Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies

Imagine biting into a perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie with hints of sweet cherry and aromatic almond. These Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies deliver an irresistible combination of old-fashioned comfort and modern flavor that’s impossible to resist. The Amish have perfected the art of creating exceptionally soft, pillowy sugar cookies that stay fresh for days, and this cherry almond variation takes that tradition to new heights. You’ll learn how to create these delightful treats with their signature crackly tops and buttery texture that will have everyone asking for your secret recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies are about to become your new favorite for several compelling reasons. First, they strike the perfect balance between pillowy-soft centers and slightly crisp edges, creating that ideal cookie texture contrast that keeps you reaching for just one more. The subtle cherry flavor pairs beautifully with the warm notes of almond extract, creating a sophisticated flavor profile without being overwhelming.

What truly sets these Amish sugar cookies apart is their incredible staying power – they remain soft and fresh for up to a week when properly stored, making them perfect for gift-giving or preparing ahead for gatherings. The recipe is also refreshingly straightforward with no complicated techniques; there’s no chilling required, and they spread perfectly every time without special equipment.

The beautiful pale pink hue with tiny flecks of cherry throughout makes these cookies as visually appealing as they are delicious. These cherry almond cookies offer a unique twist on traditional Amish sugar cookies that will impress both cookie connoisseurs and casual snackers alike.

Ingredients

For these delectable Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies, you’ll need:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (198g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 cup (198g) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 cups (562g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup (100g) maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup (50g) sliced almonds, lightly toasted and chopped (optional)
• Additional granulated sugar for rolling

The maraschino cherries provide that signature sweet cherry flavor and pretty pink color throughout the dough. For the most pronounced almond flavor, use a high-quality pure almond extract rather than imitation. The combination of both granulated and powdered sugars is crucial for achieving the perfect Amish sugar cookie texture.

Pro Tips

Ingredient Temperature Matters: The key to perfectly textured Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies lies in having your butter properly softened (but not melted) and eggs at room temperature. This ensures the fat and sugar cream together properly, creating that signature light, tender crumb. Set these ingredients out at least 30 minutes before beginning.

Pat Dry Those Cherries: After draining your maraschino cherries, take the extra step of patting them dry with paper towels and then chopping them. Excess moisture can throw off the cookie’s texture, making them spread unpredictably. This simple step ensures your cherry almond cookies maintain their perfect shape.

The Perfect Scoop: For bakery-worthy cookies with consistent size and baking time, use a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons). After scooping, roll the dough balls in your hands to create a perfectly smooth surface, then roll in granulated sugar. This creates that characteristic crackly top as the cookies bake and expand, giving authentic Amish sugar cookies their distinctive appearance.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly, pat them dry with paper towels, then finely chop them. Set aside.

Step 2: Cream Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Don’t rush this step – proper creaming incorporates air into your Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies for that perfect texture. Add the vegetable oil and continue beating until well incorporated. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the almond and vanilla extracts.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. The dough will be somewhat soft.

Step 4: Add Cherries and Almonds
Gently fold in the chopped cherries and toasted almonds (if using) with a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough. The dough will take on a slight pink hue from the cherries.

Step 5: Shape and Bake
Place some granulated sugar in a small bowl. Scoop out dough using a cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons per cookie), roll into balls, then roll each ball in the granulated sugar to coat completely. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just set but the centers still appear soft. The cookies shouldn’t brown much – a slight golden edge is perfect. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Variations

White Chocolate Cherry Almond: Transform these Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies by adding 3/4 cup of white chocolate chips to the dough along with the cherries. After the cookies cool, drizzle them with melted white chocolate for an extra layer of sweetness and visual appeal that perfectly complements the cherry almond flavor.

Gluten-Free Option: For those with gluten sensitivities, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already contain it to maintain the cookies’ structure and texture. The results are nearly indistinguishable from the original version.

Lemon Cherry Version: Swap the almond extract for 1 teaspoon of lemon extract and add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon zest to the dough. This creates a bright, citrusy variation that enhances the cherry flavor in a completely different but equally delicious way. The lemon-cherry combination offers a refreshing twist on these classic Amish sugar cookies.

Storage and Serving

These Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies maintain their soft, fresh texture for up to 7 days when stored properly. Place them in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread to help retain moisture. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months – simply thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them.

For an elegant serving suggestion, place these pretty pink cookies on a tiered serving platter alongside fresh cherries and toasted almonds for a themed presentation. They pair wonderfully with a cup of hot almond milk tea or coffee.

Transform these cookies into an impressive dessert by using them as the base for an ice cream sandwich – vanilla bean or cherry ice cream works particularly well. Just sandwich a small scoop between two cookies and roll the edges in chopped toasted almonds for a show-stopping treat.

FAQs

Why did my cookies spread too much?
This typically happens if your butter was too warm or melted. Make sure it’s just softened, not melty. Also, ensure you’re properly measuring your flour – too little can cause spreading. If your dough feels very soft, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before baking your Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino?
Fresh cherries have significantly more moisture and less concentrated flavor. For best results, stick with maraschino cherries or try using freeze-dried cherries that have been lightly rehydrated and chopped.

Why are these called Amish sugar cookies?
Amish sugar cookies are known for their exceptionally soft texture, simple ingredients, and the combination of both vegetable oil and butter that gives them their characteristic melt-in-your-mouth quality. This recipe adds cherry and almond flavors to that traditional base.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before shaping and baking.

Do I have to roll these in sugar?
Rolling in sugar is optional but recommended for authentic Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies. It creates their signature crackly top and adds a pleasant slight crunch to the exterior.

Conclusion

These Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies are comfort food at its finest — pillowy-soft with bright cherry notes and warm almond undertones that transport you to a simpler time. They’re the kind of cookies that disappear from cookie jars mysteriously fast and create moments of pure joy with each bite. Whether you’re making them for a holiday cookie exchange, weekend treat, or just because you deserve something special, these cherry almond cookies carry on the Amish tradition of creating simple yet utterly irresistible baked goods that bring people together.

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