Name: Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 3 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter; 1 cup powder sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 2 1/4 cups flour; 1 cup chopped nuts; 2 cups candied cherries, quartered (red, green, or combination)

There’s something undeniably festive about biting into a cookie that’s bursting with vibrant cherries and cozy holiday flavors. This Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe is a classic that never fails to bring a little sparkle to holiday gatherings, with its tender texture and delightful bursts of juicy candied cherries—just what you want when the Christmas spirit calls for sweet comfort.

A white plate with a swirl pattern holds a pile of round cookies with a light golden-brown color and many red and green bits inside, giving a festive look. The cookies are arranged in two layers, some stacked and others visible on the bottom. Around the plate, there are green pine branches and shiny red Christmas baubles, one near the plate and one beside a glass of milk filled nearly to the top. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface, creating a bright and holiday-themed setting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made these Cherry Christmas Cookies countless times over the years, and honestly, they’ve become a holiday staple in my family. They manage to combine a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie base with vibrant chunks of candied cherries and crunchy nuts—making every bite a festive delight. Plus, they’re surprisingly simple to whip up, which is a gift in itself during the busy season.

Classic Holiday Flavor: This recipe captures the perfect balance between buttery richness and the bright pop of candied cherries.
Easy to Prepare: With straightforward steps and simple ingredients, you’ll have these cookies ready with minimal fuss.
Perfect for Gifting: These cookies look beautiful with their red and green cherries and hold up well when packaged.
Customizable: You can easily adjust nuts or cherry colors to suit your taste or dietary needs.

A stack of six thick round cookies with a light golden color sits on a white marbled surface, each cookie filled with bright red pieces that are unevenly spread throughout. The cookies have a slightly rough texture with small cracks visible on the surface. Around the stack, there are more cookies lying flat with the same color and red pieces. In the background, blurred festive decorations include a red and gold gift box, some greenery, a shiny red ornament, and a tall nutcracker figure dressed in red and black. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe plays a key role to get that signature texture and taste. The butter and powdered sugar create a tender crumb, while the egg and vanilla bring it all together with richness and warmth. The flour provides structure, and then the nuts and candied cherries add the festive texture and pops of color we adore.

Flat lay of a small block of pale yellow butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white powdered sugar, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a neatly mounded pile of white all-purpose flour, a small white bowl filled with chopped mixed nuts, a small white bowl containing quartered red and green candied cherries, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Use unsalted for control over saltiness; room temperature butter makes creaming easier and yields a tender cookie.
Powdered Sugar: It dissolves smoothly, giving the dough a delicate sweetness and soft texture.
Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture, making the cookies soft but sturdy.
Vanilla: Adds warmth and depth of flavor that heightens the festive spirit.
Flour: Provides structure; make sure to measure it properly by spooning and leveling to avoid a dry or dense cookie.
Chopped Nuts: I usually use pecans or walnuts for a bit of crunch and to balance the sweetness.
Candied Cherries: Red and green ones add classic Christmas colors and bursts of sweet-tart flavor—quartering them fully is key so you get cherry in every bite.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you prefer to swap out nuts for a different crunch or add a hint of almond extract for extra depth, these cookies welcome your tweaks gladly. Don’t be afraid to make this your own!

Variation: I once made a batch using dried cranberries instead of candied cherries—still delicious, especially with a sprinkle of orange zest in the dough for a citrusy twist.
Nut-Free Option: Simply omit the nuts or swap with sunflower seeds to keep that satisfying texture without allergens.
Extra Soft Cookies: For an ultra-soft bite, chill the dough overnight instead of just a few hours.
Colorful Fun: Feel free to mix red, green, and even yellow candied cherries to brighten the cookies for your holiday spread.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar to Perfection

Start by softening your butter to room temperature—this is crucial for a smooth cream. Beat it together with the powdered sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step makes the cookies tender and sets the foundation for the dough’s texture. Don’t rush it; a few extra minutes of creaming makes a big difference.

