Tired of the same old cookie recipes that leave your taste buds underwhelmed? Looking for that perfect pop of color and flavor to brighten up your cookie jar? I’ve been there too. These Maraschino Cherry Cookies are the sweet solution you’ve been searching for they’re vibrant, chewy in the center, slightly crisp at the edges, and bursting with delightful cherry flavor in every bite.
Hi, I’m Emma, the heart behind GusRecipes, and these cherry-studded delights have become a staple in my kitchen. After experimenting with dozens of cherry cookie variations, I’ve perfected this recipe to ensure the perfect balance of sweetness and that unmistakable maraschino cherry flavor that makes these cookies truly special.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through selecting the perfect maraschino cherries, mixing your dough to the ideal consistency, and baking these cookies to perfection. You’ll also discover my secret tips for maximizing flavor, storage recommendations, and creative variations to make these cookies your own.
Why These Maraschino Cherry Cookies Work
- Uses easy-to-find, affordable ingredients you might already have in your pantry
- Requires just 15 minutes of prep time before baking
- Perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, Valentine’s Day, or brightening any dessert table
- Creates a delightful balance between sweet cookie base and tart-sweet cherry flavor
- Maintains moisture for days longer than traditional cookies
Choosing the Right Maraschino Cherries for Cookies
Best Cherries for This Recipe
The foundation of perfect Maraschino Cherry Cookies starts with selecting the right cherries. Look for jarred maraschino cherries that are bright red, plump, and firm. While both stemmed and unstemmed varieties work, I prefer the unstemmed ones as they’re easier to chop and incorporate into the dough.
Buying Tips
When shopping for maraschino cherries, look for jars without high fructose corn syrup if possible. Premium brands often have better flavor and color that won’t fade during baking. Always check that the cherries are packed in liquid and not dried out in the jar.
Substitutions
If maraschino cherries aren’t available, you can substitute candied cherries (though they’re sweeter) or drained jarred sour cherries (though you may need to increase sugar slightly). For a natural alternative, try dried cherries rehydrated in warm water for 30 minutes.
Maraschino Cherry Cookie Ingredients & Prep
Cookie Base Essentials
- Proper preparation of your cherries is crucial – drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture in your dough
- Let butter soften at room temperature for 45-60 minutes for the perfect creaming consistency
- Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation and cookie texture
Cookie Ingredients
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (enhances cherry flavor)
- ¾ cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
- Optional: ½ cup white chocolate chips
Pantry Staples
Quality vanilla extract makes a significant difference in these cookies. If you have almond extract, it pairs beautifully with the cherry flavor. Keep parchment paper on hand for easy baking and cleanup.
Step-by-Step Maraschino Cherry Cookie Instructions
Pre-Cooking Maraschino Cherry Cookie Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper
- Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels
- Chop cherries into small pieces and set aside on paper towels to remove excess moisture
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl
Maraschino Cherry Cookie Mixing Method
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes)
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and almond extracts
- Gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined
- Gently fold in chopped maraschino cherries and white chocolate chips (if using)
- Chill dough for 30 minutes to prevent spreading
Baking Maraschino Cherry Cookies
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden but centers still appear soft
- Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes
Cooling Maraschino Cherry Cookies
Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period helps the cookies set properly and develop their perfect texture.
Pro Tips for Perfect Maraschino Cherry Cookies
Avoiding Sticky Cookie Dough
- Thoroughly drain and pat dry cherries to remove excess moisture
- If dough becomes too sticky, refrigerate for 15-20 minutes before handling
- Use a cookie scoop slightly dampened with water for easy portioning
Tool Recommendations
A stand mixer or hand mixer makes creaming butter and sugar much easier. Silicone spatulas help incorporate cherries without crushing them. Cookie scoops ensure uniform cookie size for even baking.
Storage & Freshness
Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
Looking for more cherry inspiration? Check out my Pinterest board for dozens of creative ways to use maraschino cherries in your baking!
Maraschino Cherry Cookie Flavor Variations
Sweet Twists
- White Chocolate Cherry: Add ½ cup white chocolate chips to the dough
- Dark Chocolate Cherry: Add ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips for a rich contrast
- Coconut Cherry: Fold in ½ cup toasted coconut flakes with the cherries
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-Free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
- Vegan: Use plant-based butter and egg replacer
- Reduced Sugar: Decrease sugar to ¾ cup and use unsweetened dried cherries
Global Flavors
- Italian Cherry Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon anise extract
- French Cherry Cookies: Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest
- Mexican Cherry Cookies: Add ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne
| Variation | Key Ingredients | Baking Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| White Chocolate Cherry | Add ½ cup white chocolate chips | No change |
| Cherry Almond | Add ½ cup sliced almonds | No change |
| Cherry Chocolate Chip | Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips | No change |
| Cherry Coconut | Add ½ cup shredded coconut | Reduce baking time by 1 minute |
| Cherry Cream Cheese | Replace ¼ cup butter with cream cheese | Increase baking time by 1-2 minutes |
Maraschino Cherry Cookie Serving Suggestions
- Pair with vanilla ice cream for an elevated dessert
- Serve with hot chocolate or coffee for an afternoon treat
- Create homemade ice cream sandwiches using two cookies with vanilla ice cream
- Arrange on a platter with other cookies for a colorful dessert table
- Package in decorative tins or bags for homemade gifts
Maraschino Cherry Cookie FAQs
Can I use the maraschino cherry juice in the recipe?
Yes! Replace 1-2 tablespoons of the liquid in the recipe with the cherry juice for enhanced color and flavor.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
This could be due to butter that’s too soft, insufficient flour, or not chilling the dough before baking. Make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should be just starting to turn golden while the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven.
Conclusion
These Maraschino Cherry Cookies are more than just a sweet treat – they’re little bursts of joy that brighten any cookie platter with their vibrant color and delightful flavor. Whether you’re making them for a holiday cookie exchange, a special occasion, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite.
Don’t keep these delicious treats to yourself! Share your baking success on social media and tag @GusRecipes so I can see your beautiful creations.
Happy baking, and remember every batch of cookies is an opportunity to create sweet memories around your table.
Print
How Maraschino Cherry Cookies Will Sweeten Your Baking Game
- Total Time: 27 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery cookies studded with sweet maraschino cherries lightly crisp on the edges, tender in the center, and perfect for holidays or everyday treats.
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup maraschino cherries, chopped and well-drained
1 tbsp cherry juice (optional)
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg, vanilla, and cherry juice if using.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
6. Fold in chopped maraschino cherries.
7. Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly set.
9. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
10. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
Drain cherries very well to avoid excess moisture.
Cookies will remain pale — do not overbake.
Can be finished with a simple glaze for extra sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: maraschino cherry cookies, cherry cookies, holiday cookies, soft cookies