Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies Recipe

Oh, do I have a treat for you today! I’m absolutely delighted to share my Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies Recipe. If you’re looking for a cookie that’s bursting with vibrant color, a delightful fruity sweetness, and a touch of nostalgic charm, then you’ve stumbled upon pure baking gold. This isn’t just any sugar cookie; it’s a celebration of that iconic little red cherry we all know and love, transformed into a beautifully soft, chewy, and utterly irresistible cookie.

I truly believe you’ll adore these cookies as much as I do. They’re so much more than just a pretty face – though that gorgeous pink hue and those ruby-red cherry pieces are certainly eye-catching! What makes them truly special is how the subtle, sweet notes of the maraschino cherries infuse every bite, creating a flavor profile that’s wonderfully unique and incredibly addictive. They bring a cheerful brightness to any dessert platter, making them absolutely perfect for holiday gatherings, a cozy afternoon treat, or whenever you need a little burst of joy.

So, what exactly are we whipping up? Imagine a classic, tender sugar cookie base, but with a delightful twist. We’re infusing the dough with the sweet, distinctive juice from maraschino cherries, which not only gives them a beautiful subtle color but also a delicate fruity aroma. Then, we fold in generous chunks of chopped maraschino cherries, ensuring every bite delivers a pop of chewy, sweet cherry goodness. The result is a soft, chewy cookie that’s both comforting and exciting – a truly delightful spin on a beloved classic!

Ingredient Notes

Oh, you’re in for a treat with these Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies! They’re vibrant, sweet, and just a little bit whimsical. To make sure your cookies turn out perfectly, let’s chat about the stars of the show – our ingredients.

All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of our Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies. I always recommend weighing your flour for the most accurate results, but if you’re spooning it into a measuring cup, make sure to level it off without packing it down. If you’re looking for a gluten-free alternative, a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend should work beautifully here. Just be aware that the texture might be slightly different, perhaps a bit more delicate.
Granulated Sugar: For that classic sugar cookie sweetness and a delicate crisp edge. Don’t skimp on the sugar, it’s essential for both flavor and texture in these Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies.
Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature is key! This allows it to cream properly with the sugar, incorporating air and creating a light, tender cookie. If you only have salted butter, you can use it, but I’d suggest reducing the added salt in the recipe by about half a teaspoon. Just make sure it’s truly softened – not melted – for the best results.
Eggs: Large eggs, also at room temperature, help to bind everything together and add richness. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the butter and sugar mixture, leading to a smoother dough.
Vanilla Extract: A staple in almost all my cookie recipes! It enhances all the other flavors. For these Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies, it provides a warm, comforting base.
Almond Extract: This is a secret weapon that really makes the cherry flavor pop! Almond and cherry are a match made in heaven. If you’re not a fan of almond or have an allergy, you can simply increase the vanilla extract or use a pure cherry extract instead for an even more intense cherry experience.
Baking Powder: Just a touch helps these Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies rise ever so slightly and gives them a tender crumb.
Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and bringing out all the flavors. Don’t skip it!
Maraschino Cherries: The star ingredient! You’ll want to chop these finely. The finer they are, the more evenly they’ll distribute throughout your cookies and the less they’ll bleed color. Be sure to drain them very well and even pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and prevent your cookies from becoming too soggy or discolored. A little bit of the juice from the jar is also used for an optional glaze, giving that signature pink hue and extra cherry kick.
Maraschino Cherry Juice (from the jar): For our optional glaze! This provides both color and a lovely subtle cherry flavor.
Powdered Sugar: For our simple, pretty glaze. It dissolves easily and gives a smooth finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s get baking! Following these steps will help you create delightful Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies that everyone will love.

