If you’re searching for a delightful treat that’s as charming to look at as it is delicious, the Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe will quickly become your go-to favorite. These cookies beautifully balance the sweet, floral notes of maraschino cherries with a tender buttery crumb that melts in your mouth. Each bite offers a perfect harmony of flavors and a nostalgic touch of almond extract, making these cookies not only a feast for the palate but a joyful experience to bake and share with loved ones.

Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s start with the basics! These ingredients are simple, yet every single one plays an essential role in bringing the Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe to life, enhancing the taste, texture, and that gorgeous pop of color.

Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): This gives the cookies their rich, creamy texture and helps them stay tender.
Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Adds the perfect level of sweetness and aids in creating a light, fluffy cookie base.
Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients together and gives structure to the dough.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Lends a warm, comforting aroma that enhances the cherry and almond flavors.
Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon): This little addition brings a subtle nutty depth, beautifully complementing the cherries.
All-purpose flour (2 cups): The foundation that gives the cookies their tender crumb and soft texture.
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just right, ensuring a light bite.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and brightens the overall flavor.
Maraschino cherries, chopped (1/2 cup): These provide juicy bursts of sweet cherry flavor throughout the cookie.
Maraschino cherry juice (1/4 cup): Adds an extra layer of cherry essence, keeping the cookies moist and flavorful.
White chocolate or white chocolate chips (1/2 cup, optional): A creamy, sweet contrast to the cherries if you love a hint of indulgence.
Whole maraschino cherries (12): Used as a decorative topping, these make each cookie look like a blooming cherry blossom.

How to Make Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This little preparation helps ensure your cookies bake evenly and slide right off the tray once done.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Next, grab a large mixing bowl and cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes and is key for a tender cookie with a perfect crumb. The air you whip into the butter and sugar now creates that wonderful texture.

Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts

Beat in the egg until fully incorporated, ensuring your cookie dough will bind properly. Then, mix in both the vanilla and almond extracts. These extracts bring the signature aromatic profile that makes this Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe feel so special and spring-like.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed, so your cookies rise uniformly and the flavors are perfectly balanced when blended with the wet ingredients.

Step 5: Blend the Dry and Wet Mixtures

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so a gentle touch here keeps them tender and soft.

Step 6: Fold in Cherries and Optional White Chocolate

Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and their juice. This step ensures juicy pockets of cherry flavor in every bite, infusing the dough with that irresistible fruity sweetness. If you’re going for an extra creamy twist, fold in the white chocolate or chips now – they melt beautifully during baking and add a luxurious contrast.

Step 7: Shape and Top Your Cookies

Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Now, for the signature cherry blossom look, gently press a whole maraschino cherry into the center of each cookie dough ball. This not only makes them stunning but seals in extra cherry flavor.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Pop your trays into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges are just turning a light golden brown. Don’t overbake because you want them soft and tender. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This patience ensures they set perfectly without breaking.

How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

These cookies are already charming, but a light dusting of powdered sugar can add an elegant, snowy look that makes them pop even more. Alternatively, a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the top adds a lovely, sweet finish that pairs beautifully with the cherry blossom theme.

Side Dishes

Cherry Blossom Cookies pair wonderfully with a simple cup of green tea or a light floral tea like jasmine, complementing their delicate almond and cherry flavors. A scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside the cookies also creates a lovely dessert presentation that guests will adore.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve them on a pretty plate lined with fresh cherry blossoms (edible or decorative) for a seasonal touch. You can also stack them in a clear jar tied with a pastel ribbon for gifting. For gatherings, place the cookies on tiered stands to add height and visual interest to your dessert table while showcasing the Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe’s charm.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftovers fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and flavorful for up to 4 days, perfect for snacking throughout the week or surprising a friend with a sweet treat.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months without losing their fabulous texture and flavor.

Reheating

To enjoy frozen cookies, simply let them thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes, or warm them gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked softness, almost like they just came out of your oven.

FAQs

Can I substitute fresh cherries for maraschino cherries in the Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe?

You can use fresh cherries if you prefer, but maraschino cherries provide a consistent sweetness and that iconic cherry flavor and color. If using fresh cherries, consider reducing added liquids to maintain the cookie’s texture.

Is it necessary to use almond extract in this recipe?

While optional, almond extract is a small but crucial ingredient that gives these cookies their signature flavor profile, mimicking the delicate aroma of cherry blossoms. Using vanilla alone will still make tasty cookies, but the almond extract deepens the flavor beautifully.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder to keep the cookies tender and prevent crumbling.

What’s the best way to prevent the whole cherries from sinking in the dough?

Press the whole cherry gently into the top of the cookie dough ball right before baking to keep it visible and prevent sinking. You can also chill the dough slightly before shaping to help with better results.

Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?

Absolutely! This recipe scales up easily. Just be sure to mix the ingredients well and bake cookies in batches to avoid overcrowding your oven for the best results when making a double batch of the Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about baking Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe and sharing them with the people you care about. With their tender texture, delightful cherry bursts, and pretty presentation, they’re the perfect way to brighten any day. Give this recipe a try—you’ll find it’s not just a cookie, but a little moment of joy in every bite.