Cherry Surprise Cookies for St Val or St Pat
Perfect for Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day, these Cherry Surprise Cookies are a delightful way to celebrate with a sweet twist! Each soft, buttery cookie features a hidden maraschino cherry at its center, creating a "surprise" in every bite. Infused with hints of vanilla and almond extract, the dough bakes to perfection, hugging the juicy cherry inside. Topped with a festive glaze—tinted red or green for the occasion—and a sprinkle of colorful decorations, these cookies are as eye-catching as they are delicious. With an easy preparation process and a short bake time, this recipe offers a fun, customizable treat that's sure to charm any holiday gathering. Whether you're spreading love or luck, these cherry-filled delights are an irresistible choice!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 24 pieces maraschino cherries, drained
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- optional food coloring (red or green)
- as needed sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract, beating until incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. The dough will be soft but firm enough to handle.
Pat the maraschino cherries dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Place a cherry in the center and wrap the dough around the cherry, rolling it into a smooth ball. Repeat with the remaining dough and cherries.
Place the cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until the cookies are set and just lightly golden on the bottom. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Add a few drops of red or green food coloring, if desired, to match the holiday theme.
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles, if using.
Let the glaze set for 15–20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3649 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 100.3 g | 129% | |
| Saturated Fat | 57.0 g | 285% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 251 mg | 84% | |
| Sodium | 1086 mg | 47% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 668.2 g | 243% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.4 g | 30% | |
| Total Sugars | 430.1 g | ||
| Protein | 32.9 g | 66% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 118 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 14.3 mg | 79% | |
| Potassium | 435 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
