Cherry Cookies: A Sweet and Nutty Treat
Cherry Cookies are a delightful combination of sweet maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, and crunchy pecans, all wrapped in a soft, buttery dough. These cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making them an ideal treat for any occasion. The vibrant color of the cherries adds a fun pop, and the mix of coconut and pecans creates a flavorful bite every time. Whether you’re making them for a holiday celebration or just a cozy snack, Cherry Cookies are sure to impress with their chewy goodness and delightful flavors.
For more unique and delicious cookie ideas, check out these recipes:
Basic Recipe: Ingredients and Instructions
Follow this simple recipe to make Cherry Cookies that are as delicious as they are easy to prepare.
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Cherry Cookies: Sweet and Nutty Delight with Coconut and Pecans
- Total Time: 25-27 minutes
- Yield: 24-30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cherry Cookies are a delightful combination of sweet maraschino cherries, toasted pecans, and shredded coconut, all encased in a soft, chewy cookie. The balance of sweetness from the cherries and the nuttiness of the pecans creates a delicious treat that’s perfect for holidays, gatherings, or just a sweet snack. These cookies bring a festive pop of color and flavor, making them a fun and tasty addition to any dessert table.
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons 2% milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, well drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the brown sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in the Add-ins:
- Stir in the chopped maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- For a more uniform shape, lightly flatten each cookie with the back of a spoon.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set. The cookies should be soft and chewy.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Serve:
- Enjoy these Cherry Cookies with a cup of tea or as a sweet treat to share with friends and family.
Notes
Make sure the maraschino cherries are well-drained to prevent excess moisture in the dough.
For extra flavor, you can toast the pecans before adding them to the dough.
These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Cherry Cookies
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the brown sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until incorporated.
- Stir in Cherries, Coconut, and Pecans: Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape the Dough: Drop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 1-1/2 inches apart. You can lightly flatten the dough with the back of a spoon for a more uniform shape.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should remain soft but set.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Enjoy these Cherry Cookies as a sweet treat with a cup of tea, coffee, or milk. Their chewy texture and unique combination of flavors will make them a favorite in your cookie collection.
Advanced Techniques
Want to elevate your Cherry Cookies even more? Try these advanced baking techniques for a more sophisticated flavor and texture:
1. Toast the Pecans
For a deeper, nuttier flavor, toast the chopped pecans before adding them to the dough. Simply place the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat and toast for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Let them cool before mixing them into the dough.
2. Use Cherry Extract
For an even more pronounced cherry flavor, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of cherry extract to the dough. This will amplify the cherry taste and give the cookies an extra pop of flavor.
3. Add a Drizzle of Chocolate
For a richer flavor, drizzle melted dark chocolate or white chocolate over the cooled cookies. This not only adds a decadent touch but also complements the sweetness of the cherries and coconut.
4. Chill the Dough
If you prefer thicker, more structured cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape better while baking and results in a chewier texture.
See more advanced recipes, at Mobolux.
Storage, Shelf Life, and Maintenance Tips
Proper storage can help you keep your Cherry Cookies fresh for longer:
Storage
Store your Cherry Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Be sure to place a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking together.
Freezing
These cookies freeze well! If you’d like to make them ahead of time, simply place the cooled cookies in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
How to Keep Them Soft
To keep your cookies soft, store them with a slice of bread in the container. The bread helps maintain the cookies’ moisture, ensuring they stay soft and chewy for longer.
Dietary Adaptations and Substitutions
These substitutions allow you to adjust the recipe for various dietary needs:
Gluten-Free Version
To make the Cherry Cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the flour blend contains xanthan gum or add it separately to help with the structure of the cookies.
Dairy-Free Version
For a dairy-free version, swap the butter for a dairy-free alternative, such as vegan butter or coconut oil. Ensure that the chocolate you use for drizzling (if you choose to do so) is also dairy-free.
Nut-Free Version
If you need a nut-free version, simply omit the pecans and replace them with additional shredded coconut or a different mix-in, such as sunflower seeds or dairy-free chocolate chips.
Vegan Version
To make these cookies vegan, replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water, mixed and allowed to sit for a few minutes). Use a vegan butter substitute in place of the regular butter.
FAQs About The Recipe
1. Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Fresh cherries will work, but you will need to remove the pits and chop them finely. Also, be aware that fresh cherries may add more moisture to the dough, so you might need to adjust the flour amount to prevent the dough from becoming too sticky.
2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Chilled dough also helps the cookies retain their shape better during baking.
3. How can I make these cookies more flavorful?
For a deeper flavor, try adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the dough. Almond and cherry are a classic flavor combination and will complement the cherries and coconut nicely.
4. What if I don’t have pecans?
No problem! You can substitute the pecans with walnuts, almonds, or even sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
Cherry Cookies offer the perfect balance of sweet cherries, coconut, and pecans, making them a treat that’s bursting with flavor in every bite. Whether you’re enjoying them as a snack, bringing them to a holiday gathering, or giving them as a gift, these cookies will be a hit. With their chewy texture and delightful combination of ingredients, they bring a unique twist to traditional cookie recipes.
Feel free to get creative with mix-ins and toppings, and don’t forget that these cookies freeze well, so you can always have a batch ready for whenever you need a sweet treat. So go ahead and make a batch of Cherry Cookies, and enjoy the chewy, nutty, and fruity goodness that this delightful cookie brings.