These Cherry Blossom Cookies are a delightful marriage of sweet maraschino cherries and creamy milk chocolate, wrapped in a buttery, soft cookie that’s as pretty as it is delicious. With a hint of almond extract and a touch of pink sanding sugar, each bite feels like a celebration, making them perfect for holidays, special gatherings, or simply treating yourself to something whimsical. If you love vibrant flavors and eye-catching treats, this recipe for Cherry Blossom Cookies is bound to become your new favorite for sharing and gifting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for Cherry Blossom Cookies is simple but thoughtfully chosen—each one brings something special to the table, from tenderness and flavor to that irresistible pop of color. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few helpful tips for the best results.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, softened): The foundation for a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture—make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming.
- Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness and helps the cookies bake up with lightly crisp edges.
- Powdered Sugar (1/4 cup): Lends a delicate, tender crumb to the dough.
- Large Egg (1): Binds everything together while adding richness.
- Almond Extract (1/2 teaspoon): Provides that nostalgic cherry-almond aroma—don’t skip it!
- Vanilla Extract (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the flavors and enhances the overall sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 1/2 cups): The backbone of the dough, giving structure and shape.
- Baking Powder (1/4 teaspoon): Ensures the cookies bake up soft and slightly puffy.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just a pinch to make every other flavor shine.
- Chopped Maraschino Cherries (1/2 cup, drained and patted dry): For that signature pop of color and fruity sweetness—be sure to blot them well.
- Milk Chocolate Kisses (24, unwrapped): The iconic finishing touch, pressed into each warm cookie.
- Pink Sanding Sugar (optional): Adds a sparkling, festive finish if you want extra flair.
How to Make Cherry Blossom Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Station
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step ensures your Cherry Blossom Cookies bake evenly and release easily, making cleanup a breeze. Having everything ready before you start mixing means less stress and more fun during baking.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. You want the mixture to turn light and fluffy, which takes about 2-3 minutes of mixing. This step is key for those irresistibly soft and tender cookies, so don’t rush it!
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Crack in the egg, then add the almond extract and vanilla extract. Mix well until everything is beautifully combined. The almond and vanilla extracts infuse the dough with their dreamy, bakery-style aroma—this is where the magic begins for Cherry Blossom Cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so stop as soon as you see no more streaks of flour.
Step 5: Fold in Cherries
Gently fold in the chopped, thoroughly blotted maraschino cherries. Be careful here—a gentle hand keeps the dough soft and prevents the cherries from bleeding too much color. Each bite should have a little burst of cherry goodness!
Step 6: Shape and Roll
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls between your palms. For a festive touch, roll each ball in pink sanding sugar. This optional step gives your Cherry Blossom Cookies an extra sparkle, perfect for parties or special occasions.
Step 7: Bake and Add the Chocolate Kisses
Arrange the dough balls 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden. Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a milk chocolate kiss into the center of each one—the heat will soften the chocolate, creating that signature blossom look. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies
Garnishes
For a show-stopping finish, dust your Cherry Blossom Cookies with a sprinkle of extra pink sanding sugar or a light shower of powdered sugar. If you’re feeling extra creative, a few finely chopped maraschino cherries on top of each kiss add a playful touch and hint at the flavors inside.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea, coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. For a dessert platter, serve alongside other fruit-inspired treats or classic chocolate chip cookies for delightful contrast. Their cherry-chocolate combo also makes them a wonderful companion to chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Creative Ways to Present
Cherry Blossom Cookies truly shine when arranged on a pretty platter or nestled in a gift box lined with pink parchment. For special occasions like Valentine’s Day or baby showers, consider wrapping each cookie in cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbon. They also make adorable party favors or thoughtful tokens of appreciation for teachers and friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Cherry Blossom Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The flavors meld and deepen over time, and the cookies stay soft and delicious. If you live in a humid climate, add a piece of bread to the container to help maintain their perfect texture.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze both the unbaked dough balls (without the chocolate kisses) and the fully baked cookies. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. To bake from frozen, simply add an extra minute or two to the baking time. If freezing baked cookies, thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
If you love a warm, gooey chocolate center, pop a Cherry Blossom Cookie in the microwave for 5-10 seconds before serving. This quick reheat brings back that just-baked aroma and softens the chocolate kiss perfectly, making each bite even more irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Fresh cherries have a higher moisture content and less sweetness than maraschino cherries, which can affect the texture and flavor of the cookies. For best results and that signature pop of color, stick with well-drained, patted-dry maraschino cherries.
What’s the best way to prevent the chocolate kisses from melting too much?
Press the chocolate kisses into the cookies immediately after baking, then let the cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. The residual heat will soften the chocolate just enough to adhere without turning it messy.
Can I make Cherry Blossom Cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour, and double-check that your baking powder and chocolate kisses are gluten-free. The cookies may have a slightly different texture but will still taste fantastic.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
This recipe is designed to be quick and fuss-free, so chilling isn’t necessary. However, if your kitchen is especially warm or if you want extra thick cookies, a 20-minute chill in the fridge can help the dough hold its shape better during baking.
What occasions are Cherry Blossom Cookies best for?
These cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day, spring celebrations, baby showers, birthdays, or anytime you want to add a pop of color and a little whimsy to your dessert table. Their cheerful appearance and crowd-pleasing flavors make them a hit at any event.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a treat that brings smiles and sparks conversation, you can’t go wrong with Cherry Blossom Cookies. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and their cherry-chocolate charm is simply irresistible. Give them a try—you might just find yourself baking another batch sooner than you think!
Print
Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cherry Blossom Cookies are a delightful blend of soft, buttery cookies studded with sweet maraschino cherries and topped with creamy milk chocolate kisses. Perfect for festive occasions like Valentine’s Day or any celebration, these cookies combine classic flavors with a charming presentation that will impress family and friends.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries (drained and patted dry)
- 24 milk chocolate kisses (unwrapped)
- Optional: pink sanding sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Mix in the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined, adding moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms, ensuring not to overmix to avoid tough cookies.
- Fold in Cherries: Gently fold the chopped maraschino cherries into the dough, distributing them evenly without crushing.
- Optional Rolling: If desired, roll tablespoon-sized dough balls in pink sanding sugar for a festive, sparkly finish.
- Scoop and Arrange Cookies: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into smooth balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden, signaling they are perfectly baked.
- Add Chocolate Kisses: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press an unwrapped milk chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie before they cool.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so the chocolate sets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For best results, blot the maraschino cherries thoroughly to remove excess moisture which can affect cookie texture.
- The chocolate kisses will soften in the oven heat but will firm up as the cookies cool, providing a perfect melt-in-your-mouth surprise.
- Store these cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
