There’s something utterly nostalgic and heartwarming about baking these delightful treats just before the holidays. The **Christmas Cherry Nut Cookies Recipe** brings a wonderful mix of sweet cherries and crunchy nuts that instantly fills your kitchen with cozy, festive vibes. Trust me, these cookies have been a beloved tradition in my family, and once you try them, you’ll see why.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
The magic of this Christmas Cherry Nut Cookies Recipe isn’t just in the flavor, but also in its simplicity and charm. It’s one of those recipes that instantly transports you to cozy afternoons near the tree, sipping hot cocoa while the scent of butter, cherries, and nuts fills the air. I love how easy it is to make yet so impressive in taste.
- Perfect Holiday Flavor: The mix of candied cherries and nuts gives a festive, tangy crunch in every bite.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your kitchen, making it a stress-free bake.
- Great for Gifting: These cookies hold their shape, look beautiful, and wrap up nicely for holiday presents.
- Family Favorite: It’s a recipe that both kids and adults look forward to year after year at my house.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe blends buttery, sweet, and chewy textures that complement each other beautifully. When shopping, picking fresh nuts and good-quality candied cherries can really elevate the final cookie.
- Butter: The base of the dough, giving richness and tender crumb. Use unsalted for better control of salt level.
- Powdered sugar: Helps create a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture without graininess.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla: Just a teaspoon boosts the flavor complexity, rounding out the sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the cookies; be sure to spoon and level for accuracy.
- Chopped nuts: Traditionally walnuts or pecans work great here for crunch and earthy flavor.
- Candied cherries: These sweet bites add beautiful festive color and a pleasantly chewy contrast.
Make It Your Way
This Christmas Cherry Nut Cookies Recipe really invites you to get creative. I like to tweak the nuts or cherries depending on what I have around or the flavor profile I want to highlight.
- Variation: I once swapped candied cherries for dried cranberries, and it gave the cookies a slightly tangier touch that my guests loved.
- Nut Alternatives: Pecans, almonds, or even hazelnuts can be swapped in — just toast them lightly for added depth.
- Gluten-Free: Try using a gluten-free flour blend; just keep an eye on dough consistency—it might need a little extra binding.
- Extra Festive: Sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top before baking for a sparkling finish that impresses every time.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cherry Nut Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar
Start by beating the butter and powdered sugar together. I find that using room temperature butter helps speed this process up and gives you a light, fluffy base. Take your time here—it really makes a difference for the cookie texture.
Step 2: Mixing in Egg and Vanilla
Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. This adds moisture and flavor, so scrape down the bowl as you mix to get every bit incorporated.
Step 3: Adding Flour, Nuts, and Cherries
On low speed, gently fold in the flour, chopped nuts, and candied cherries. Resist the urge to overmix—just combine until the ingredients come together. Overworking the dough can make the cookies tough, which you want to avoid.
Step 4: Chilling the Dough
Divide the dough into two logs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for about an hour. I've found this helps the dough firm up so you get neat slices that bake evenly. Sometimes I pop mine in the freezer if I'm short on time, for about 20 minutes.
Step 5: Slicing and Baking
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Slice the chilled logs into ¼-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment, spacing them evenly. Bake for 13-15 minutes until the edges barely start turning golden but the centers still feel slightly soft. This subtle timing means your cookies stay tender inside while crisping up outside.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve baked this recipe dozens of times, and a few key things always make the difference between good cookies and great cookies. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Use Room Temperature Butter: It creams better with powdered sugar to give the dough a lighter texture.
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough firms it up, making slicing easier and helping the cookies hold their shape.
- Slice Consistently: Aim for ¼-inch thickness so cookies bake evenly and have that perfect bite.
- Watch the Oven: Take them out just as edges turn golden—the centers continue to set as they cool.
How to Serve Christmas Cherry Nut Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love dusting these cookies lightly with extra powdered sugar before serving—it makes them look snowy and festive. Sometimes I press a small piece of extra candied cherry on the top right after baking for an eye-catching pop of color.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with hot beverages like spiced tea or a rich cup of coffee. At holiday gatherings, I often arrange them on a platter alongside cheese, nuts, and fresh fruit for a festive cookie and snack display.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting or parties, stack the cookies with wax paper in between layers inside a decorative tin or wrap them in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon. I once made a cookie wreath by arranging these in a circle on a serving board, adding sprigs of rosemary and cranberries for a fresh holiday look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering them between parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They usually stay fresh for about a week, but they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
For bulk baking, I freeze the cookie logs before slicing. Wrapped well, they last up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to bake, just slice from frozen and add a couple extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
If your cookies lose a bit of their crispness, warming them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes brings back the just-baked feel and aroma. Just watch closely so they don’t overbake.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts are delicious substitutes. Just make sure to chop and toast them lightly for the best flavor and texture.
Chilling the dough is key—it firms it up so it holds its shape during baking. Also, slice the dough logs evenly and avoid overmixing the flour into the dough to keep the texture just right.
Yes! Chilling the dough overnight or even freezing the logs works wonderfully. Just thaw slightly before slicing to get clean, even rounds.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They keep well for up to a week and can be gently warmed before serving to refresh the texture.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cherry Nut Cookies Recipe is truly a gem that brings warmth and sweetness to the holidays. Baking these cookies has created so many happy memories for me, and I hope they do the same for you. Give them a try this season — I’m confident they’ll become a new favorite tradition in your kitchen, just like they are in mine.
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Christmas Cherry Nut 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 delightful buttery treats featuring chopped nuts and vibrant candied cherries. These traditional cookies are rolled into logs, chilled, sliced, and baked until just golden. Perfect for holiday celebrations and gifting.
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: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Thoroughly mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: On low speed, gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, chopped nuts, and candied cherries until just combined, careful not to overmix.
- Form Logs and Chill: Roll the dough into two logs, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Slice and Bake: Slice the chilled dough into rounds about ¼-inch thick. Place the slices onto a baking sheet spaced apart.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the edges are set and cookies are just barely golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let 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 texture, ensure the dough logs are well chilled before slicing.
- Using chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans adds a nice crunch; feel free to substitute with your favorites.
- Candied cherries provide a sweet, colorful burst—drain excess syrup if too sticky.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep fresh during the holiday season.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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