Description
Sweet cherry almond shortbread cookies blend Mediterranean elegance with classic bakery charm. Crumbly, buttery edges and rich fruit notes create a delightful treat you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
Fruit and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cherry extract
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Combine softened butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cherry-almond delicacy.
- Gently fold chopped maraschino cherries, almond extract, and cherry extract into the creamed mixture, ensuring even distribution of vibrant flavors throughout the dough.
- In a separate vessel, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, creating a light and uniform dry ingredient blend.
- Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture, stirring carefully to maintain a consistent texture without overmixing.
- Delicately introduce sweetened flaked coconut, stirring until the coconut is perfectly integrated into the cookie dough, adding a subtle tropical nuance.
- Form the dough into petite spheres or delicate discs, approximately one inch in diameter, positioning them methodically on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Embellish each cookie with a sprinkle of sliced almonds and a light dusting of turbinado sugar, creating a crunchy, crystalline exterior.
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a perfect baking environment for the cookies.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the cookies to transform for 10-12 minutes until the edges acquire a gentle golden hue.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to achieve complete cooling and optimal texture.
Notes
- Swap maraschino cherries with dried cherries for a more natural, intense flavor profile and reduce added sugars.
- Toast sliced almonds before sprinkling to enhance their nutty aroma and create a deeper, more complex taste.
- Use gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the delicate texture and delightful crumb.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain the cookies’ precise shape and elegant appearance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg