Description
Sweet, crumbly Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies promise pure comfort from traditional Pennsylvania kitchens. Rich almond notes and tart cherry hints create an irresistible blend you’ll crave with afternoon tea or midnight snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 12 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
Flour and Leavening Agents:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Flavor and Garnish Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/2 cup coarse sugar (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring an even surface for cookie placement.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Using a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Incorporate egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the butter mixture, blending until the ingredients are fully integrated.
- Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing gently to prevent overworking the dough and maintain a tender texture.
- Gently fold chopped cherries and almonds into the cookie dough, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 1 inch apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Lightly flatten each cookie with the back of a spoon and optionally sprinkle with coarse sugar for added texture and sweetness.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges as an indication of doneness.
- Remove from oven and let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
Notes
- Enhance the almond flavor by toasting almonds before chopping, which releases their rich, nutty essence and adds a deeper complexity to the cookies.
- Replace fresh cherries with dried cherries for a more concentrated sweet-tart burst and easier mixing without adding extra moisture to the dough.
- Adjust the texture by chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, which helps prevent spreading and creates a more compact, tender cookie.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these delightful treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 146 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg