Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe
Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on a classic recipe, blending sweet cherries and fragrant almond extract with the irresistible softness that Amish sugar cookies are famous for. These cookies are incredibly tender, full of cheerful cherry flecks and just the right hint of nutty crunch. Whether you make them for the holidays or just because, they have that old-fashioned bakery window charm—soft, crumbly, and perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself with a cozy cup of tea).
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies comes from simple pantry staples and a few stand-out ingredients that really set them apart. Each element brings something special, from rich flavor to soft texture and eye-catching color.
- Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, melt-in-your-mouth crumb and helps achieve that classic Amish cookie softness.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and gives them a tender texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Adds extra softness and a subtle, delicate sweetness that balances the dough.
- Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cookies dreamy and moist while adding a hint of lightness.
- Large Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the cookies’ perfect bite.
- Almond Extract: Delivers the signature fragrant, nutty aroma that beautifully complements the cherries.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure while keeping the crumb soft, not cakey.
- Baking Soda: Gives just enough lift so each cookie bakes up fluffy and light.
- Cream of Tartar: Adds a subtle tang and helps create that signature melt-in-your-mouth Amish cookie texture.
- Salt: Balances all the sweet ingredients and highlights the flavors.
- Chopped Maraschino Cherries: Bring bursts of sweetness and pink color; be sure to pat them dry to prevent excess moisture.
- Sliced Almonds (optional): Add a pretty crunch on top, making every cookie feel a little extra-special.
How to Make Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies will bake evenly and lift off the pan perfectly every time. While the oven warms, chop the maraschino cherries and pat them dry thoroughly—this simple step makes a big difference in the finished texture!
Step 2: Cream Together the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy—this gives your cookies an irresistible, airy crumb. Once you’re happy with the texture, beat in the eggs and almond extract until just combined and glossy.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. It’s quick, but don’t skip this step! Even mixing ensures your Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies will rise evenly and have that picture-perfect crumb.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low or by hand until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. The dough should be uniform and just hold together. Now for the fun part—gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries, making sure they’re evenly distributed for little bursts of color and fruity flavor in every bite.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto your lined baking sheets, leaving a little space for spreading. If you’d like, press a few sliced almonds on top of each for gorgeous crunch and extra almond flavor. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack—they’ll finish setting up perfectly as they cool.
How to Serve Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
If you want to make your Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies look bakery-shoppable, try garnishing with an extra sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Sliced almonds on top are not just elegant—they add a lovely crunch and make every cookie feel extra special.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a mug of rich coffee, fragrant tea, or a tall glass of cold milk. For a dessert platter, surround them with fresh berries or a cluster of dark grapes to play up their bright cherry notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Share a plate of Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies at your next gathering on a vintage cake stand or stack them in a rustic basket lined with a linen napkin. They also make gorgeous edible gifts: package a dozen in a glass jar or tie-up stacks in parchment with a pretty ribbon for a festive homemade touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your cookies are completely cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Layer parchment between the cookies if you’re stacking them; this keeps the cherry bits from sticking to each other and preserves that soft, crumbly texture.
Freezing
Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies freeze beautifully! Place cooled cookies on a baking sheet in a single layer to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll stay fresh-tasting for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To enjoy that fresh-from-the-oven experience, pop a cookie in the microwave for just 5–10 seconds, or warm a batch in a low oven (300°F) for a few minutes. This revives their softness and brings out their sweet, buttery aroma.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
While maraschino cherries give these cookies their signature sweetness and color, you can use well-drained, finely chopped fresh cherries for a more tart, natural flavor. Be sure to blot them exceptionally well to prevent excess moisture in your dough.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Chilling isn’t necessary for Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies, but if your kitchen is especially warm or you want a tidier shape, a 20-minute chill in the fridge can help prevent spreading during baking.
Are these cookies nut-free if I skip the almond slices?
Omitting the sliced almonds on top does make them nut-free technically, but keep in mind the almond extract still gives a nutty flavor. For complete safety, use a nut-free flavoring instead.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can refrigerate the dough (well wrapped) for up to 48 hours before baking. If the dough is too firm, let it soften at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before scooping.
How do I keep the cookies from drying out?
Store the cookies in an airtight container, and if you’re storing them for more than a day or two, add a slice of sandwich bread to the container—the moisture from the bread helps keep the cookies fresh and soft.
Final Thoughts
Once you share a batch of Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies with family or friends, it’s hard not to fall in love with their tender crumb and cheery bursts of cherry. They’re the kind of cookie everyone will remember, whether you serve them at a holiday party or sneak a few for a midnight treat. Give them a try and get ready to make a new favorite tradition!
Print
Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, with the added flavors of almond, maraschino cherries, and sliced almonds. They are soft, slightly crumbly, and perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped maraschino cherries (patted dry)
Topping:
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and oil until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and almond extract: Beat in the eggs and almond extract until well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Stir in cherries: Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries.
- Form and bake: Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Press sliced almonds on top of each cookie if desired. Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on the pan before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Be sure to blot the maraschino cherries well to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
- These cookies are soft and slightly crumbly—perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