Prepare Your Cherries: First things first, drain your maraschino cherries thoroughly. I like to spread them on a few layers of paper towels and pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible. Then, finely chop them. Smaller pieces are better for even distribution and less bleeding of color into your dough.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (either stand or hand-held), cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which contributes to the tender texture of your Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract (or cherry extract, if using). Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Make sure these are thoroughly mixed to ensure even leavening throughout your cookies.
Gradually Add Dry to Wet: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no streaks of flour remain.
Fold in Cherries: Gently fold in the finely chopped maraschino cherries using a spatula or wooden spoon. Mix just enough to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
Chill the Dough: This is a very important step for sugar cookies, especially with added moisture from the cherries. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or preferably 2 hours. Chilling helps the dough firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking and allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Roll and Cut Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Re-roll any scraps, chilling briefly if the dough becomes too warm, and continue cutting until all the dough is used.
Bake: Place the cut-out cookies about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. Baking time can vary based on your oven and cookie thickness, so keep an eye on them.
Cool: Let the Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Optional Glaze (if desired): While the cookies cool, whisk together the powdered sugar and maraschino cherry juice in a small bowl until smooth and of drizzling consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more juice; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Glaze and Serve: Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle or spread the glaze over them. Let the glaze set before serving or stacking. Enjoy your beautiful homemade Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies!

Tips & Suggestions

I want your Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies to be absolutely perfect, so here are a few extra tips and suggestions I’ve picked up along the way:

Don’t Overmix: This is probably the golden rule for most cookie recipes! Overmixing the dough, especially after adding the flour, develops too much gluten, which can lead to tough, dense cookies. Mix until just combined.
Chill Time is Crucial: I know it’s tempting to skip, but don’t! Chilling the dough for at least an hour firms up the butter, preventing your cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also allows the flavors to deepen and the dough to become easier to handle. For these Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies, it helps the dough hold its shape beautifully.
Preventing Cherry Bleed: Draining and patting the maraschino cherries very dry is key. Also, chopping them finely helps distribute them without large chunks causing excessive moisture or color bleed. A lighter touch when folding them into the dough also helps.
Uniform Thickness: When rolling out your dough, try to keep it an even 1/4-inch thickness. This ensures that all your Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies bake evenly. You can use rolling pin guides if you have them.
Soft vs. Crisp: For softer cookies, bake them for a slightly shorter time until the edges are just barely golden and the centers still look a little soft. For crispier cookies, bake a minute or two longer until the edges are more deeply golden.
Decorating Fun: Beyond the simple glaze, these Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies are wonderful for decorating! You could add a sprinkle of festive sprinkles on top of the wet glaze, or even pipe on some royal icing if you’re feeling ambitious.
Even Scoops: If you’re not cutting shapes, using a cookie scoop for drop cookies ensures uniform size, which means they’ll bake at the same rate.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Always aim for room temperature butter and eggs. This helps them emulsify properly, creating a smoother dough and a better-textured cookie.

Storage

Once you’ve baked a batch of these lovely Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies, you’ll want to know how to keep them fresh so you can enjoy them for as long as possible. Here are my go-to storage tips:

At Room Temperature: Fully cooled Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. To maintain their freshness and prevent them from drying out, you can even place a slice of bread (plain white bread works best) in the container with them – the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread. If they are glazed, make sure the glaze is completely set before stacking to prevent sticking.
In the Refrigerator: While not typically necessary for sugar cookies, if you live in a very warm climate or just prefer to chill them, they can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The texture might become slightly firmer when cold, but they’ll soften up quickly at room temperature.
Freezing Baked Cookies: These Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies freeze wonderfully! Once completely cooled (and any glaze is fully set), arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, layering them with parchment paper if stacking. They’ll keep well for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Freezing Cookie Dough: You can also freeze the unbaked dough. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will last for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight, then proceed with rolling and cutting as usual. Alternatively, you can roll out the dough, cut the shapes, and then freeze the raw cut-outs on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. You can bake them directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about a homemade cookie, and I believe this Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies Recipe takes that joy to a delightful new level. I just love how the vibrant, cheerful color instantly brightens any plate, and the unique, sweet tang of the maraschino cherries infused throughout a soft, classic sugar cookie is simply irresistible. This isn’t just another cookie; it’s a burst of delightful flavor and a feast for the eyes that promises to be a memorable treat.

I genuinely think you’ll find this Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookies Recipe to be a must-try for its easy preparation and impressively charming results. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a special occasion, or simply to bring a little extra sweetness into your day, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles and compliments. Go ahead, gather your ingredients, and experience the magic of these wonderfully unique and utterly delicious cookies!