Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe
If you’re searching for a cookie that delivers nostalgic comfort with a sweet, nutty twist, you’ll fall in love with Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies. These cookies are impossibly soft and pillowy, dotted with vibrant maraschino cherries and toasted almonds, and kissed with just the right hint of almond and vanilla. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, sharing with friends, or just treating yourself, every bite of these beautiful cookies feels like a hug from the inside out.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You might be surprised at how simple the ingredients list is for Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies, but each component plays a key role in creating their delicate texture, rich flavor, and irresistible appearance. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Unsalted butter (softened): Brings richness, moisture, and that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies incredibly soft and tender, even days after baking.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cookies brown just right.
- Powdered sugar: Contributes to the delicate, almost creamy crumb.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add a bit of lift.
- Almond extract: Infuses each bite with fragrant, nutty notes that pair beautifully with the cherries.
- Vanilla extract: Balances the almond with classic comfort.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookies, giving them structure without heaviness.
- Baking soda: Ensures a gentle rise and a light texture.
- Cream of tartar: Adds that signature Amish cookie tang and helps with lift.
- Salt: Just enough to enhance all the other flavors.
- Chopped maraschino cherries (well drained and patted dry): Add pops of color and sweet, fruity flavor—be sure to dry them well for best results.
- Sliced almonds (lightly toasted): Bring a gentle crunch and a toasty, nutty accent.
How to Make Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This step keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Having everything ready to go before mixing your dough means you can work quickly and efficiently once things get started.
Step 2: Cream the Fats and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this will take several minutes but is crucial for that soft, tender crumb that makes Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies so dreamy.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Extracts
Beat in the eggs, almond extract, and vanilla extract until your mixture is perfectly smooth. The almond extract is where the magic happens, giving your cookies their signature flavor and aroma.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. This ensures the leaveners and salt are evenly distributed, preventing any surprise salty or bitter bites.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as you see no more streaks of flour. This keeps your cookies soft rather than tough.
Step 6: Fold in the Cherries and Almonds
Gently fold in the chopped, well-drained maraschino cherries and lightly toasted sliced almonds. Folding rather than mixing preserves the delicate texture of the dough and ensures every cookie gets a perfect balance of fruit and nuts.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Scoop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart so they have room to spread. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden. The centers should still look slightly soft—this is what makes Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies so pillowy!
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This brief rest helps them set up so they don’t fall apart. Once cool, they’re ready to devour—or decorate!
How to Serve Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
A simple drizzle of white chocolate adds a festive touch and extra sweetness to your Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies. You can also sprinkle a few extra toasted almond slices on top for crunch or dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a classic, snowy finish.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee, black tea, or even a cold glass of milk. For a truly special treat, serve them alongside a bowl of vanilla ice cream or with a fruit salad to balance their sweetness with something fresh and bright.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies in a clear jar and tie it with a ribbon for an effortless homemade gift. Arrange them on a vintage platter for a tea party or holiday dessert tray. You can even use them as the base for ice cream sandwiches, with cherry or almond gelato between two cookies for a double dose of flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They stay soft and moist, so you can bake ahead for parties or lunchbox treats all week long.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully—just let them cool completely, then stack them between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to two months, ready to grab whenever you need a sweet pick-me-up or a last-minute dessert.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-baked softness, warm your Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies in the microwave for about 8 seconds, or pop them in a low oven for a few minutes. They’ll taste just like they came out of the oven, with the cherries and almonds even more aromatic.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Fresh cherries have more moisture and a different flavor profile, so they might make the dough too wet. Maraschino cherries give the cookies their signature color and taste, but if you want to experiment with fresh, chop and dry them thoroughly before folding in.
What if I don’t have cream of tartar?
Cream of tartar adds a slight tang and helps the cookies rise. If you don’t have any, substitute with an extra 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, though the flavor and texture may change slightly.
How do I toast the sliced almonds?
Simply spread the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring once, until fragrant and lightly golden. Watch closely—they can go from perfect to burnt fast!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to soften slightly, then scoop and bake as directed.
Are Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies suitable for gifting?
These cookies are ideal for gifting—the vibrant cherries and toasted almonds make them beautiful, and their texture stays soft for days. Package them in a festive tin or jar, and you’re guaranteed to delight any recipient.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, you can’t go wrong with Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies. They’re the perfect blend of homey comfort and festive flair. Try a batch and see how quickly they disappear—these might just become your new signature cookie!
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 soft, buttery, and perfectly sweetened, featuring plump maraschino cherries and crunchy toasted almonds for a delightful texture. This traditional Amish recipe brings a nostalgic, homemade feel to your holiday dessert table or any special occasion with its rich almond and vanilla flavors.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries, well drained and patted dry
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter, Oil, and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the almond extract and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough.
- Fold in Cherries and Almonds: Gently fold in the well-drained chopped maraschino cherries and toasted sliced almonds, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheets: Using a rounded tablespoon, scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading while baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely to maintain texture and flavor.
Notes
- Be sure to thoroughly drain and pat dry the maraschino cherries to prevent excess moisture from making the cookies soggy.
- For an extra festive presentation and additional sweetness, drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- These cookies freeze well; place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Amish, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
