Description
These Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are a delightful blend of festive charm and buttery bliss—perfect for your holiday dessert table or as a homemade gift. With a buttery shortbread base, a glistening maraschino cherry center, and a dusting of powdered sugar that looks like fresh snow, they’re as pretty as they are delicious. This easy recipe brings together the nostalgic flavors of sweet cherry and soft cookie crumble, ideal for holiday baking, cookie exchanges, or seasonal treats. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast sweet bite, creative food ideas for parties, or fun baking ideas to do with kids, this is a must-try holiday cookie. It’s a simple yet impressive addition to your collection of easy recipes, festive desserts, and cozy Christmas breakfast ideas.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup raspberry or strawberry jam
12–16 maraschino cherries, drained and halved
Extra powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla extract and salt. Mix well.
- Gradually add flour, mixing just until a dough forms.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut out cookies using a round cutter. Use a smaller cutter to create holes in half of them.
- Place whole rounds on the baking sheet, add a small spoonful of jam in the center.
- Top each with a cut-out cookie and press gently around the edges.
- Place a cherry half in the center of each cookie.
- Bake for 12–14 minutes until edges are just golden.
- Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Dust with powdered sugar once completely cooled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (+30 minutes chilling)
- Cook Time: 12–14 minutes
- Category: Dessert