Description
Sweet whispers of spring bloom in these delicate cherry blossom cookies, offering a Japanese-inspired culinary escape. Fragrant petals and subtle almond notes dance across buttery surfaces, inviting you to savor each delightful, elegant bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
Flavoring and Sweeteners:
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 cup confectioners sugar (for the glaze)
- 4 teaspoons juice from maraschino cherries
- 3/4 teaspoon almond flavoring
- 1 teaspoon almond flavoring (for the glaze)
Decoration and Finishing:
- 1 package of dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses
- 1 tablespoon water (for the glaze)
Instructions
- Whip softened butter with powdered sugar until airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the delicate cookies.
- Incorporate fresh cherry juice and almond extract, blending thoroughly to infuse the mixture with vibrant fruit and nutty undertones.
- Gradually introduce flour, mixing until a cohesive dough forms, then gently fold in finely chopped dried cherries for bursts of intense flavor.
- Craft uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter, gently pressing each to create a slight disc shape.
- Refrigerate cookie dough for half an hour, allowing the ingredients to meld and ensuring a more stable texture during baking.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and arrange chilled dough balls on a lined baking sheet, leaving modest spacing between each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn delicately golden, revealing a tender, crisp exterior.
- Immediately after removing from oven, nestle a chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie, creating a decadent focal point.
- Prepare a light glaze by combining complementary ingredients, then artfully drizzle over completely cooled cookies for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Swap cherry juice for food coloring if fresh cherries aren’t available, maintaining the delicate pink hue.
- Use dairy-free butter and vegan chocolate kisses to create a plant-based version of these delightful cookies.
- Experiment with different extracts like rose water or vanilla to customize the flavor profile while keeping the signature cherry blossom essence.
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a perfectly shaped, tender cookie with crisp edges.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg