There’s something truly comforting about a Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe that brings both tradition and cheerful flavors to your holiday table. This recipe combines buttery dough, sweet candied cherries, and crunchy nuts into small bites of festive joy—perfect for sharing or savoring quietly with a cup of tea.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I first stumbled on this Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe while digging through an old recipe tin, and it instantly became a seasonal staple. It’s that kind of cookie that feels homey and classic yet always has a little surprise in every bite thanks to the cherries and nuts. Trust me, once you get these in the oven, the house starts smelling like a holiday dream.
- Perfect Balance: The sweetness of the cherries contrasts beautifully with the buttery dough and the crunch of nuts.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your pantry, so it’s easy to whip up last minute.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Chilling the dough helps the flavors meld and makes slicing a breeze for neat cookies.
- Classic Holiday Feel: These cookies bring nostalgia and festive cheer to every celebration.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe plays a special role. The butter and powdered sugar create that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Flour holds it all together, while the chopped nuts add crunch and depth. Finally, those bright candied cherries are the festive pop of color and sugary sweetness that make these cookies stand out.
- Butter: Using real butter—not margarine—makes all the difference for flavor and texture.
- Powdered sugar: This helps keep the dough light and tender, unlike granulated sugar which can be grainy.
- Egg: Binds everything, adds richness, and helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract brings warmth and rounds out the flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the right structure—too much flour and the cookies get tough.
- Chopped nuts: Walnuts or pecans work beautifully, adding a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
- Candied cherries: Sweet, chewy, and festive, they’re the star ingredient that really jazzes up the cookie.
Make It Your Way
One of the joys of this Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe is how easy it is to tweak depending on your taste or what you have on hand. I love experimenting with different nuts or even adding a hint of cinnamon for a warm, spicy twist. You can totally make this your own little holiday tradition.
- Variation: I often swap half the chopped nuts for dried cranberries for a tangy twist that pairs wonderfully with the cherries.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe
Step 1: Cream that Butter and Sugar
Start by softening your butter to room temperature so it blends easily. Beat the butter and powdered sugar together until it’s fluffy and smooth—this is the base of your cookie that creates a tender crumb. Make sure to really cream it well; I use a stand mixer because it saves time, but a hand mixer works great too.
Step 2: Mix in the Egg and Vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract to your creamed mixture and beat until fully combined. This step adds richness and a lovely aroma. If your egg is cold, give it a quick whisk before adding to keep the dough consistent.
Step 3: Fold in Flour, Nuts, and Cherries Gently
Switch your mixer to low and slowly add the flour, chopped nuts, and candied cherries. You want to combine everything just enough so the dry ingredients disappear, but don’t overwork the dough or it can get tough. The cherries can be sticky, so folding them in by hand at the end works too.
Step 4: Chill the Dough Logs
Shape the dough into two even logs and wrap each tightly in plastic wrap. Pop them in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step helps the dough firm up and makes slicing easier, plus it lets the flavors mingle. If you want, you can even prepare these a day ahead—perfect for a relaxed baking day.
Step 5: Slice and Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Using a sharp knife, slice the dough into rounds about ¼-inch thick. Place the cookies spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 13–15 minutes until the edges just set and turn a light golden color—don’t let them get too brown, or you’ll lose that delicate texture. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Top Tip
From my many holiday baking sessions, I’ve learned a few tips that can truly elevate this Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe to the next level. These tricks will help you get consistent results and keep the process fun and stress-free.
- Use Room Temperature Butter: Starting with softened butter makes creaming smoother and the dough easier to work.
- Don’t Overmix: Overworking the dough leads to tougher cookies, so fold the nuts and cherries in gently and just until combined.
- Chill Twice if Needed: If your dough feels too sticky to slice after the first chill, pop it back in the fridge for an extra 30 minutes.
- Watch the Baking Time: Baking just until edges are set helps keep these cookies tender, so keep an eye during that last few minutes.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish these cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar—it gives them that snowy holiday look and adds a gentle sweetness. For special occasions, a drizzle of melted white chocolate adds a beautiful contrast and indulgent touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced tea, mulled wine, or a rich hot chocolate. On Christmas morning, I love to serve them alongside a fresh fruit platter to balance the richness with some natural brightness.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, I usually stack these cookies in a pretty tin lined with festive paper and tie it with a cheerful ribbon. At parties, laying them out on a wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine adds a rustic holiday charm that guests always notice.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering them with parchment paper to avoid sticking. They stay fresh and tender like the day I baked them for up to a week if kept properly.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead for the holidays, these cookies freeze beautifully. Freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you're ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature—just like fresh!
Reheating
To refresh the cookies after storing or freezing, pop a few in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes. This brings back their slight crispness and soft center perfectly—no microwave needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! I’ve used walnuts, pecans, and even almonds with great results. Just make sure to chop them evenly for consistent texture.
Yes, dried cranberries work well and add a tart note that contrasts nicely with the sweet dough. The texture will be a bit different, but still delicious.
I recommend using a sharp, serrated knife to gently saw through the chilled logs. Chilling them well first helps keep the slices clean without squashing the dough.
Definitely! After forming the dough logs and wrapping them tightly, freeze for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before slicing and baking as usual.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s tied to cozy afternoons spent baking with loved ones. Its simplicity and festive flavor make it perfect for holiday gifting or just treating yourself to a nostalgic delight. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these cookies as much as I do—it’s one of those recipes that just feels like home.
Print
Christmas Cookie Recipe with Cherries and Nuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Ann Roger's Christmas Cookies are a delightful holiday treat featuring a buttery dough studded with chopped nuts and vibrant candied cherries. These thin, golden cookies are perfect for festive gatherings and gift-giving, offering a tender texture with a sweet, nutty flavor.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 2 cups candied cherries
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly, blending well to combine all wet ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Mix-ins: On low speed, gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, chopped nuts, and candied cherries until just combined, taking care not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Form Dough Logs: Divide the dough into two equal parts and roll each into a log shape. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up for easier slicing.
- Preheat Oven: When the dough is ready, preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) to ensure it reaches the correct baking temperature.
- Slice and Bake: Remove the chilled dough logs from the refrigerator and slice into ¼-inch thick rounds. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the edges are set and the cookies are just barely golden, indicating they are perfectly cooked but still tender inside.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive Christmas cookies!
Notes
- Chilling the dough logs is essential for easier slicing and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- You can use a mixture of nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds depending on preference.
- For a festive touch, you can add a sprinkle of powdered sugar on cooled cookies before serving.
- If candied cherries are too large, chop them slightly to ensure even distribution in the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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