There is something truly magical about these Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe that makes every bite a little celebration of springtime sweetness. With a tender, buttery base studded with juicy maraschino cherries and finished with a delightful Hershey Kiss on top, these cookies are as charming to look at as they are delicious to eat. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving a cozy homemade treat, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and elegance, making it a favorite you’ll want to share again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, yet essential ingredients. Each component brings something special to the table—from the creamy richness of butter to the bright burst of cherry flavor that makes these cookies shine in every way.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, room temperature): This gives the cookies their tender and rich texture, allowing the cherry flavors to truly pop.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Provides a smooth sweetness that blends perfectly into the dough without any graininess.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness just right.
- Maraschino cherry juice (1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle, wonderful cherry essence that binds the flavors beautifully.
- Almond extract (¼ teaspoon): Or vanilla or cherry extract—this small addition gives a lovely fragrant note that complements the cherries perfectly.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups, plus more if needed): The base that holds everything together, making the cookies soft yet sturdy enough for shaping.
- Maraschino cherries (1 cup, chopped): These juicy pieces are star ingredients packed with sweet and bright flavor.
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup): For rolling the dough balls, creating a lightly crisp, sparkling outer layer.
- Hershey Kisses (24): The cherry on top that adds a rich, melty center and an irresistible finishing touch.
How to Make Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by using an electric mixer in a large bowl. Beat the room temperature unsalted butter together with powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale. This step is essential for giving your cookies a wonderful soft texture and smooth sweetness that melts in your mouth.
Step 2: Add Cherry Juice and Extract
Next, pour in the maraschino cherry juice along with your choice of almond, vanilla, or cherry extract. Continue mixing until everything is combined into a smooth, fragrant batter that hints at the cherry goodness to come.
Step 3: Incorporate Flour and Salt
On a low speed, gradually add two cups of all-purpose flour and the salt. Keep mixing, and if the dough feels too sticky to handle, gently add a tablespoon or two more flour at a time. Your goal is to get a play-dough-like consistency so the dough holds together nicely but isn’t dry.
Step 4: Stir in Chopped Cherries
Carefully fold in those bright maraschino cherry pieces by hand, just until evenly mixed. This ensures every cookie gets bursts of juicy cherry flavor in every bite—such a fun texture contrast!
Step 5: Shape and Roll the Dough
Use a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop to form uniform dough balls. Then, roll each ball in granulated sugar for a sparkling coating that adds a touch of crispness and sweetness to the cookie’s exterior.
Step 6: Chill the Cookie Dough
Pop the sugar-coated dough balls into the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Chilling is key because it helps the cookies keep their shape during baking and intensifies their flavor.
Step 7: Preheat and Prepare for Baking
While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Arrange the dough balls evenly spaced on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for around 10 minutes until the cookies are lightly golden and baked through, but still soft.
Step 9: Add the Hershey Kiss
Right after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press one Hershey Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The chocolate will soften and settle wonderfully without melting completely—giving that perfect candy center.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Cooling sets their shape and lets the flavors mingle beautifully for every blissful bite.
How to Serve Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, consider dusting the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar or decorating around the Hershey Kiss with edible pink or white sugar pearls to mimic delicate cherry blossoms in bloom.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair delightfully with a cup of green tea, a creamy latte, or even sparkling rose lemonade. The slight tartness in these drinks balances the cookie’s sweetness perfectly and makes for a memorable snack time.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe on a vintage floral platter or wrap them individually in pastel cellophane tied with a pink ribbon for a festive party favor or thoughtful homemade gift. They’re sure to brighten any table!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for up to four days without losing that lovely cherry flavor and melt-in-the-mouth texture.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the unbaked dough balls rolled in sugar on a baking sheet for about two hours, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, gently heat the cookies in a low oven (around 300 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5 minutes. This softens the chocolate center and revives the cookie’s delightful tenderness.
FAQs
Can I substitute the maraschino cherry juice?
Absolutely! If you don’t have maraschino cherry juice on hand, you can use a bit of cherry syrup from preserved cherries or even a splash of cherry-flavored liqueur for an adult twist. Just keep it to about a tablespoon to avoid making the dough too wet.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
Don’t worry at all. Vanilla extract works beautifully as a substitute and lends a warm, familiar flavor. You can also experiment with cherry extract for an even stronger cherry taste.
Can I use other chocolates instead of Hershey Kisses?
Yes! Mini chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, or even white chocolate pieces make lovely alternatives. Just press them into the cookie while warm to get that melty center effect.
How do I prevent the dough from being too sticky?
Adding flour slowly and kneading gently helps control stickiness. You want the dough pliable but not sticky enough to stick to your hands. Chilling it before shaping also makes handling much easier.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing after baking?
Yes, baked cookies freeze well. Place them in a freezer-safe container separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the oven for that freshly baked feel.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe a try because it captures such a cheerful, nostalgic feeling in every bite. Whether baking for friends, family, or that special teatime moment, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles and sweet memories. Happy baking!
PrintEasy Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe
Delight in these Easy Cherry Blossom Cookies featuring buttery dough infused with maraschino cherry juice and almond extract, studded with chopped maraschino cherries, rolled in sugar for a sweet crunch, and topped with a classic Hershey Kiss for a perfect treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 Cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 Cup powdered sugar
- ¼ Teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon maraschino cherry juice liquid
- ¼ Teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla or cherry)
- 2 Cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- 1 Cup maraschino cherries (chopped)
For Rolling and Topping
- ¼ Cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 24 Hershey Kisses
Instructions
- Cream: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring an airy and smooth base for the dough.
- Mix: Add the maraschino cherry juice and your choice of extract—almond, vanilla, or cherry—and continue mixing until the ingredients are well combined and the batter is smooth.
- Add Flour and Salt: Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and the salt into the mixture and mix on low speed until fully incorporated. Gradually add a couple of tablespoons more flour at a time if necessary, until the dough achieves a play-dough like consistency that can be handled without sticking to your hands.
- Incorporate Cherries: Carefully fold in the chopped maraschino cherries just until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough without overmixing, preserving their texture.
- Shape Dough Balls: Using a tablespoon-sized cookie dough scoop, form small balls of dough. Roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat evenly, giving the cookies a delightful crunch and sweet exterior.
- Chill: Place the sugar-coated dough balls in the refrigerator and chill for at least 20 minutes to help them hold their shape during baking and enhance flavor melding.
- Preheat Oven: While chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Bake: Arrange the chilled cookie dough balls evenly spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the edges are set and the cookies are baked through but still soft.
- Add Hershey Kisses: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press one Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie while warm, allowing it to slightly melt and adhere.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack before serving, letting the chocolate set and the cookies firm up to perfect texture.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature to ensure smooth creaming with the sugar.
- If the dough feels too sticky, incrementally add small amounts of flour until manageable, but avoid adding too much to prevent dryness.
- Chilling the dough balls is important to maintain their shape and improve texture.
- Feel free to substitute almond extract with vanilla or cherry extract to vary flavors.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for freshness.
