Description
Delicate maraschino shortbread cookies dance with sweet cherry charm, blending buttery richness and nostalgic flavor. Crisp edges and delightful pink hue make these treats irresistible for afternoon tea or special celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup maraschino cherries, chopped and drained
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
Seasoning:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Cream butter and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until light and airy, then incorporate vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Gradually blend flour mixture into butter combination, mixing until substantial crumbly clusters develop.
- Gently fold chocolate chips and thoroughly drained cherries into the dough, distributing ingredients evenly.
- Carefully shape dough into a compact cylindrical log approximately 2 inches in diameter, then tightly wrap in plastic film.
- Refrigerate log for 1-2 hours to firm and solidify, allowing flavors to meld and dough to stabilize.
- Preheat oven to 325°F and prepare baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove chilled log and slice into uniform rounds approximately 1/3 inch thick using a sharp knife.
- Arrange shortbread slices on prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between cookies.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until edges turn delicate golden brown, indicating perfect shortbread texture.
- Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that creams perfectly with powdered sugar.
- Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making shortbread soggy or affecting texture.
- Consider chopping chocolate chips and cherries into smaller pieces for more balanced flavor distribution in each bite.
- Swap maraschino cherries with dried cherries for a less sweet, more intense fruit flavor and chewier texture variation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 175
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg