These White Chocolate Cherry Cookies are chewy and light. Almond extract flavored pink dough, filled with chopped Maraschino cherries and white chocolate chips makes for an exquisite chewy cookie experience.
Indulge in the Ultimate Festive Treat: Chewy White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
As the holiday season draws near, the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods fills our homes, marking the official start of baking season. What better way to celebrate this joyful time than with a batch of delightful White Chocolate Cherry Cookies? These festive Maraschino cherry cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a celebration in every bite. With their vibrant red cherries, creamy white chocolate, and subtle almond essence, these chewy cookies are destined to become a staple on your holiday dessert trays and a highlight of any cookie exchange.
Forget the guilt of indulging during the festive season! These beautiful red and white cookies are perfect for embracing the spirit of holiday cheer. Their soft, chewy texture and enchanting flavor profile make them utterly irresistible. Let’s dive into the world of these exquisite almond-flavored cookies and discover why they’re a must-bake this year.
A Delightful Baking Adventure with Freaky Friday
Today is an extra special day because it’s Freaky Friday! For those unfamiliar, Freaky Friday is a much-loved blogger event that I have the pleasure of hosting five times a year. It’s a fantastic culinary adventure where a group of talented blogger friends secretly choose a recipe from another participant’s blog, then cook or bake it, and we all reveal our creations simultaneously. It’s like a secret Santa for food bloggers, only instead of gifts, we exchange delicious recipes!
The anticipation is half the fun! We don’t know whose blog we’ve been assigned or what amazing dish they’ll make from ours until the big reveal. This particular round is even more exciting as it’s our Virtual Holiday Cookie Exchange. This means not only do we get to share a bounty of new, delicious recipes with each other, but you, our wonderful readers, also get to discover a whole host of inspiring dishes and new blogs to follow for endless culinary inspiration. It’s a win-win for everyone involved in this festive cookie swap!
Discovering the Perfect Holiday Cookie Exchange Recipe
For this round of Freaky Friday, the mission was clear: find the ideal cookie to share for our Virtual Holiday Cookie Exchange. My quest led me to the incredible blog, Who Needs a Cape?, spearheaded by the brilliant Lori and Heather. These two friends embarked on their blogging journey years ago, creating a treasure trove of recipes ranging from fantastic family dinners to an abundance of baked goods and, yes, even delectable cocktails that will make you swoon!
Browsing through the hundreds of tempting recipes on Who Needs a Cape? was truly a delightful challenge. With so many mouth-watering options, narrowing down my choice for the holiday cookie exchange was tough. The theme, however, helped guide my decision towards something truly festive and fitting for the season. While I discovered numerous other holiday treats I’m eager to try later in December, my focus for today remained steadfast on finding that perfect cookie. Lori’s blog offers a fantastic selection, including a vibrant Holiday Sangria bursting with citrus and cranberries, and an indulgent Layered Peppermint Holiday Dessert featuring Oreos, chocolate, and candy canes—all perfect for Christmas entertaining!
Ultimately, my choice for the cookie exchange came down to two contenders from Who Needs a Cape?: their Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Drop Cookies or these magnificent White Chocolate Cherry Cookies. The festive colors and unique flavor profile of the latter ultimately won me over, and I couldn’t be happier with the decision!
Why These White Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies Are a Must-Bake
For those joining today for this particular recipe, it’s no secret which choice reigned supreme. These White Chocolate Cherry Cookies truly are an amazing selection, quickly ascending to the top of my list of favorite cookies. Their appeal lies not just in the generous scattering of creamy white chocolate chips or the cheerful bursts of chopped Maraschino cherries, but also in the distinct and delightful hint of almond extract that permeates every bite.
There’s something magical about almond extract, especially when it’s of a high quality, that elevates baked goods from good to truly exceptional. It imparts a subtle yet sophisticated flavor that perfectly complements both the sweetness of the white chocolate and the fruity tang of the cherries. It’s the secret ingredient that makes these *almond-flavored cookies* stand out. This unique flavor is a highlight of many beloved holiday treats, including my own family-favorite Almond Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprints, which are a non-negotiable part of our Christmas baking tradition. These White Chocolate Cherry Cookies capture that same irresistible charm, making them a fantastic addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
The Joy of Hosting a Holiday Cookie Exchange
Have you ever had the pleasure of attending or hosting a cookie exchange? It’s a cherished holiday tradition that brings together friends, family, and a delightful assortment of homemade treats. I used to host one annually, a tradition we kept alive for nearly two decades before a brief hiatus. While it’s been about three years since my last event, the memories of those festive gatherings and the incredible variety of cookies they yielded are still so vivid.
