Description
Chocolate Cherry Blossoms are delightful buttery cookies infused with cherry juice and chopped maraschino cherries, crowned with a rich Hershey’s Kiss and optionally drizzled with a sweet almond glaze. These festive treats balance soft, tender textures and the perfect hint of almond and cherry flavors, making them an ideal dessert for holidays or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 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 all-purpose flour
Topping
- 1 bag Hershey’s Kisses (dark chocolate preferred)
Optional Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Place the softened butter and 1 cup powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Beat together using a mixer until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth.
- Add Flavorings and Cherries: Add the cherry juice, chopped maraschino cherries, and 3/4 teaspoon almond extract to the creamed mixture. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients uniformly. Optionally, add a few drops of food coloring to enhance the pink hue of the dough.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually mix in the 2 1/2 cups of flour until fully incorporated. The dough will appear dry but should still hold together enough to shape into balls. If too dry, add cherry juice one teaspoon at a time to adjust.
- Form Dough Balls: Shape the dough into balls approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Ensure they are not too small to prevent the Hershey’s Kiss from overpowering the cookie. Place the dough balls on ungreased cookie sheets or ones lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Bake: Bake cookies in the preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until the bottom edges turn a light golden brown.
- Add Hershey’s Kisses: While baking, unwrap the Hershey’s Kisses. When the cookies come out of the oven, keep them on the baking sheet and gently press one Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. Leave the cookies on the tray for an additional 5 minutes to set.
- Cool Cookies: Transfer cookies to wire cooling racks and allow to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare Optional Glaze: In a small bowl, stir together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon water, and 1 teaspoon almond extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and let it harden before serving.
Notes
- If the dough feels too dry and crumbly, gradually add more cherry juice, a teaspoon at a time, until it holds together well.
- Unwrapping the Hershey’s Kisses before baking ensures they are ready to press into the cookies immediately after baking.
- Using dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses provides a deeper chocolate flavor that complements the cherry and almond notes.
- For enhanced color, add a few drops of red or pink food coloring to the dough.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- The optional glaze adds sweetness and a decorative touch but can be omitted for a less sweet finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chocolate Cherry Blossoms, Cherry Cookies, Hershey Kiss Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Cherry Blossom Cookies, Almond Cherry Cookies
