These Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are a festive and delightful addition to your holiday baking. With buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread infused with chopped maraschino cherries and sweet chocolate chips, these cookies offer a pop of color and flavor. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa by the fire.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup maraschino cherries, chopped and well-drained (use a paper towel to remove excess moisture, or use candied cherries)
- ⅔ cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
2. Add Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Sift this mixture into the butter mixture, and gently mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Incorporate the Add-Ins:
- Add the chopped maraschino cherries and chocolate chips to the dough. Mix just until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
4. Shape the Dough:
- Place the dough onto a piece of cling film. Shape it into a log, pressing the dough firmly with your hands to ensure it’s compact. Wrap the log tightly in the cling film and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
5. Slice and Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Once the dough has chilled, unwrap it and slice it into round cookies, about ¼ inch thick.
- Place the cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake to preserve the soft, buttery texture.
7. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cooled, serve and enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Christmas Cherry Shortbread Cookies:
- Draining the Cherries: Make sure the maraschino cherries are well-drained to avoid excess moisture, which can affect the texture of the cookies.
- Cookie Shape: For uniform cookies, use a sharp knife to cut clean slices from the dough log. If the dough becomes too soft while cutting, pop it back into the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Chocolate Variety: Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips—white, dark, or milk chocolate all work wonderfully in these cookies.
- Storage: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage.
These Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are not only delicious but also eye-catching with their festive red cherries and sweet chocolate chips, making them a perfect treat for the holiday season!
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