Name: Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks); 1 cup powdered sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice; ½ teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract; 2-4 drops red food coloring (optional); 2–2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup maraschino cherries finely chopped and drained; ¼ cup granulated sugar for rolling; 24 Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped

There's something truly special about these Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond Recipe. Imagine buttery, tender cookies bursting with the sweet tang of maraschino cherries and just a whisper of almond — topped with that iconic Hershey’s Kiss. Trust me, these delicious little bites are a perfect pick-me-up anytime you need a cozy cookie moment.

A white plate with a lacy pattern holds about a dozen pale pink thumbprint cookies, each with a chocolate drop pressed into the center. The cookies have a slightly cracked texture and small bits of red cherries mixed into the pink dough. Bright red cherries with stems are scattered on the plate and on a white marbled surface nearby, along with a few round chocolate pieces. The photo is taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of these cherry blossom cookies. They remind me of festive gatherings with family and friends, but they're quick enough to whip up for a spontaneous afternoon treat.

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The maraschino cherries add a bright pop, while almond extract lends a subtle nutty aroma.
Ease of Preparation: Only about 30 minutes from start to finish – no complicated steps.
Gorgeous Presentation: With their pinkish hue and Hershey’s Kiss on top, they make a beautiful gift or party favor.
Versatile Snack: Ideal for holidays, tea time, or a sweet coffee companion.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start mixing, it helps to gather all the ingredients so you can focus on the fun part of baking. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need and why each element is essential.

Flat lay of a stick of unsalted butter softened, a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar, a pinch of salt crystals scattered neatly, a small white ceramic bowl with vibrant red maraschino cherry juice, a tiny white bowl containing clear almond extract, a few drops of red liquid food coloring in a white ceramic dish, a simple mound of all-purpose flour, finely chopped bright red maraschino cherries piled loosely, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar with sparkling crystals, and uncracked whole Hershey’s Kisses chocolates arranged symmetrically, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter gives the dough a rich, tender crumb and lets you control the saltiness.
Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a delicate texture for these cookies.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
Maraschino Cherry Juice: Adds a sweet, fruity note that infuses the dough with cherry essence.
Almond Extract: Offers that signature nutty fragrance, a perfect match for cherries (vanilla works too if you prefer).
Red Food Coloring (optional): This little drop brings a pretty pink tint reminiscent of cherry blossoms.
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough, with the exact amount adjusted to get just the right softness.
Maraschino Cherries: Finely chopped and drained to avoid excess moisture, they create bursts of flavor within the cookie.
Granulated Sugar: For rolling the dough balls to add a sweet, crunchy outer layer.
Hershey’s Kisses: The finishing touch – pressed into the warm cookies for a melty, chocolatey center.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about the Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to tweak the flavor or adapt it for dietary needs, there are plenty of delicious ways to make this recipe truly your own.

Almond Lover’s Twist: I love enhancing the almond flavor by adding a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted almonds on top of each cookie right after pressing the Hershey’s Kiss. It adds a lovely crunch and deepens the nutty aroma.
Vanilla Substitute: If you’re not a fan of almond extract, swapping it for a high-quality vanilla extract works beautifully and softens the cherry flavor ever so slightly.
Reduced Sugar Version: For a lighter touch, try rolling the dough balls in a mixture of half granulated sugar and half finely ground almond flour. It cuts down on sweetness while adding a delicate texture.
Cherry-Free Variation: Out of maraschino cherries? No worries! Replace them with finely chopped dried cranberries or even chopped frozen raspberries—just make sure they are well drained.
Food Coloring Fun: The red food coloring is entirely optional, but if you want to amp up visuals for a party or holiday, a few drops make these cookies glow with a subtle pink blush that’s hard to resist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond Recipe

The image shows a white decorative plate filled with soft pink cookies that have red cherry bits inside. On top of the pile, two cookies are stacked with the top one broken in half, revealing a smooth, shiny chocolate center inside each half. Each cookie has a rounded shape with a slightly cracked surface and a chocolate drop on top. Bright red cherries with stems are placed around the cookies for decoration. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Space

Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure your cookies bake evenly and won’t stick. This little prep step makes cleanup a breeze!

