Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies

Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies

Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies offer a delightful burst of flavor and color that is sure to charm your taste buds. This recipe is not just a treat for your palate, but also a feast for your eyes, with vibrant hues and lovely textures making it perfect for any occasion. With a lovely blend of maraschino cherry and luscious strawberry frosting, these cookies provide a sweet escape that will make any baking session memorable. This step-by-step recipe leads you effortlessly to deliciousness, making it a perfect candidate to bake with your loved ones.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe has it all! First and foremost, it’s incredibly easy to prepare. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, even novice bakers can whip it up without a hitch. The family-friendly nature of the cookies makes them an excellent choice for baking days with children or hosting a springtime gathering. The cookies are delightfully soft, providing a satisfying chew with every bite. Furthermore, the cherry and strawberry combination is not only delicious but visually stunning, ensuring that these cookies will be the star of any dessert table. So gather your ingredients, and let’s get baking!

Ingredients for Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to a creamy texture
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar for a sweet kick
• 1 large egg to bind the dough together
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, adding a nutty undertone
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour for structure
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder to lend fluffiness
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda for a perfect rise
• 1/4 teaspoon salt to enhance flavor
• 1/3 cup maraschino cherry juice providing moisture and flavor
• 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries for delightful bursts of sweetness
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 2 cups powdered sugar for sweetness and creaminess
• 2–3 tablespoons strawberry puree (or strawberry jam) for fruitiness
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to round out the flavor
• Pink food coloring (optional)
• Halved maraschino cherries or diced strawberries (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Directions for Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

2. Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.

3. Add the egg and almond extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures an even combination of dry ingredients.

5. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to ensure your cookies remain soft and chewy.

6. Pour in the maraschino cherry juice and gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries, spreading joy throughout the dough.

7. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear set. Don’t over-bake!

9. Cool completely on a wire rack before moving on to the frosting.

10. While the cookies are cooling, prepare the strawberry frosting by first beating the softened butter until it’s smooth and creamy.

11. Gradually add the powdered sugar to the butter until completely combined.

12. Mix in strawberry puree (or jam) and vanilla extract, stirring until the frosting is velvety. Add pink food coloring if desired for an extra wow factor.

13. Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cookies, making each bite a strawberry delight.

14. Garnish each cookie with a halved maraschino cherry or diced strawberries, allowing the colors to pop.

15. Let the frosting set before serving, giving your cookie creation a professional finish.

Tips & Tricks

To elevate your Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies to another level, consider chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This step will help achieve a thicker cookie with a slightly chewy texture. You can also add a sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top for a delightful crunch or even a dash of coconut flakes for added flavor and flair. If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce the amount of powdered sugar slightly—you can always adjust to your liking.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

These vibrant and delicious cookies can be served in various ways to impress your guests. Presentation is key, so consider placing them on a colorful platter adorned with fresh strawberries and cherries. You might also want to pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent dessert option. A cup of herbal tea or coffee complements the sweetness of the cookies, creating a charming afternoon tea experience.

Nutritional Information

While indulging in Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies can be delightful, moderation is essential. Each cookie boasts an estimated caloric value of around 150-200 calories, depending on the size and frosted embellishments. They offer a satisfying mix of carbohydrates and fats, making them a perfect treat for special occasions. Always remember to balance your indulgences with a healthy lifestyle!

Storing Tips & Variations for Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies

To preserve the freshness of your cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. You can also freeze un-frosted cookies for up to three months; just make sure they’re well-wrapped. When ready to enjoy, allow them to thaw at room temperature before frosting them fresh. For a healthier version, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, or swap out half the sugar with a natural sweetener.

Conclusion for Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies

Are you tempted to create the vibrant Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies in your kitchen today? With a simple recipe and step-by-step directions, you’re just moments away from crafting these charming treats that will delight not only you but also everyone who gets a taste. Don’t wait any longer – put on your apron and bake a batch today!

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Absolutely! However, you will need to adjust the liquid components to compensate for the moisture in fresh cherries.

2. How long do the cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the cookies will remain fresh for about a week.

3. Can the frosting be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the frosting in advance; just store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you’re ready to frost the cookies.

4. Can I substitute almond extract?
Certainly! You can replace almond extract with vanilla extract or even lemon extract for a different flavor profile.

5. Are these cookies suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free baking blend to substitute the all-purpose flour in the recipe seamlessly!

Strawberry Frosted Cherry Cookies

Delightful cookies featuring a blend of maraschino cherry and luscious strawberry frosting, perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 42 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 175

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cookie Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened For the cookie batter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar For sweetness
• 1 large egg To bind the dough
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract Adds a nutty flavor
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour For structure
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder For fluffiness
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda For rise
• 1/4 teaspoon salt Enhances flavor
• 1/3 cup maraschino cherry juice For moisture and flavor
• 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries Adds sweetness

Frosting Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened For frosting
• 2 cups powdered sugar For sweetness
• 2-3 tablespoons strawberry puree (or strawberry jam) For fruitiness
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Rounds out the frosting flavor
• to taste pink food coloring Optional for coloring
• halved maraschino cherries or diced strawberries For garnish

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the egg and almond extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
6. Fold in the maraschino cherry juice and chopped maraschino cherries.
7. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart.

Baking

1. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges.
2. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Frosting

1. Beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar until fully combined.
3. Mix in strawberry puree (or jam) and vanilla extract; add pink food coloring if desired.
4. Spread frosting over cooled cookies and garnish with halved cherries or diced strawberries.
5. Let the frosting set before serving.

Notes

Chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies. For variations, consider adding crushed pistachios or coconut flakes to the cookies, or reducing powdered sugar for less sweetness.