Dessert

Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe

ByMarina Montclair December 27, 2025December 27, 2025

Introduction

Chocolate Cherry Blossoms are a delightful blend of buttery cookies, maraschino cherries, and rich chocolate kisses. These festive treats combine chewy and crunchy textures with a hint of almond and cherry flavor, perfect for any occasion. Easy to make and irresistibly tasty, they’re sure to be a favorite in your cookie collection.

The image shows several round pink cookies with a slightly rough texture, speckled with small red pieces embedded throughout the dough. Each cookie has a light golden-brown base layer, topped by the soft pink layer that forms the main body of the cookie. In the center of each cookie, there is a single dark brown, smooth, and shiny chocolate drop shaped like a small peak. The cookies are arranged evenly on a flat surface with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup butter (softened)
1 cup powdered sugar
4 teaspoons cherry juice (from the maraschino jar)
1/2 cup maraschino cherries (chopped)
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 bag Hershey Kisses (dark chocolate recommended)
1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
1 tablespoon water (for glaze)
1 teaspoon almond extract (for glaze)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and 1 cup powdered sugar together until creamy and smooth.
Step 3: Add the cherry juice, chopped maraschino cherries, and almond extract to the butter mixture. Mix until well combined. Optional: add a few drops of red food coloring for a more vibrant pink color.
Step 4: Gradually add the flour and mix until fully incorporated. The dough will be dry but should hold together when formed into balls. If it’s too dry, add more cherry juice 1 teaspoon at a time.
Step 5: Shape the dough into 1 1/2-inch round balls. Place them on ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 6: Bake the cookies at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn light golden brown.
Step 7: While the cookies bake, unwrap the Hershey Kisses. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: To prepare the glaze, mix 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon water, and 1 teaspoon almond extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and allow it to harden before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a stronger cherry flavor, increase the amount of cherry juice gradually but avoid making the dough too wet.
Use dark chocolate Hershey Kisses for a richer contrast; milk chocolate works well for a sweeter profile.
To make the cookies more festive, add a few drops of food coloring along with the cherry juice to brighten the dough.
If you don’t have almond extract, vanilla extract can be used as a substitute with a slightly different flavor.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keep them away from heat or moisture to maintain their texture. If glazed, allow the glaze to fully set before storing. They can also be frozen for up to three months; thaw at room temperature before serving. Reheating is not necessary.

How to Serve

The image shows several small pink cookies with a soft, slightly crumbly texture, each studded with bits of red candy or jelly embedded in the dough. Each cookie has a single dollop of smooth, dark brown chocolate in the center, shaped like a small peak. The cookies are laid out spaced apart on a flat white marbled surface, with light casting soft shadows underneath them, highlighting their rounded, slightly uneven shape. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries have more moisture and less sweetness, which can affect the dough texture and flavor. If using fresh cherries, chop and drain them well, and consider adding additional sugar and cherry juice to balance moisture and flavor.

What can I substitute for the Hershey Kisses?

You can use any bite-sized chocolate candies or individually wrapped chocolate drops. Mini chocolate chips won’t work as well since the cookies are designed to hold a whole chocolate piece in the center.