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Powdered Sugar

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream 1 cup of softened unsalted butter with 1 cup of powdered sugar until the mixture turns light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process usually takes about 2-3 minutes and sets the base for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 3: Add Your Flavor Boosts

Next, stir in ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon of maraschino cherry juice, and ½ teaspoon of almond extract (or vanilla if you prefer). If you want those pretty pink cookies, add 2 to 4 drops of red food coloring now and mix until the color is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Fold in the Flour and Chopped Cherries

Gradually add 2 to 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, mixing gently until a soft dough forms that’s just firm enough to handle—soft but not sticky. Then fold in 1 cup of well-drained, finely chopped maraschino cherries, ensuring every bite has that burst of cherry sweetness.

Step 5: Shape and Sugar-Coat Your Cookies

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them between your palms to form smooth balls. Then, roll each ball in ¼ cup granulated sugar so they get a delicate, sparkling coating that adds a lovely crunch once baked.

Step 6: Bake and Add the Hershey’s Kiss

Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread slightly. Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges turn just lightly golden. As soon as you pull them out of the oven, gently press one unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The warmth will soften the bottom of the kiss slightly, creating a lovely melty finish.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy!

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps keep them tender inside with just a hint of crispness on the edges. Now, get ready to enjoy these beautiful Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond in every bite!

Top Tip

These Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond Recipe are all about balance — flavor, texture, and presentation. Here are some tips I've picked up to make sure each batch turns out just right and as delightful as you hope.

Perfect Dough Consistency: If your dough feels too soft or sticky, chilling it for about 30 minutes before rolling makes shaping much easier and prevents spreading during baking.
Cherry Prep Matters: Make sure the maraschino cherries are drained well and patted dry. Excess moisture can make your dough soggy and affect the texture of the cookies.
Sugar Coating Technique: Rolling each dough ball in granulated sugar before baking adds a lovely sparkle and slight crunch that contrasts wonderfully with the soft cookie.
Immediate Hershey’s Kiss Placement: Press the Kisses into the cookies right out of the oven while they’re still warm; this allows them to slightly melt and adhere perfectly without losing their shape.

How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond Recipe

A clear glass bowl sits in the middle on a pink textured surface, filled with a light beige dough mixture topped with a pile of bright red chopped cherries. To the left of the bowl, there are silver-wrapped candy pieces scattered around and a small container of whole red cherries with stems. A green and white checkered cloth is placed next to the bowl on the right side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These cookies already come beautifully adorned with a Hershey’s Kiss, but you can sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on top for a snowy effect or add edible pink glitter for festive charm. A few almond slivers or finely chopped pistachios scattered nearby on the serving plate can add an elegant touch and complement the almond extract in the dough.

Side Dishes

Cherry Blossom Cookies pair wonderfully with delicate beverages like a light green tea, chamomile, or a floral white tea that won’t overpower their subtle flavors. If you want something heartier, a cup of black coffee or a mild latte works beautifully. For a sweet spread, pairing these cookies with a fresh fruit salad or a bowl of mixed berries keeps things light and fresh.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, store your Cherry Blossom Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and delicious for up to 1 week this way, making them perfect for preparing ahead for gatherings or simply enjoying throughout the week.

Freezing

If you want to keep these beauties longer, freeze them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When freezing, it's best to freeze the cookies after baking and cooling, not as dough, to maintain perfect texture and flavor.

Reheating

When you're ready to enjoy frozen cookies, simply thaw them at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. You can warm them slightly in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes if you prefer a fresh-baked feel. Just be gentle so the Hershey’s Kiss topping doesn’t lose its signature shape.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the almond extract with vanilla extract?

Yes! The recipe allows for either almond or vanilla extract. Using vanilla will give a milder flavor but the cookies will still be delicious.

Why do I need to drain and dry the maraschino cherries?

Maraschino cherries contain syrup that adds moisture. Draining and patting them dry prevents the dough from becoming too wet or sticky, ensuring a perfect texture.

Can I make this recipe without red food coloring?

Absolutely! The red food coloring is optional and mainly adds a pretty pink hue to the dough. The cookies will still be delicious without it.

How long do the cookies last refrigerated?

Stored in an airtight container, these cookies can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, maintaining their moisture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

Baking these Cherry Blossom Cookies with Maraschino and Almond Recipe has been such a joyful experience for me — each bite offers a lovely harmony of buttery, sweet, and fruity flavors with a touch of almond warmth. Whether you’re making them for a holiday, a special occasion, or just an everyday treat, I hope these cookies bring a smile to your face and warmth to your kitchen. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and any fun twists you discover along the way. Happy baking!