🎉 Introduction

These Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, sweet, and packed with festive color. The rich shortbread base melts in your mouth, while bright red maraschino cherries and mini chocolate chips add bursts of flavor and holiday cheer. They’re simple, elegant, and incredibly easy to make with pantry ingredients. Perfect for Christmas cookie boxes, gifting, holiday parties, or cozy winter baking, these cookies deliver buttery richness, cherry sweetness, and a beautiful Christmas look.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

• 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup Powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt

Mix-Ins

• 1/2 cup Maraschino cherries, chopped and patted dry
• 1/2 cup Mini chocolate chips

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Sharp knife
• Cooling rack
• Paper towels (for drying cherries)

👩‍🍳 Directions (Form-Steps Style)

🔹 PART 1 — PREP THE DOUGH

Step 1 — Preheat the Oven

• Preheat to 325°F (163°C).
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2 — Cream Butter & Sugar

• Add softened butter to bowl.
• Beat until creamy and pale.
• Add powdered sugar.
• Beat until smooth and fluffy.

This creates the classic shortbread texture.

Step 3 — Add Vanilla Extract

• Mix in vanilla until fully combined.

Step 4 — Combine Dry Ingredients

• In another bowl whisk flour and salt.
• Slowly add dry mixture to the butter mixture.
• Mix until a soft dough forms.

Shortbread dough will be thick—this is normal.

🔹 PART 2 — ADD CHERRIES & CHIPS

Step 5 — Prep the Cherries

• Chop maraschino cherries into small pieces.
• Place on paper towels to remove excess liquid.

Important: Dry cherries well to avoid streaking or spreading.

Step 6 — Fold in Mix-Ins

• Add chopped cherries.
• Add mini chocolate chips.
• Fold gently with spatula.

Color will spread slightly—this gives a festive look.

🔹 PART 3 — SHAPE THE COOKIES

Step 7 — Shape Into a Log or Scoop

Option A — Slice-and-Bake

• Form dough into a log about 2 inches thick.
• Wrap in plastic wrap.
• Chill 20–30 minutes.
• Slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds.

Option B — Drop Cookies

• Scoop 1 tablespoon dough.
• Roll gently into balls.
• Flatten slightly.

Both methods work beautifully.

🔹 PART 4 — BAKE

Step 8 — Bake

• Bake 12–15 minutes.
• Edges should stay pale, centers set.

Shortbread should NOT brown heavily.

Step 9 — Cool Completely

• Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes.
• Transfer to cooling rack.

They firm up as they cool.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Makes: 22–28 cookies
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Chill Time: 20 minutes (optional)
• Bake Time: 12–15 minutes
• Total Time: ~45 minutes

🧊 Storage

Room Temperature

• Store airtight for 5–6 days.

Refrigerator

• Keeps 7–8 days.

Freezer (Baked)

• Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months.

Freezer (Dough)

• Freeze dough log up to 3 months.

🥄 Variations

1. White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread

Replace mini chocolate chips with white chocolate chips.

2. Almond Cherry Shortbread

Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.

3. Chocolate-Dipped Cherry Shortbread

Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate.

4. Pink Cherry Shortbread

Add a drop of red food coloring for blush-tinted dough.

5. Cherry Coconut Shortbread

Add 1/4 cup shredded coconut.

6. Sprinkle Cherry Cookies

Fold in Christmas sprinkles for extra color.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Why did my cookies spread too much?

Cherries weren’t dried well — always remove excess moisture.

2. Why is my dough crumbly?

Not mixed enough — keep mixing until dough comes together.

3. Can I use salted butter?

Yes — reduce added salt to a pinch.

4. Can I use frozen cherries?

No — too much moisture for shortbread.

5. Can kids eat these?

Yes — completely alcohol-free and kid-friendly.

6. Can I double the recipe?

Yes — shortbread doubles easily.

7. Why do the cookies look pale?

Shortbread should not brown — pale means perfect.

8. Can I shape them into hearts or stars?

Yes — use cookie cutters with chilled dough.

9. Can I add nuts?

Yes — chopped almonds or pecans work well.

10. Why are they dry?

Overbaking — remove from oven when edges look set.

🏁 Conclusion

These Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are festive, buttery, and packed with cheerful holiday color. The melt-in-your-mouth shortbread is perfectly complemented by sweet cherries and mini chocolate chips, creating a cookie that’s both elegant and fun. Whether you’re filling cookie tins, gifting homemade treats, or baking for loved ones, these cookies bring holiday cheer, rich flavor, and beautiful color to every bite. A Christmas cookie box essential!

