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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary workspace by warming the oven to 350F (175C) and lining two baking surfaces with protective parchment or silicone mats.
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate the egg and almond extract into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough blending.
- Separately sift together flour, salt, and baking powder, creating a delicate dry ingredient blend.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a cohesive dough forms.
- Optional: Integrate finely chopped maraschino cherries into the dough for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Portion the dough into tablespoon-sized spheres, arranging them evenly across the prepared baking surfaces with sufficient spacing.
- Gently nestle a whole maraschino cherry into the center of each cookie, delicately flattening the dough.
- 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.
- Remove from the oven and permit cookies to rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, facilitating initial cooling.
- Migrate the cookies to a wire cooling rack, allowing complete temperature reduction.
- 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