Hosting a cookie exchange is surprisingly simple, and the rewards are truly amazing. The basic concept is wonderfully straightforward: each invited guest bakes one dozen of their chosen cookie or candy for every person attending. So, if ten people are invited, you’ll bake ten dozen of your signature cookie or candy, carefully boxing them up for each participant. In return, you receive a dozen of each of the other guests’ creations. Imagine going home with ten dozen different cookies and candies! It’s an incredibly sweet deal, offering an impressive variety of treats without having to bake them all yourself. This makes assembling those gorgeous holiday cookie platters effortlessly simple and adds an extra layer of joy to celebrating the special occasion with an abundance of diverse homemade sweets.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Crafting these delectable White Chocolate Cherry Cookies requires a few key ingredients, each playing a vital role in achieving their irresistible flavor and chewy texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is important:
- Butter and Egg – For optimal results, always bring your butter and egg to room temperature before you begin baking. Softened butter creams much more easily with sugar, creating a light and airy base for your cookie dough, while a room temperature egg incorporates more smoothly into the mixture, contributing to a tender crumb.
- White and Brown Sugar – This recipe cleverly uses a combination of granulated white sugar and light brown sugar. White sugar promotes crispness and spread, while brown sugar, with its higher moisture content and molasses, is the secret to achieving that wonderfully soft and chewy texture that makes these cookies so addictive.
- Salt – A touch of salt is crucial in any sweet recipe. It doesn’t just make the cookies salty; it enhances and balances the overall sweetness, bringing out the depth of all the other flavors.
- Flour – All-purpose flour provides the necessary structure for these cookies, ensuring they hold their shape while remaining tender. Measure it correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off.
- Baking Soda – Baking soda acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookies rise slightly and achieve a desirable lightness, contributing to their soft interior.
- Good Quality Almond Extract – This is truly the star flavor of this easy recipe. Invest in a high-quality almond extract; its pure, nutty aroma is what gives these cookies their signature, exquisite taste that sets them apart from typical holiday cookies.
- Good Quality White Chocolate Chips – What are chewy white chocolate cherry cookies without their namesake? Using good quality white chocolate chips ensures a rich, creamy melt and superior flavor. If chips aren’t available, a chopped white chocolate bar works perfectly, creating delicious white chocolate chunks that sweeten up this moist cookie dough.
- Maraschino Cherries – These vibrant, sweet cherries add both a beautiful festive color and a burst of fruity flavor. Make sure to drain and finely chop them to ensure they distribute evenly throughout the cookie batter. Don’t discard the cherry juice; it’s fantastic for adding a sweet, fruity note to a cocktail or a refreshing smoothie.
Crafting Your Perfect White Chocolate Cherry Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making these irresistible white chocolate cherry cookies is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these simple steps to ensure a batch of perfectly chewy, flavorful cookies:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking, making cleanup a breeze.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, room temperature egg, and that essential good quality almond extract. Use an electric mixer (either a stand mixer or a hand mixer) on low speed to cream these ingredients together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ tender texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Ensure they are well combined to distribute the leavening evenly throughout the dough.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the large bowl, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.
- Fold in Cherries and Chocolate: Now, gently fold in your drained and chopped Maraschino cherries and the white chocolate chips using a spatula. Distribute them evenly throughout the dough for a burst of flavor in every bite.
- Scoop and Bake: Spoon rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about two inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set. Remember, one of the tricks to making soft cookies is to avoid overbaking.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking pan for 3-4 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This initial cooling on the pan helps them set without breaking. Once fully cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their freshness. These cookies also freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for future indulgence!
Don’t Lose This Recipe! Pin It Now!
If these soft, chewy white chocolate chip cookies have captured your heart, make sure you don’t lose this incredible recipe! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go! That way, you’ll always have this delightful recipe at your fingertips for your next baking session or holiday gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chewy Cookies
Achieving the perfect cookie texture is an art and a science. Here are some common questions about making soft and chewy cookies, answered to help you master your baking:
- What is the secret to chewy cookies? The primary secret to wonderfully chewy cookies lies in the use of brown sugar. Its higher moisture content and molasses help retain softness and prevent the cookies from becoming too crisp. Using a good ratio of brown sugar to white sugar is key.
- What makes a cookie soft and chewy or crispy? The texture of a cookie—whether it’s soft, chewy, or crispy—is heavily influenced by its moisture content, fat content, and baking time. Cookies rich in brown sugar and butter tend to be soft and chewy because of their moisture and fat. Conversely, cookies with more white sugar, less moisture, and longer baking times will be crispier as more water evaporates.
- What is the trick to making soft cookies? Beyond the ingredients, the trick to making soft cookies is baking them in a relatively hot oven, around 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C), for a short period of time. This allows the edges to set quickly while the center remains slightly underbaked, resulting in a soft, tender interior.
- Which ingredient makes cookies moist and tender? Besides brown sugar, eggs (particularly egg yolks) contribute significantly to moistness and tenderness due to their fat content. For an extra boost of moisture and tenderness, you can try swapping one whole egg for two egg yolks. Additionally, ensuring your oven is at the correct temperature and avoiding overbaking are crucial for moist results.
