Maraschino Cherry Cookies

So here we are, Christmas 2017 is in exactly one week – I can hardly believe it! I’m also quite proud of myself for not indulging in sweet treats nearly as much as I usually do this year. I’ve made some healthy and sugar free treats to grab for when I’m tempted. But I have three little boys who need cookies at Christmas – I mean, I just have to make a few batches for them – and for Santa, too. I’ve actually been making these Maraschino Cherry Cookies for a few years now and I can’t believe it’s been this long without sharing the recipe for these cookies with you!

The original recipe here on Taste of Home (one of my favorite recipe websites that I use for inspiration) was good, but it wasn’t great. I really didn’t like the huge chocolate kiss in the center of the cookie, mainly because the cherry shortbread cookie dough was SO GOOD on it’s own. I wanted to downplay the chocolate a little and take the cherry part up a notch, and these amazing little cookies were born!

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp maraschino cherry juice
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 6 drops red food coloring
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries drained and chopped
• 3/4 cup miniature semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter, powdered sugar, salt, cherry juice, almond extract, and food coloring (if using). Gradually beat in flour.
2. Add in chopped cherries while mixer is on low speed. Remove bowl from mixer and fold in chocolate chips. 
3. ................................

for full recipes please see : www.mostlyhomemademom.com

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