Beautiful Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe for Spring Joy

Sweet memories bloom with these delicate cherry blossom cookies that capture springtime’s gentle essence.

Soft petals of flavor dance across your palate with each delightful bite.

Baking these treats feels like walking through a Japanese garden during sakura season.

Delicate pink hues and subtle almond notes invite you to create something truly special.

Cultural traditions merge seamlessly with classic cookie crafting in this unique recipe.

Whispers of Japan emerge through carefully selected ingredients and thoughtful preparation.

Let these cookies transport you to a world of elegant, understated deliciousness.

Pairing Options for Cherry Blossom Cookies

• Brew a delicate jasmine or cherry blossom tea that echoes the subtle almond and cherry notes in the cookies, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
• Select a light, crisp rosé wine with soft pink hues that mirror the delicate cherry essence and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet cookies.
• Serve a small scoop of creamy vanilla bean gelato alongside the cookies, allowing the rich, smooth texture to balance the cookie's light, fruity profile.
• Create a simple mascarpone cream with a touch of almond extract, offering a luxurious, silky accompaniment that highlights the cookies' delicate flavors.

Cherry Blossom Cookies Variants to Try

• Gluten-Free Cherry Blossoms: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Cherry Delight Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of a regular egg, and select dairy-free maraschino cherries to create a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Cherry Treats: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the classic cookie flavor.
• Almond-Free Option: Remove almond extract and replace it with vanilla extract for those with nut allergies, keeping the cookie's core essence intact.

Cherry Blossom Cookies FAQs

• Are maraschino cherries necessary for this recipe?

Not required, but they add vibrant color and extra cherry flavor. You can skip them if unavailable or use alternative garnishes like almond slivers.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate the added salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty. Unsalted butter gives better control over the salt content.

• How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping and baking. Cold dough helps cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading. Also, ensure your butter isn’t too soft.

• What kind of almond extract should I use?

Use pure almond extract for the best flavor. Imitation extracts can taste artificial. Start with a smaller amount and adjust to your taste preference, as almond extract can be quite potent.

Why Cherry Blossom Cookies Is Lovely

• Simple steps make these cherry blossom cookies perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Maraschino cherries and almond extract create a unique, sweet taste that elevates the classic cookie experience.
• Soft, beautiful cookies ideal for tea parties, bridal showers, or casual weekend gatherings with friends and family.
• Flexible recipe allows for personal touches like adding extra cherries or creating a sweet glaze for more indulgence.

What You’ll Need for Cherry Blossom Cookies

• Butter, Granulated Sugar: Creamy base that provides sweetness and rich texture, unsalted preferred for better flavor control.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture, room temperature recommended for smooth mixing.
• Flour, Salt, Baking Powder: Dry ingredients creating cookie structure, all-purpose flour works best, fresh baking powder ensures proper rising.

• Maraschino Cherries: Adds vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor, finely chopped for distributed taste, bright red cherries preferred.
• Almond Extract: Provides delicate nutty background note, high-quality extract recommended for best flavor.

• Simple Glaze: Optional topping for extra sweetness, creates attractive sheen on cookies, can customize with different flavors or colors.

Baking Cherry Blossom Cookies the Simple Way

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats. Set your oven to warm up at 350F.

Step 2: Create Smooth Cookie Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Beat with an electric mixer until the mixture looks fluffy and light.

Add egg and almond extract, mixing thoroughly.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Baking powder

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.

Optional: Fold in finely chopped maraschino cherries for extra burst of flavor.

Step 4: Form Cookie Rounds

Scoop dough using a tablespoon and roll into smooth balls.

Place cookie balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them two inches apart.

Gently press a whole maraschino cherry into center of each cookie, slightly flattening the dough.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide baking sheets into preheated oven.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges look set and bottoms turn light golden.

Avoid over-baking to maintain soft texture.

Step 6: Cool and Finish

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes.

Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 7: Serve with Style

Enjoy cookies as is or drizzle with a delicate glaze for extra sweetness.

Cherry Blossom Cookies Tips for Success

• Customize Cherry Blossom Flavor: Add a splash of cherry syrup or kirsch to intensify the cherry essence and create a more pronounced fruity profile.
• Prevent Spreading Cookies: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to ensure cookies maintain their shape and don't spread too thin on the baking sheet.
• Elevate Texture Perfectly: Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and a more consistent cookie texture that's soft and tender.
• Control Cherry Moisture: Pat maraschino cherries dry with paper towels to reduce excess liquid and prevent soggy cookie centers.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture.

Saving Cherry Blossom Cookies for Later

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 23 months, maintaining their delicate texture and flavor.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 1520 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent texture loss.
• Warm cookies gently in a preheated 300F oven for 35 minutes if you prefer a slightly crisp edge and warm center.

Cherry Blossom Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delicate cherry blossom cookies whisper spring’s elegant charm from Japan. Pastel pink petals and subtle almond essence invite sweet memories with each delightful bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) granulated sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 24 maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry

Leavening and Seasoning:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Optional: ¼ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) finely chopped maraschino cherries for mixing into the dough

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Instructions

1. Prepare the culinary workspace by warming the oven to 350F (175C) and lining two baking surfaces with protective parchment or silicone mats.
2. Cream softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Incorporate the egg and almond extract into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough blending.
4. Separately sift together flour, salt, and baking powder, creating a delicate dry ingredient blend.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a cohesive dough forms.
6. Optional: Integrate finely chopped maraschino cherries into the dough for enhanced flavor complexity.
7. Portion the dough into tablespoon-sized spheres, arranging them evenly across the prepared baking surfaces with sufficient spacing.
8. Gently nestle a whole maraschino cherry into the center of each cookie, delicately flattening the dough.
9. Transfer the baking sheets to the preheated oven, allowing the cookies to transform for 12-14 minutes until edges turn golden and bottoms develop a light crispness.
10. Remove from the oven and permit cookies to rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, facilitating initial cooling.
11. Migrate the cookies to a wire cooling rack, allowing complete temperature reduction.
12. Serve in their natural state or embellish with a delicate glaze for additional visual and gustatory appeal.

Notes

• Preserve cookie texture by avoiding overmixing the dough, which can develop tough gluten and create dense cookies.
• Enhance cherry flavor by adding a small amount of cherry juice or using high-quality maraschino cherries with intense color and taste.
• Customize cookies for dietary needs by substituting gluten-free flour blend and using plant-based butter for vegan alternatives.
• Control cookie spread by chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, ensuring uniform shape and preventing excessive flattening.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 159
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 25mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 23mg