Ah, the holidays! A time filled with twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and, of course, irresistible treats. Every year, as the festive season rolls in, the aroma of baking fills my home, bringing back warm memories of my childhood. I remember baking cookies with my grandmother in her tiny kitchen, where we’d giggle and get flour everywhere while crafting our little masterpieces. One of our favorite creations was always her delicious Cherry Kiss Cookies. These delightful little gems are not just cookies; they are bursts of joy and sweetness wrapped in a candy-cane bow. Today, I can’t wait to share this easy holiday favorite recipe with you all—Cherry Kiss Cookies!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super easy to make—perfect for baking novices and pros alike!
Bright cherry flavor adds a festive touch to your holiday spread.
The combination of soft cookie and gooey cherry center is simply irresistible.
These cookies travel well, so they’re great for gift giving!
A delightful twist on classic thumbprint cookies!

Ingredients

Let’s gather our ingredients so we can get to baking! Here’s what you’ll need:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened (make sure it’s really soft for easy mixing)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (the real stuff is best, trust me!)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup cherry preserves (or your favorite fruity jam)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for garnish after baking)

Just a little note: using good-quality cherry preserves really elevates the flavor, making those cookies sing!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s dive into the action and bake these delightful Cherry Kiss Cookies. Follow along, and I promise you’ll be snacking in no time!

Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while we whip up the cookie dough. This ensures the cookies bake evenly when we pop them in!
Mix the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes. You want to see that lovely pale color in there!
Add the egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Just keep mixing until everything’s blended nicely.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this mixture into the butter mixture, stirring until it forms a soft dough. Don’t overmix; just stir until there are no dry bits of flour left!
Shape the cookies: Roll the dough into one-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some space between them; we don’t want cookie blobs!
Create a divot: Now, here’s the fun part! Use your thumb (or the back of a little measuring spoon) to make an indentation in the center of each dough ball. Do it gently because we want that divot to hold our cherry goodness!
Fill with preserves: Add about a teaspoon of cherry preserves to each indented cookie. Don’t be shy—the more, the merrier!
Bake: Pop those lovelies into your preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just turning a lovely golden color. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!
Cool the cookies: Once they’re out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Dust with powdered sugar: Once cool, dust the cookies with a sprinkle of powdered sugar to add a festive touch!

So there you have it—your very own batch of Cherry Kiss Cookies! They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with sweet cherry flavor. Just be careful; one bite might lead to another!

Pro Tips & Variations

Want to make your Cherry Kiss Cookies even more special? Here are a few playful twists you can try:

Change the flavor: Switch out cherry preserves for raspberry, apricot, or even chocolate spread if you want a completely different vibe!
Add nuts: Fold in some finely chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts for extra crunch and flavor.
Spice it up: A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg can add a warm holiday flair!
Drizzle: Consider drizzling melted white or dark chocolate over the cooled cookies for an elegant touch.

In any case, feel free to get creative and make these cookies your own! That’s what baking is all about—having fun and doing a little experimenting.

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to serving Your Cherry Kiss Cookies, the possibilities are endless! Here’s how I envision it:

Pair them with a steaming cup of cocoa or spiced chai tea for a cozy treat.
Perfect for a dessert table during your holiday gatherings—just set them out on a festive platter!
Wrap them up as thoughtful gifts for neighbors or friends. Who wouldn’t love to receive these little treasures?
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful cookie à la mode twist.

Trust me, wherever you decide to serve them, they won’t last long!

Storage Tips

Great news! These cookies store beautifully! Here’s how to keep them fresh:

Room temperature: Store your Cherry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Just ensure they’re fully cooled before sealing!
Refrigeration: You can refrigerate them if you want a longer shelf life, but they may dry out a bit. Just make sure to keep them in an airtight container.
Freezing: These cookies freeze well! Layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Simply thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheat: If you prefer them warm, give them a quick zap in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. They’ll be just as delightful!

FAQs

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While butter gives the best flavor and texture, you can use margarine if that’s what you have on hand. Just know that it may slightly alter the taste and feel of the cookies.

What if I don’t have cherry preserves?

No worries! You can swap in your favorite jam or even use a homemade fruit syrup if you’re feeling adventurous.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The edges should be golden, and the cookies will appear set but still soft in the center. Keep an eye on them, as every oven varies slightly!

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the dough, roll it into balls, and freeze them. Just bake them straight from the freezer—add a minute or two to the baking time.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

If you’d like to make these gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. They should turn out delicious!

Conclusion

I hope you feel inspired to whip up a batch (or two) of these Cherry Kiss Cookies this holiday season! They’re loaded with charm, flavor, and a bit of nostalgia, just like those precious moments we spent baking in my grandmother’s kitchen. I would love to hear how your cookies turn out, so feel free to drop a comment below or share your own baking stories! Here’s to sweet memories and even sweeter treats—happy baking, friend!