Cherry Blossom Cookies are a sweet, simple joy to bake and eat. I love their soft, buttery texture and the cheerful pop of pink from the cherries. They’re like a bite of spring!
I adore how each cookie offers a burst of cherry flavor, complemented perfectly by the rich, smooth Hershey kisses. Simple, sweet, and utterly delicious – it’s a recipe that always warms the heart and pleases the palate.
Table of Content
Ingredients Needed for a Cherry Blossom Cookie:
- Flour: I always reach for all-purpose flour to give our cookies the perfect structure. It’s the foundation that holds all the yummy bits together.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is my choice here, adding that rich, buttery flavor without overpowering the cookies with extra salt.
- Sugar: I stick with white sugar to bring a crisp sweetness without altering the color of our cookies.
- Eggs: I make sure to use room-temperature eggs, ensuring they mix well and give our cookies a moist texture.
- Baking Powder: A little baking powder gives my cookies just the right amount of lift and chewiness.
- Cherries: Fresh, pitted cherries are my go-to, offering a burst of sweetness and a vibrant pop of color.
- Chocolate: I can’t resist adding Hershey kisses, bringing a smooth, chocolatey goodness that pairs so well with the cherries.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of quality vanilla extract enhances the sweet aroma and flavor that I adore.
- Salt: Just a pinch of fine sea salt is enough to balance the sweetness and elevate the flavors.
- Optional Add-ins: Sometimes, I love throwing in a handful of chopped almonds or white chocolate chips for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Quick Look at Making Cherry Blossom Cookies:
You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these delightful Cherry Blossom Cookies:
- Mix the Dough: Combine butter, sugar, cherry juice, and your chosen extract. Add flour until the dough is just right, then stir in those tasty chopped cherries.
- Shape and Chill: Form into balls, roll them in sugar, and let them chill to hold their shape while baking.
- Bake: In a preheated oven until just perfect, then press a Hershey kiss into each warm cookie.
- Cool and Serve: Patience, let them cool a bit, and then they’re ready to enjoy!
This is a quick look at how we’ll create our cookies. Each step is easy and fun, and you’ll have delicious, pretty cookies at the end. Ready for the detailed steps next?
Ingredients List:
For the Cookies:
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup, softened to room temperature.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: 1 cup.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon.
- Maraschino Cherry Juice: 1 tablespoon.
- Extract: ¼ teaspoon, almond, vanilla, or cherry, to add an extra layer of flavor. I often lean towards almond for a slightly nutty undertone.
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 – 2 1/2 cups. Start with 2 cups and add more as needed to achieve the right consistency.
- Maraschino Cherries: 1 cup, chopped.
For Rolling and Topping:
- Granulated White Sugar: ¼ cup.
- Hershey Kisses: 24 pieces, because a chocolatey kiss in the center makes everything better!
Kitchen Tools for Cherry Blossom Cookies:
Baking these lovely cherry blossom cookies is a breeze with the right tools! Here’s a simple list of kitchen equipment you’ll need:
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Electric Mixer
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Oven
- Cooling Rack (optional)
How to Make Cherry Blossom Cookies:
Time needed: 40 minutes
Follow these 5 easy steps to prepare the Cherry Blossom Cookies in about 40 minutes. Each step is simple and fun, making your baking journey enjoyable from start to finish!
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
Start by placing 1 cup of softened unsalted butter into your large mixing bowl. Add 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar and use your electric mixer to blend them until they’re light and fluffy.
- Add Flavors:
Pour in 1 tablespoon of maraschino cherry juice and ¼ teaspoon of your chosen extract (almond, vanilla, or cherry). Continue to mix until these are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Incorporate the Flour:
Begin by adding 2 cups of all-purpose flour to your mixture, mixing on low to avoid any flour clouds. Gradually add a bit more flour, a couple of tablespoons at a time, until your dough reaches a non-sticky, playdough-like consistency.
- Bring in the Cherries:
Gently fold in 1 cup of chopped maraschino cherries, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form the Cookie Balls:
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out portions of dough. Roll them into balls and then roll each ball in the ¼ cup of granulated white sugar to coat them nicely.
- Chill the Dough:
Place your sugar-coated cookie balls in the fridge and let them chill for at least 20 minutes. This helps them hold their shape while baking.
- Preheat Your Oven:
While your cookie balls are chilling, set your oven to preheat at 350 degrees. Also, line your baking sheet with parchment paper to get ready for baking.
- Bake to Perfection:
Arrange your cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they’re spaced evenly. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until they’re baked through.
- Add the Chocolate Kiss:
As soon as the cookies are out of the oven, gently press a Hershey kiss into the center of each one.
- Cool and Enjoy Your Cherry Blossom Cookies:
Allow your cookies to cool slightly, letting the chocolate kiss set a bit, and then they’re ready to be enjoyed!
Adapting the Cherry Blossom Cookies for Various Diets:
Gluten-Free:
- All-Purpose Flour: Substitute with a gluten-free flour blend. Bob’s Red Mill offers a great option that works well in baking. Keep the quantity the same, but be mindful that textures might slightly differ.
Dairy-Free:
- Unsalted Butter: Replace with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. If using coconut oil, use ¾ cup instead of a full cup to avoid an overly oily dough. Note that using coconut oil might impart a slight coconut flavor.
- Hershey Kisses: Opt for a dairy-free chocolate brand like Enjoy Life to place in the center of your cookies.
Nut-Free:
- If you choose to use almond extract, a nut-free alternative is to stick with vanilla or cherry extract to keep the recipe nut-free while still flavorful.
Vegan:
- Unsalted Butter: Use a vegan butter alternative or coconut oil (¾ cup).
- Eggs: Replace with a commercial egg replacer, such as Ener-G, or use flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons of water per egg). Note that flax eggs might give a slightly nuttier flavor.
- Hershey Kisses: Choose a vegan chocolate brand like Enjoy Life or a dark chocolate that doesn’t contain dairy.
Additional Notes:
- Texture and Flavor: Substitutes, especially in baking, may slightly alter the texture and flavor of your cookies. For instance, coconut oil might add a coconutty note, and flax eggs can make the cookies a bit denser.
- Appearance: Using dark chocolate instead of Hershey kisses will change the look but not the deliciousness!
- Testing: Whenever possible, do a small test batch with your substitutes to ensure you’re happy with the taste and texture before baking a full batch.
FAQs and Common Issues for Cherry Blossom Cookies:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can, but maraschino cherries provide a distinct sweetness and vibrant color that fresh cherries might not offer. If using fresh cherries, ensure they are pitted and perhaps add a bit more sugar to the dough.
Absolutely! Feel free to use any chocolate you prefer. A chunk of milk or dark chocolate or even a different brand of chocolate kisses will work.
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee. Serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream also makes for a delightful dessert!
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to a week. If glazed, allow the glaze to set before storing.
Cherry Blossom Cookies: Common Issues and Solutions:
The cookies spread too much during baking:
Ensure the cookie dough balls are chilled sufficiently before baking. This prevents them from spreading too much in the oven.
The Hershey Kisses are melting too much when placed on the hot cookies:
Allow the cookies to cool for a minute or two before placing the chocolate on top. They will still melt slightly but should maintain their shape better.
The cookies are too hard:
Ensure that you do not overbake the cookies. They should be just lightly golden around the edges. Also, make sure to measure the flour correctly to avoid adding too much, which can result in hard cookies.
The cherries are making the dough too wet:
Ensure your chopped cherries are well-drained and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture before adding them to the dough.
Other Delicious Recipes You May Also Enjoy!!
- Cherry Bars: Delicious & Easy Recipe
- Blueberry Bread
- Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
- Strawberry Bread with Fresh Strawberry Glaze
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
Have you liked our Cherry Blossom Cookies recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below, share your tweaks, and let’s spread the baking joy together. Your tips might just be the secret ingredient someone needs!