Step 2: Incorporate Egg, Vanilla, and Flour

Add in your egg and vanilla, mixing until fully blended. Then gradually add the flour to your wet mixture—this keeps the dough from getting too tough or crumbly. Mix just until everything is combined; overmixing can lead to dense cookies, and nobody wants that.

Step 3: Fold in Chopped Nuts and Quartered Candied Cherries

This is my favorite part—folding in those glorious red and green candied cherries and crunchy nuts with care. Be gentle so the cherries stay nicely distributed and don’t get smashed. That's how you ensure each cookie looks as good as it tastes!

Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough Logs

Divide your dough into thirds. Place each third on parchment or waxed paper and roll into a 2-inch diameter log. Wrap the logs tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 hours—this step is key for the cookies to slice cleanly and hold shape while baking. Sometimes I chill them overnight for even easier slicing.

Step 5: Slice and Bake to Golden Perfection

Once chilled, unwrap and slice each log into thin ¼-inch rounds. Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet with enough space to spread. Bake at 350°F for about 13–15 minutes, watching for a light golden edge. Let the cookies cool fully on the pan before moving—they firm up and finish baking in their own warmth.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that chilling the dough logs is non-negotiable if you want pretty, clean slices. Trying to slice room temperature dough just turns into a sticky mess. Also, be sure to quarter the cherries evenly—small pieces distribute better and prevent a cherry overload in one cookie.

Chill Dough Properly: At least 3 hours, ideally overnight for best texture and slicing ease.
Quarter Cherries Evenly: Prevents clumping and ensures balanced cherry flavor in every bite.
Don’t Overmix: Once the flour is added, mix gently to keep cookies tender and soft.
Use Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

How to Serve Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe

cherry christmas cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a simple dusting of powdered sugar over these cookies just before serving to give them that extra festive snow-kissed look. Sometimes I add a little drizzle of white chocolate—for a touch of elegance and extra richness. It’s all about that cheerful sparkle on the plate.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or spiced eggnog for the ultimate holiday treat. They also make a delightful complement to a cheese platter or fruit spread if you’re hosting holiday appetizers before the main feast.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking these Cherry Christmas Cookies in a festive tin lined with tissue paper for gifting. Or arrange them on a holiday platter mixed with peppermint bark and gingerbread men cookies for a colorful, crowd-pleasing cookie tray. I once shaped the dough into a wreath log and sliced it to reveal the circle of cherries—it was a showstopper!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for about a week, though honestly, I rarely have leftovers past the first day. If humidity is high, placing a slice of bread inside the container actually helps keep them moist!

Freezing

Freezing these cookies works well. You can freeze the dough logs wrapped tightly in parchment and foil before slicing or freeze baked cookies in airtight containers. Just thaw the cookies at room temp for a couple of hours before serving—I find the texture holds up surprisingly well after freezing.

Reheating

When I want to revive the cookies’ fresh-from-the-oven warmth, I pop them in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This refreshes them without drying out the texture. Avoid microwaving if you can; it tends to make the cookies chewy instead of soft and tender.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cherries instead of candied cherries?

Fresh cherries contain much higher moisture, which will alter the texture and stability of the dough. Candied cherries are recommended to keep the dough firm and the cookies evenly textured.

What type of nuts work best in this Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe?

I prefer pecans or walnuts for their mild flavor and crunch. However, you can substitute with almonds or even hazelnuts depending on your preference or what you have on hand.

How do I prevent the cherries from clumping together in the dough?

Quarter the candied cherries evenly before folding them in, and fold gently to distribute them throughout the dough. Chilling the dough logs also helps keep cherries from melting together during baking.

Can I prepare the dough a day ahead?

Absolutely! In fact, chilling the dough overnight enhances the flavor and makes slicing much easier. Just keep the logs wrapped tightly in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Christmas Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart as a go-to holiday treat that always brings smiles around the kitchen table. I hope you’ll find the same joy making and sharing them as I do—there’s something magical in the way those cherries glisten and those flavors mingle that just feels like Christmas. So grab your apron and give this recipe a try—you won’t regret filling your home with these sweet, festive delights.