There’s something magical about biting into a cookie that’s bursting with crunchy nuts and sweet cherries, especially around the holidays. That’s exactly the feeling I get from this Christmas Nut Cherries Cookies Recipe — it’s old-fashioned, full of festive cheer, and surprisingly simple to make.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
When I stumbled upon this Christmas Nut Cherries Cookies Recipe tucked away in an old recipe tin, I knew it had to be shared. The combination of buttery dough, crunchy nuts, and vibrant candied cherries is a nostalgic trip back to cozy holiday baking sessions — and it always brings smiles.
- Simple Ingredients: No fuss, just classic pantry staples that blend to create a tender, flavorful cookie.
- Festive Flavors: The cherries add a burst of sweetness and color that screams Christmas in every bite.
- Lovely Texture: Crunchy nuts balance the chewy cherries perfectly, providing a delightful contrast.
- Perfect for Gifting: These cookies hold up well, making them ideal for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients in this Christmas Nut Cherries Cookies Recipe come together in a harmony that creates that classic shortbread-like texture with a festive twist. Each component plays a crucial role in flavor and texture, and picking quality nuts and cherries can take your cookies to the next level.
- Butter: It’s the backbone of the cookie, adding richness and tenderness. I always use unsalted so I can control the salt level.
- Powdered Sugar: This keeps the dough silky smooth and adds a subtle sweetness that melts in your mouth.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together while contributing to the cookie’s structure.
- Vanilla: A little splash brightens the whole dough with a warm, inviting aroma.
- All-purpose Flour: The foundation that gives the cookies their sturdy but tender crumb.
- Chopped Nuts: I love walnuts for a deep, earthy crunch, but pecans work beautifully too.
- Candied Cherries: The star that adds bursts of color and sweetness reminiscent of holiday cheer.
Make It Your Way
This Christmas Nut Cherries Cookies Recipe is my favorite canvas for a little creativity. I often tweak the nuts or cherries depending on what I have on hand — and I encourage you to make it your own too!
- Variation: Once, I swapped half the candied cherries for dried cranberries, giving the cookies a tangy twist that my family adored.
- Nut-Free Version: For nut allergies, sunflower seeds add a nice crunch without compromising texture.
- Chocolate Boost: Adding white chocolate chips makes these cookies extra indulgent and festive.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg brings cozy warmth, ideal for chilly winter days.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Nut Cherries Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by beating the butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. I like using a hand mixer on medium speed. This step is key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture — if you miss beating well enough, your cookies might turn out dense, so don’t rush it!
Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. I usually crack the egg into a smaller bowl first to make sure it’s fresh — plus, it’s easier to avoid shell mishaps that way!
Step 3: Fold in Flour, Nuts, and Cherries
On low speed, gradually mix in the flour, chopped nuts, and candied cherries. The dough should come together without being overworked — over-mixing can make cookies tough. Stop as soon as everything is incorporated.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two logs and wrap each tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about an hour. I find chilling makes slicing neat rounds so much easier and keeps the cherries from bleeding into the dough.
Step 5: Slice and Bake
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Slice the chilled dough into ¼-inch thick rounds and place them spaced on a baking sheet. Bake for 13-15 minutes until the edges are set and just starting to turn golden — watch carefully so they don’t overbrown!
Top Tip
From my experience, these tips can really make the difference between good cookies and unforgettable ones.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: The dough is soft, so chilling firms it up. This step prevents spreading and keeps cherries intact.
- Use Fresh Cherries: I prefer high-quality candied cherries to avoid overly sweet or sticky results.
- Watch Your Oven: Every oven heats differently, so start checking at 12 minutes to avoid burning the edges.
- Slice Carefully: A sharp knife or dental floss works wonders for smooth slices — bashing the edges can crumple the dough.
How to Serve Christmas Nut Cherries Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually dust these cookies lightly with powdered sugar before serving — it adds a snowy, festive touch. Sometimes I add a little drizzle of white chocolate for extra flair at parties.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced tea or classic eggnog. If you’re setting up a Christmas cookie platter, they complement gingerbread and sugar cookies beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I like stacking them in decorative tins lined with parchment paper, tied with festive ribbons. You can also arrange them in a wreath shape on a large serving plate for a fun centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Christmas Nut Cherries Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to a week, but honestly, they rarely last past a couple of days in my house!
Freezing
You can freeze the dough logs wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When ready, just thaw in the fridge overnight and slice before baking. This way, you can enjoy fresh cookies anytime during the season.
Reheating
To warm up baked cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes, or microwave them for 10 seconds. This refreshes their softness without drying them out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Walnuts and pecans are classic, but almonds or hazelnuts will work too — just chop them into small pieces for even baking.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freezing the baked cookies in an airtight container preserves freshness well.
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that’s a 1:1 replacement. Just note that texture may vary slightly, but the flavors stay delicious.
Chilling is highly recommended because it makes slicing easier and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip it but expect a bit more spreading.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Christmas Nut Cherries Cookies Recipe has become one of my holiday go-tos because it’s effortless and reliably delicious. It's like a little festive hug in cookie form that you can share with anyone. I hope you enjoy baking and savoring these as much as I do — there’s a reason this one’s stuck around in my recipe box for years!
Print
Christmas Nut Cherries Cookies 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 buttery, nutty, and studded with festive candied cherries, perfect for holiday celebrations. These classic cookies combine a tender dough with chopped nuts and colorful cherries for a delightful treat that is both visually appealing and delicious.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 2 cups candied cherries
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Cream together the butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth texture for the dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla thoroughly to combine evenly throughout the mixture.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Fruits: On low speed, gently mix in the all-purpose flour, chopped nuts, and candied cherries until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Roll the dough into two logs, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up for easier slicing.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Slice and Bake: Slice the chilled dough into rounds about ¼-inch thick, place them spaced on a baking sheet, and bake for 13-15 minutes until the edges have set and the cookies are just barely golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive Christmas cookies!
Notes
- For best results, make sure the butter is at room temperature before creaming.
- Chilling the dough logs is crucial to achieve thin, even slices without distortion.
- You can substitute walnuts or pecans for the chopped nuts according to your preference.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the dough logs cleanly to avoid crumbling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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