- Is it OK to use melted butter instead of softened? No, it is generally not okay to use melted butter if your recipe specifically calls for softened butter. Softened butter is creamed with sugar to incorporate air, which is essential for the cookie’s texture and lift. Melted butter will yield a denser, flatter cookie with a different texture.
- What makes a cookie fluffier? To achieve a fluffier cookie, you might consider using a combination of part shortening and part butter. Shortening has a higher melting point and doesn’t spread as much, which can help cookies maintain more height and a cake-like, fluffier texture.
Creative Substitutions for Your Cherry Cookie Recipe
While these White Chocolate Cherry Cookies are perfect as is, feel free to experiment with substitutions to tailor them to your taste or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
- If you can’t find almond extract or prefer a different flavor, a good-quality vanilla extract can be used as a substitute. It will impart a classic, comforting flavor that complements the cherries and white chocolate beautifully.
- Not a fan of Maraschino cherries? No problem! You can easily use dried cherries (rehydrated if they’re too dry) for a more intense, less sweet cherry flavor. To keep the festive pink hue, you might add a touch of pink food coloring to the dough.
- For those who find white chocolate a bit too sweet, bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips make an excellent alternative. They will add a rich, deep chocolate flavor that contrasts wonderfully with the sweet cherries and almond.
- Consider adding other nuts like chopped walnuts or pecans for an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor, especially if you enjoy the classic cherry-nut combination.
Expert Tips and Tricks for Baking and Enjoying These Cookies
To ensure your White Chocolate Cherry Cookies are always a hit, keep these tips in mind:
- Storage: Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days to maintain their chewiness and flavor.
- Freezing for Later: These cookies freeze beautifully! Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When defrosting, place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture, helping them retain their perfect texture. They make a lovely surprise treat for Valentine’s Day!
- Flavor Boosters: For an additional layer of flavor and crunch, consider adding chopped macadamia nuts or pecans to the cookie dough. Their buttery texture and subtle sweetness would be a fantastic complement to the cherries and white chocolate.
- Presentation: To make them extra festive, drizzle a little melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies or sprinkle with a dash of pink sanding sugar before baking.
- Portion Control: Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform cookie size, which promotes even baking and a professional appearance.
More Delicious Cherry Recipes to Love
If these White Chocolate Cherry Cookies have sparked your love for all things cherry, you’re in luck! Whether you have cherry pie filling, fresh cherries in season, or a jar of Maraschino cherries waiting to be used, there are countless ways to incorporate their sweet and tangy flavor into your baking. Here are some more cherry recipes to tempt your palate:
- Chocolate Cherry Brownies
- Cherry Limeade Baked Donuts
- Cherry Dessert
- Shirley Temple Float (pictured above)
- Cherry Cheese Bread
- Cherry Pie Jell-O Salad
- Old Fashioned Cherry Wink Cookies
- Cherry Limeade Sweet Rolls
- Cherry Filled Coffee Cake
As you embark on your holiday baking journey, don’t forget to explore the wonderful recipes shared by all the talented bloggers participating in this round of Freaky Friday. There’s a true feast of inspiration waiting for you:
- An Affair from the Heart – White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
- Bowl Me Over – Easy Shortbread Cookies with Confetti
- Hostess at Heart – Peanut Butter Pretzel Puppy Chow
- LeMoine Family Kitchen – White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
- Life Currents – Chocolate Marshmallow Moonpies
- Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish – Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipped Cookie Dough Truffles
- Mildly Meandering – Cheesecake Bars
- Plattertalk – German Pfeffernusse Cookies
- Seduction in the Kitchen – Chewy Chocolate M&M Cookies
- Take Two Tapas – Turtle Wonton Kisses
- The Foodie Affair – Easy Cut Out Cookies
- West Via Midwest – Mini Eggnog Cakes with Praline Topping
- Who Needs a Cape? – Copy Cat Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
This holiday season, move beyond your usual oatmeal cookie recipes and embrace the festive spirit with these soft, chewy White Chocolate Cherry Cookies. Their vibrant colors, irresistible texture, and unique almond-cherry-white chocolate flavor make them the perfect treat for any special occasion, from a cozy family gathering to a bustling holiday cookie exchange. They’re guaranteed to bring smiles and compliments. So, let’s gather our ingredients and create some baking magic!
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Print Recipe
White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoon good quality almond extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups flour
- 1 (10 ounce jar Maraschino Cherries drained and finely chopped
- 2 cups good quality white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream together butter, sugars, egg and almond extract with your mixer until creamy.
- In a small bowl mix together baking soda, salt, and flour. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until incorporated.
- Mix in your chopped Maraschino cherries.
- Fold in white chocolate chips.
- Spoon onto prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, cool for 3-4 minutes on pan and then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on November 30, 2018. It has been updated to improve user experience on January 23, 2023.
