Welcome to the wonderful world of baking for Christmas! We are going to make some delicious Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies with this recipe. These holiday treats are perfect because they have the classic taste of buttery shortbread with a hint of chocolate and the sweetness of maraschino cherries. Find out what you'll need and how to do it step-by-step to make your Christmas extra special.
For this mouthwatering Christmas cookie recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:
1 cup of unsalted butter, brought to room temperature
1/2 cup of confectioners' sugar
1/2 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of fine salt
3/4 cup of well-drained maraschino cherries, chopped (You can place the cherries on a paper towel to ensure they are well-drained or use candied maraschino cherries)
2/3 cup of premium-quality chocolate chips .
How To Make Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Let's get started with making these delightful Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies:
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and fine salt. Once mixed, set this mixture aside for later use.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter that has been softened to room temperature with the confectioners' sugar. Mix until you achieve a smooth consistency.
3. Add the Vanilla Flavor
Integrate the pure vanilla extract into the butter-sugar blend. Stir well to evenly distribute the vanilla flavor.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients
Gradually introduce the flour and salt mixture to the butter-sugar blend. Continue mixing until the mixture begins to form larger clumps, indicating the formation of a cohesive dough.
5. Add Cherries and Chocolate
Carefully fold in the premium quality chocolate chips and the chopped maraschino cherries into the dough, ensuring even distribution for that delightful burst of flavor.
6. Shape the Dough
Shape the dough into a compact log, approximately 2 inches in diameter. To prevent potential crumbling during the slicing process, ensure that the log is well-formed. Once shaped, wrap the log securely in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for a minimum of 1 to 2 hours.
7. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). While it's heating up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper in preparation for baking.
8. Slice and Bake
After the refrigeration period, remove the dough log from the refrigerator. Slice it into discs, approximately 1/4 to 1/3 inch in thickness. If any segment crumbles during the slicing, carefully reform it using gentle hand pressure. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring at least a one-inch gap between each cookie.
9. Bake to Perfection
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the tops just begin to take on a light golden hue.
10. Cool and Enjoy
Once the cookies are done baking, allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Afterward, transfer them to a cooling rack to cool thoroughly.
Conclusion
There you have it – a fantastic recipe for Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies. These cookies are perfect for festive gatherings, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa by the fireplace. Share these delightful treats with your loved ones and make your Christmas extra special.