Adam

Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies – Soft, Buttery & Festive

These Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, sweet, and packed with festive color. The rich shortbread base melts in your mouth, while bright red maraschino cherries and mini chocolate chips add bursts of flavor and holiday cheer. They’re simple, elegant, and incredibly easy to make with pantry ingredients. Perfect for Christmas cookie boxes, gifting, holiday parties, or cozy winter baking, these cookies deliver buttery richness, cherry sweetness, and a beautiful Christmas look.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

bake & Chill Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 28 cookies

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Cookie Dough

• 1 cup Unsalted butter softened
• 1/2 cup Powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt

Mix-Ins

• 1/2 cup Maraschino cherries chopped and patted dry
• 1/2 cup Mini chocolate chips

✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love

Quick picks I trust for better results, faster prep, and easier cleanup.

• 🍳

  Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

  View ↗
• ⚡

  Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric

  View ↗
• 🔥

  CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L

  View ↗

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Sharp knife
• Cooling rack
• Paper towels (for drying cherries)

Method

 

1. 🔹 PART 1 — PREP THE DOUGH

Step 1 — Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat to 325°F (163°C).
2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2 — Cream Butter & Sugar

1. Add softened butter to bowl.
2. Beat until creamy and pale.
3. Add powdered sugar.
4. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
5. This creates the classic shortbread texture.

Step 3 — Add Vanilla Extract

1. Mix in vanilla until fully combined.

Step 4 — Combine Dry Ingredients

1. In another bowl whisk flour and salt.
2. Slowly add dry mixture to the butter mixture.
3. Mix until a soft dough forms.
4. Shortbread dough will be thick—this is normal.
5. 🔹 PART 2 — ADD CHERRIES & CHIPS

Step 5 — Prep the Cherries

1. Chop maraschino cherries into small pieces.
2. Place on paper towels to remove excess liquid.
3. Important: Dry cherries well to avoid streaking or spreading.

Step 6 — Fold in Mix-Ins

1. Add chopped cherries.
2. Add mini chocolate chips.
3. Fold gently with spatula.
4. Color will spread slightly—this gives a festive look.
5. 🔹 PART 3 — SHAPE THE COOKIES

Step 7 — Shape Into a Log or Scoop

1. Option A — Slice-and-Bake
2. Form dough into a log about 2 inches thick.
3. Wrap in plastic wrap.
4. Chill 20–30 minutes.
5. Slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
6. Option B — Drop Cookies
7. Scoop 1 tablespoon dough.
8. Roll gently into balls.
9. Flatten slightly.
10. Both methods work beautifully.
11. 🔹 PART 4 — BAKE

Step 8 — Bake

1. Bake 12–15 minutes.
2. Edges should stay pale, centers set.
3. Shortbread should NOT brown heavily.

Step 9 — Cool Completely

1. Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes.
2. Transfer to cooling rack.
3. They firm up as they cool.

Notes

🧊 Storage
Room Temperature

Store airtight for 5–6 days.

Refrigerator

Keeps 7–8 days.

Freezer (Baked)

Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months.

Freezer (Dough)

Freeze dough log up to 3 months.

🥄 Variations
1. White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread

Replace mini chocolate chips with white chocolate chips.

2. Almond Cherry Shortbread

Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.

3. Chocolate-Dipped Cherry Shortbread

Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate.

4. Pink Cherry Shortbread

Add a drop of red food coloring for blush-tinted dough.

5. Cherry Coconut Shortbread

Add 1/4 cup shredded coconut.

6. Sprinkle Cherry Cookies

Fold in Christmas sprinkles for extra color.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why did my cookies spread too much?

Cherries weren’t dried well — always remove excess moisture.

2. Why is my dough crumbly?

Not mixed enough — keep mixing until dough comes together.

3. Can I use salted butter?

Yes — reduce added salt to a pinch.

4. Can I use frozen cherries?

No — too much moisture for shortbread.

5. Can kids eat these?

Yes — completely alcohol-free and kid-friendly.

6. Can I double the recipe?

Yes — shortbread doubles easily.

7. Why do the cookies look pale?

Shortbread should not brown — pale means perfect.

8. Can I shape them into hearts or stars?

Yes — use cookie cutters with chilled dough.

9. Can I add nuts?

Yes — chopped almonds or pecans work well.

10. Why are they dry?

Overbaking — remove from oven when edges look set.

🏁 Conclusion

These Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies are festive, buttery, and packed with cheerful holiday color. The melt-in-your-mouth shortbread is perfectly complemented by sweet cherries and mini chocolate chips, creating a cookie that’s both elegant and fun. Whether you’re filling cookie tins, gifting homemade treats, or baking for loved ones, these cookies bring holiday cheer, rich flavor, and beautiful color to every bite. A Christmas cookie box essential!