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Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies

Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies

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  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (includes marinating time)
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours 32 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Cherry Almond Shortbread Cookies are buttery, rich, and full of cherry flavor! Topped with a Hersheyโ€™s Kiss and drizzled with melted chocolate, these cookies are perfect for holidays, Valentineโ€™s Day, or any sweet occasion. The dough requires chilling, so plan ahead!


Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened

  • 2/3 cup (134g) granulated sugar

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 1/2 tsp almond extract

  • 1 tbsp (15ml) maraschino cherry juice

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

  • 16 maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

  • 24 Hersheyโ€™s Kisses, unwrapped

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  • 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate (optional, for drizzling)


Instructions

  • Prepare Dough:

    • In a mixing bowl, beat butter on high speed until creamy (about 1 min).

    • Add sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat on medium speed until combined.

    • Slowly drizzle in cherry juice while mixing on high speed for 1 min.

    • Reduce to low speed and gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.

    • Add chopped cherries and mix until evenly incorporated.

  • Chill Dough:

    • Press dough together, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 4 hours (or up to 3 days).

  • Bake:

    • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (177ยฐC). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

    • Roll chilled dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls and place on prepared baking sheets.

    • Bake for 11-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.

  • Add Hersheyโ€™s Kiss:

    • Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then press a Hersheyโ€™s Kiss into each.

    • Immediately place cookies in the fridge or freezer for 15 minutes to prevent melting.

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  • Drizzle with Chocolate (Optional):

    • Melt chocolate in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between.

    • Drizzle melted chocolate over cookies using a spoon or piping bottle.


Notes

  • Chilling is essential! If dough is too warm, cookies will spread too much.

  • For extra crunch: Add ยฝ cup finely chopped nuts (almonds or pecans) to the dough.

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  • Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temp for 5 days or freeze for up to 3 month


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 9
  • Sodium: 20mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg