cookies in a festive tin layered with holiday-themed napkins and tied with a velvet ribbon — it made a lovely gift everyone raved about. For parties, I’ve served them on a wooden board scattered with fresh pine sprigs for that cozy winter look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Cherry Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay fresh and soft for about a week—though that rarely lasts since everyone sneaks a cookie (or two) here and there!
Freezing
This dough freezes beautifully, which is great if you want to prep ahead. Just wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to two months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing and baking.
Reheating
If you have baked cookies leftover and want to warm them up, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This refreshes the texture and makes them taste like they just came out of the oven—soft, warm, and irresistible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Fresh cherries have a higher moisture content, which can affect the dough’s consistency and baking time. Candied cherries provide sweetness and a chewy texture that’s crucial for this recipe, so I recommend sticking with those for the best results.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies will stay fresh for up to one week. For longer storage, consider freezing the dough or baked cookies.
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture may vary slightly, but the cookies will still be delicious and festive.
Walnuts are my personal favorite since they complement the cherries beautifully with their mild bitterness. Pecans or almonds are excellent alternatives if you want to change it up or cater to different tastes.
Final Thoughts
This Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup — they’re not just tasty, but the process of making them brings such cozy, happy moments. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do, filling your home with warmth, sweetness, and that unmistakable Christmas cheer.
Print
Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Cherry Christmas Cookies featuring a buttery dough studded with quartered candied cherries and chopped nuts. Perfectly sliced and baked to a light golden hue, these cookies bring vibrant holiday colors and flavors to your cookie platter.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup powder sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ¼ cup flour
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 2 cups candied cherries, quartered (red, green, or a combination)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powder sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and mix well to combine.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the flour into the mixture and mix thoroughly to form the dough.
- Fold in Cherries and Nuts: Gently fold the quartered candied cherries and chopped nuts into the dough, ensuring even distribution throughout.
- Shape Dough Logs: Place a piece of parchment or waxed paper on the counter and place about one-third of the dough on it. Using your hands, roll the dough into a log shape approximately 2 inches in diameter. Wrap the log in the paper and secure the ends.
- Refrigerate Dough: Repeat the rolling and wrapping for the remaining dough portions. Place all dough logs in the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours to firm up.
- Slice Dough: Remove the dough logs from the refrigerator and unwrap them. Using a knife, slice the dough into ¼ inch thick slices.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sliced cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until they turn light golden in color.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your colorful festive treats!
Notes
- Use red or green candied cherries for a traditional holiday look.
- Ensure dough is properly chilled to make slicing easier and to maintain shape during baking.
- For a nut-free version, omit the chopped nuts or substitute with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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