Introducing Festive Cherryettes, a delightful Christmas cookie recipe that’s sure to become a favorite in your household! 🎄 These delectable treats, reminiscent of shortbread cookies, hold a special place in my heart as they are my dad’s absolute favorite during the holiday season. And guess what? Despite my aversion to nuts, you won’t even notice them in these cookies! I’ve finely ground the pecans to seamlessly incorporate their flavor without overpowering the cookie.
Now, let’s dive into the recipe and spread some festive cheer in the kitchen! With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a total time of 35 minutes, you’ll have these goodies ready to enjoy in no time.
Festive Cherryettes Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup shortening
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup pecans, finely ground
- 20 maraschino cherries, halved
Instructions:
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Blend Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, blend together the shortening, butter, salt, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined and creamy.
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Incorporate Flour and Pecans: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and finely ground pecans to the mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
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Chill Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for easier handling.
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Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease your cookie sheets to prevent sticking.
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Shape Dough: Take out the chilled dough and measure out level tablespoonfuls. Roll each portion between the palms of your hands to form round balls.
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Arrange on Sheets: Place the formed dough balls onto the greased cookie sheets, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
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Make Indentations: Using a thimble or your thumb, press a small indentation into the center of each cookie.
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Add Cherries: Top each cookie with half of a maraschino cherry, gently pressing it into the indentation.
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Bake: Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges.
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Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy the festive goodness!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 93.4
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.9g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
- Sodium: 66.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 6.7g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Sugar: 1.7g
- Protein: 0.9g
Recipe Yield:
This recipe makes approximately 40 Festive Cherryettes, perfect for sharing with family and friends or for gifting during the holiday season.
With their buttery, nutty flavor and a burst of sweetness from the cherries, Festive Cherryettes are bound to become a beloved addition to your Christmas baking traditions. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up some festive magic!
