Cherry Cookies

Cute Dipped Cherry Cookies!

I’ve found my new favorite gifting cookie!  This cookie has the perfect thickness and shape (thanks to the cookie scoop that Brit gave me last year!) and the colors are so festive.  At first glance this cookie looks like it will taste wayyy too sweet, thankfully it doesn’t.  It has a nice subtle cherry & almond flavor.  Also, it requires just 8 ingredients-love that.J

2 ½ cups flour

¾ cup sugar (divided)

1 cup cold butter, cubed

½ cup finely chopped maraschino cherries, juice drained & drained again after chopping

9 squares (9 ounces) white chocolate baking squares, finely chopped & divided

½ teaspoon almond extract

2 teaspoons shortening

Sprinkles ( try the 20oz. container of rainbow crystals from the restaurant supply store)

Mix (lightly in your electric mixer) the flour and ½ cup sugar and cut in the butter until crumbly. Add the cherries, 2/3 cup white chocolate and almond extract. Use a cookie scoop and pack tightly to just under the rim (or smaller if you prefer smaller cookies). Drop onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Take remaining sugar and the bottom of a shot glass.  Run the bottom of the glass in warm water then dip into the sugar.  Lightly press the top of each cookie with the sugar/shotglass. Bake at 325 for 10-12 minutes (mine took closer to 14 minutes).  Cool on racks.

In the microwave, melt shortening and remaining chocolate for a minute then stir. Microwave an additional 10-20 seconds.  Dip half the cookie in chocolate and sprinkle. Place on waxed paper until dry. Store in an airtight container.

This recipe is an adaption from Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies and Bars.  I reduced the amount of chocolate by 3 ounces.