Heavenly Soft Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

Sweet and tender, these soft cherry almond amish sugar cookies dance with delightful bursts of flavor that melt in your mouth.

Baked with simple ingredients, the recipe brings traditional comfort to your kitchen.

Cherries add a vibrant pop of color and tangy sweetness to the classic sugar cookie base.

Almond extract weaves a subtle, nutty essence through each delicate bite.

The Amish-inspired technique ensures a perfectly soft, pillowy texture that makes these cookies irresistible.

Loaded with charm and nostalgia, they promise to become a cherished treat for any gathering.

You’ll find these cookies disappearing faster than you can bake them – so grab an apron and let’s get started!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 49

Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies Ingredient Lineup

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for classic cookie texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates light, soft rise and helps cookies achieve perfect fluffy consistency.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies spread evenly and neutralizes acidic ingredients.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness of the cookie.

• Granulated Sugar: Delivers classic sweetness and helps cookies develop golden edges.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates tender, melt-in-mouth texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structural support.

• Almond Extract: Introduces warm, nutty depth with sophisticated aromatic profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor with smooth, comforting undertone.
• Maraschino Cherries: Adds vibrant color and sweet-tart fruity burst.
• Sliced Almonds: Provides delightful crunch and nutty complexity to cookies.

Tools That Help You Create Cherry Almond Amish Cookies

• Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to get that perfect fluffy texture.
• Baking Sheet: Crucial for baking cookies evenly and preventing sticking.
• Parchment Paper: Helps cookies release easily and prevents burning.
• Medium Bowl: Needed for mixing dry ingredients.
• Large Bowl: Used for combining wet ingredients and mixing dough.
• Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.
• Wire Rack: Perfect for cooling cookies and letting air circulate.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients smoothly.
• Fork: Optional for gently pressing down cookie tops before baking.

How to Bake Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies

• Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper for smooth cookie removal.

• Mix Dry Components

Grab a bowl and whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until perfectly blended.

• Whip Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, blend softened butter and sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy like a cloud.

• Introduce Liquid Elements

Crack in the egg, then splash in almond and vanilla extracts. Mix until everything looks harmonious.

• Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until a smooth, dreamy dough emerges.

• Enhance with Goodies

Tenderly fold chopped maraschino cherries and sliced almonds into the dough, keeping the chunks intact.

• Shape and Bake

Scoop rounded dough balls onto the baking sheet, leaving space between each. Gently press tops with a fork. Slide into the oven for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden but centers stay soft.

• Cool and Savor

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet briefly, then transfer to a wire rack. Pair with milk or your favorite warm drink for ultimate enjoyment.

Flavor Tweaks for Your Cherry Almond Cookie Dough

• Softly cream butter and sugar to create a light, fluffy base that ensures tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies every single time.
• Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months for spontaneous baking moments.
• Swap regular flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these delightful cookies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter to transform these cookies into a delicious plant-based treat that everyone can enjoy.
• Experiment with different fruit additions like dried cranberries, chopped dried cherries, or fresh raspberries to create unique flavor profiles that match your mood or pantry ingredients.

Serve These Cookies at Holidays or Tea Time

• Party Platter Paradise: Arrange cookies on a decorative ceramic platter with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and fresh cherry garnish for elegant dessert presentation.
• Beverage Bliss: Pair these sweet treats with cold milk, hot chai tea, or a creamy almond latte to enhance the cherry and almond flavor profile.
• Gifting Delight: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, adding a small handwritten recipe card for a charming homemade gift perfect for holidays or potlucks.
• Dessert Transformation: Crumble cookies over vanilla ice cream or use as a base for a quick trifle, creating a delightful dessert remix that showcases their unique flavor combination.

Store Amish Sugar Cookies for Ongoing Sweetness

• Store cookie dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and enhance flavor concentration.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain texture and prevent sticking.
• Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 2 days before baking and refrigerate. This technique allows flavors to meld and develop deeper, richer taste profiles, creating more delicious cookies.

FAQs

• What are the key flavors in these Amish sugar cookies?

These cookies combine the sweetness of maraschino cherries with the nutty richness of almond extract, creating a delightful blend of fruity and almond flavors that make them uniquely delicious.

• Can I make these cookies without almonds?

Absolutely! The sliced almonds are optional, so you can easily omit them if you prefer or have a nut allergy. The cookies will still taste great with just the cherry and vanilla flavors.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and soft centers. The cookies should still look slightly underbaked in the middle when you remove them from the oven, as they will continue to set while cooling.

• What makes Amish sugar cookies different from regular sugar cookies?

Amish sugar cookies are typically softer, more tender, and have a distinct richness from using plenty of butter. They’re known for their melt-in-your-mouth texture and simple, straightforward ingredients.

Soft Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 49 1x

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Description

Homemade Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies blend sweet cherries with nutty almonds in a classic Pennsylvania Dutch treat. Simple ingredients create delightful cookies perfect for sharing with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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• 4 ½ cups (540 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (237 ml) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (237 ml) vegetable or canola oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 45 cups (540 g) powdered sugar (for icing)
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 2 teaspoons cherry extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2 (12 oz / 340 g) jars maraschino cherries, drained, minced, and patted dry
• 4 tbsps (57 g) butter, melted (for icing)
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) maraschino cherry juice (or 1–2 tbsps for a lighter color)
• ½ cup (60 g) slivered almonds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prep Station: Arrange parchment paper on baking sheet and preheat oven to 350F (175C), creating an ideal baking environment.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring uniform ingredient distribution.
3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light, fluffy, and pale, developing a voluminous texture for approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Liquid Integration: Blend egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, achieving a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
5. Dough Composition: Carefully incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring to create a uniform dough without overworking the batter.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Gently fold chopped maraschino cherries and sliced almonds throughout the dough, maintaining an even flavor profile and structural balance.
7. Cookie Formation: Utilize a cookie scoop to create uniform rounded balls, positioning them two inches apart on the baking sheet. Softly flatten each cookie with a fork or fingertips to create a subtle indentation.
8. Baking Precision: Bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring for light golden edges while preserving soft, tender centers. Remove when cookies appear set but not excessively browned.
9. Cooling Protocol: Rest cookies briefly on baking sheet to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Serve and enjoy the delicate, nuanced flavors.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients gently to avoid tough, dense cookies; mix just until combined for light, tender texture.
• Cherry Distribution Trick: Pat maraschino cherries dry with paper towels before adding to prevent excess moisture from making dough soggy and compromising cookie structure.
• Temperature Precision: Remove cookies from oven when edges are lightly golden, not deeply browned, to maintain soft, moist center and prevent dried-out results.
• Almond Variation: Toast sliced almonds briefly before adding to enhance nutty flavor and provide extra crunch, creating more depth in the cookie’s overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 49
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg