White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies combine buttery shortbread, creamy white baking chocolate, sweet maraschino cherries, and an optional chocolate-dipped finish for a festive cookie that looks beautiful on any holiday dessert tray.
White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies
These White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies are a simple, festive, and flavorful treat for Christmas cookie trays, holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or any time you want a pretty homemade dessert. The recipe brings together the rich, crumbly texture of classic shortbread with the sweetness of maraschino cherries and the smooth flavor of white baking chocolate. For an extra special touch, the cooled cookies can be dipped in melted semi-sweet chocolate and finished with sprinkles.
Shortbread cookies are known for their buttery flavor and tender bite, and this version adds a bright cherry flavor that makes each cookie feel cheerful and seasonal. The chopped maraschino cherries give the dough little pops of color, while almond extract adds a warm bakery-style note that pairs beautifully with both the cherries and the white chocolate. The result is a cookie that tastes rich without being complicated to make.
This recipe is especially useful when you want a Christmas cookie that stands out visually but does not require advanced decorating skills. The dough is shaped into small balls, gently flattened, and baked until set. Once the cookies have cooled, dipping half of each cookie in melted chocolate gives them a polished finish. Sprinkles are optional, but they can make the cookies even more festive for the holidays.
For best results, make sure the maraschino cherries are well drained before adding them to the dough. Excess liquid can make the shortbread too soft, so spreading the chopped cherries on a paper towel is an important step. The butter should be cold and cut into small pieces so it blends into the flour and sugar mixture properly, creating that classic shortbread texture.
White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup cold butter cut into small pats
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 4 ounces white baking chocolate
- ½ cup maraschino cherries drained and finely chopped
Optional
- 8 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- Sprinkles
Instructions
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Spread the chopped maraschino cherries on a paper towel and let them drain well before adding them to the cookie dough.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and sugar.
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Add the cold butter and cut it into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Avoid leaving pieces larger than a pea.
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Melt the white baking chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until smooth. Let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes, just until it is no longer hot but still soft and stirrable.
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Stir the melted white chocolate, drained cherries, and almond extract into the crumb mixture.
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Knead the dough gently until everything is fully combined and a smooth ball forms.
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Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.
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Flatten each dough ball into a small round using the bottom of a small drinking glass. If the dough sticks, dip the bottom of the glass in sugar before pressing.
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Bake at 325° for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the centers are set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 1 minute before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Optional Chocolate Dip
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Melt the semi-sweet baking chocolate and shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until fully melted and smooth.
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Dip half of each cooled cookie into the melted chocolate. Add sprinkles if desired, then place the cookies on wax paper until the chocolate hardens.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 21g |
Protein: 2g |
Fat: 14g |
Saturated Fat: 8g |
Cholesterol: 21mg |
Sodium: 73mg |
Sugar: 10g
These White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies are a lovely choice when you want a holiday cookie with familiar flavors and a festive appearance. Serve them with other Christmas cookies, package them for a homemade gift, or add them to a dessert table for a sweet bite that brings together butter, cherry, almond, and chocolate in every cookie.
If you liked this White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies recipe, you might also enjoy these dessert ideas.
Raspberry Ganache Thumbprints
German Chocolate Cake Cookies
Gingersnap Cherry Cheesecake
