Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread

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Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread is the kind of festive cookie that instantly makes a holiday tray feel complete. These buttery little rounds have that classic tender shortbread texture, with bright red cherry pieces tucked into every bite and a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy finish. They look cheerful, taste rich and delicate, and bring that old fashioned Christmas cookie charm people never get tired of.

What makes them especially lovable is how simple they are to pull together. You do not need complicated techniques or fancy decorating tools to get a beautiful result. The dough comes together quickly, the cherries add color and sweetness, and the finished cookies feel perfect for gift boxes, cookie swaps, dessert platters, or a cozy evening with coffee and twinkle lights.

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Why You’ll Love This Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread

These cookies are buttery, soft, and slightly crumbly in the best shortbread way. The maraschino cherries add little bursts of sweetness and festive color, while the overall flavor stays rich and balanced instead of overly sugary.

They are also ideal for the holiday season because they look special without demanding much effort. You can make them ahead, serve them at parties, or pack them into tins for gifting. If you enjoy Christmas cookies that feel nostalgic, pretty, and dependable, this one checks every box.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before you start, gather everything so the dough comes together smoothly and the cookies bake evenly. A little prep makes a big difference with shortbread because the texture depends on gentle mixing and consistent shaping.

A large mixing bowl gives you enough room to cream the butter and sugar properly, which helps create that tender crumb. An electric hand mixer or stand mixer is useful because it blends the butter smoothly without overworking the dough. Measuring cups and spoons matter here because shortbread relies on accurate ratios for the right texture. A silicone spatula helps fold in the chopped cherries gently and scrape the bowl so nothing is wasted. A baking sheet lined with parchment paper keeps the bottoms from sticking and encourages even baking. A cookie scoop or tablespoon helps portion the dough evenly so the cookies bake at the same rate. Finally, a wire rack is important for cooling because it prevents the bottoms from getting soft from trapped steam.

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Ingredients for the Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread

Each ingredient in this recipe has a job to do, and together they create a cookie that is rich, tender, and festive.

Unsalted butter gives the shortbread its signature buttery flavor and delicate crumb.

Powdered sugar sweetens the dough while keeping the texture soft and fine rather than coarse.

Vanilla extract adds warmth and rounds out the buttery flavor beautifully.

Almond extract brings a light bakery style note that pairs especially well with cherries.

All purpose flour forms the structure of the cookies and keeps them sturdy enough to hold their shape.

Salt balances the sweetness and keeps the buttery flavor from tasting flat.

Maraschino cherries add pops of bright color, soft texture, and sweet cherry flavor that make these cookies feel perfect for Christmas.

Powdered sugar for dusting gives the finished cookies that festive snowy look.

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How To Make the Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread

This dough is easy to prepare, but a gentle hand helps keep the shortbread tender. Pat the cherries dry well before adding them so the dough stays soft and not wet.

Step 1: Prep the Baking Sheet and Ingredients

Line your baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 325°F. Drain the maraschino cherries very well, then pat them dry with paper towels before chopping them into small pieces.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth, creamy, and light. This step builds the base of the cookie dough and helps create that classic melt in your mouth texture.

Step 3: Add the Flavorings

Mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract until fully combined. These extracts give the dough a warm, festive flavor that makes the cherry pieces stand out even more.

Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients

Add the flour and salt gradually, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix at this stage because that can make the cookies less tender.

Step 5: Fold in the Cherries

Use a spatula to gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries. Try to distribute them evenly throughout the dough so each cookie gets plenty of color and flavor.

Step 6: Portion the Dough

Scoop tablespoon sized portions of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each one slightly with your fingers or the bottom of a glass so they bake into thick, soft rounds.

Step 7: Bake Until Just Set

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden and the tops look set. Shortbread should stay pale, so avoid overbaking.

Step 8: Cool and Finish

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust lightly with powdered sugar for the final festive touch.

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Serving and Storing Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread

These cookies are lovely served on a holiday dessert platter with chocolate treats, spiced cookies, and a mug of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. They also make a beautiful addition to Christmas brunch spreads and homemade gift boxes because their bright cherry pieces stand out so nicely.

To store them, place the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 1 week, though they are best served after coming back to room temperature so the butter rich texture softens again. You can also freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. If stacking them, place parchment between layers to protect their delicate surface.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Let it sit for a few minutes at room temperature if it feels too firm to scoop.

Do I need to dry the cherries first?

Yes, this is an important step. Extra liquid from the cherries can make the dough too wet and affect the final texture.

Can I skip the almond extract?

You can. The cookies will still taste delicious with vanilla alone, though the almond extract adds a classic cherry bakery flavor.

Why are my shortbread cookies crumbly?

Shortbread is naturally delicate, but if the dough feels too dry, it may have had a little too much flour packed in. Measure carefully and mix only until the dough comes together.

Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, the dough freezes well. Portion it first, freeze the pieces on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag and bake later.

Can I add nuts to this recipe?

Yes, finely chopped pecans or almonds can work well if you want extra crunch, but keep the amount modest so the cookies still hold together nicely.

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Want More Cookie Ideas?

If you love these Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread cookies, you might want to keep baking with a few more sweet favorites from Kitchen By Kate:

• Try Simple Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies for another soft and festive cookie with a fruity center.
• Bake a batch of Quick and Easy Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Cookies when you want something rich, chewy, and deeply chocolatey.
• Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups for a fun cookie tray option with a more indulgent twist.
• Add Winter Brittle to your holiday sweets lineup for a crisp candy contrast next to buttery cookies.
• Serve Gooey Strawberry Earthquake Cake when you want a bright, crowd pleasing dessert for parties and celebrations.

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Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest holiday cookies board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you keep them classic with powdered sugar, or add your own twist with extra almond flavor or chopped nuts?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too, and for more daily recipe inspiration you can find even more ideas on Kitchen By Kate Pinterest.

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