Christmas time is a dangerous time for a cookie lover such as myself! It's the only time of year when it's completely acceptable to bake 6 dozen cookies in a weekend all in the name of gift giving, am I right?
This year I added White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies to my Christmas baking list. Little buttery shortbread rounds flecked with sweet, bright maraschino cherries, and dipped in creamy white chocolate. They taste like cherry-vanilla buttery goodness and remind me quite a lot of my Grand Grandmother's recipe for Cherry Nut Bread! Hopefully a few will make it into gift jars...but there are no guarantees.
Are you making Christmas cookies this year? What are some of your favorites?
photos by Leah Bergman
White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread- Better Homes and Gardens
makes about 40 cookies
½ cup of maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
½ cup of sugar
1 cup of cold butter
12 ounces of white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, finely chopped
½ teaspoon of almond extract
2 drops red food coloring (optional)
2 teaspoons of shortening
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread cherries on paper towels to drain well.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in drained cherries and 4 ounces (⅔ cup) of the chopped chocolate. Stir in almond extract and, if desired, food coloring. Knead mixture until it forms a smooth ball.
3. Shape dough into ¾-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-½-inch rounds.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are set. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.
5. In a small saucepan, combine remaining 8 ounces white chocolate and the shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. If desired, roll dipped edge in nonpareils and/or edible glitter. Place cookies on waxed paper until chocolate is set.
Storage Note: Layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Freutcake Note: This shortbread cookie dough is quite crumbly and dry in texture but don't worry, it will come together. If you are still having trouble forming it into a ball, add a tiny bit of milk to your dough.
Stephanie says
mmhhhh... they look really delicious!
have a nice day
stephanie
Audrey says
These look so good!!! I just might add them too my own baking list this year, but usually I tend to stick to chocolates and candy, but I might have some leftover white chocolate from the peanut butter balls I make, which would be a great excuse to try these out 😉
Leah Bergman says
Ooh yes, that's perfect! Hope you will give them a try.
Erin Phraner (@erinphraner) says
These look AMAZING Leah!!! Might have to add this to my own cookie list as well 🙂 Thanks for the hot tip! xoxox
Chelsea says
These looks delicious... I adore shortbread cookies!
Chelsea says
oops... "look"
Marisa says
ooooohhh my. my mouth is watering!
Violeta, your Shoegal Out In The World says
Dear Lea,
I love this recipe & I will definitely make a batch during the weekend to add them in my cookie gift boxes... I just want to ask you about one ingredient in the recipe, I translated shortening & it came out as a fat used in cooking, since I live in Greece & I don't know if the super markets sell an equivalent product, could you send a brand so I can have some reference... Thank you in advance!!!
Have a great day & keep counting down until Christmas!!!
xoxo Violeta, your Shoegal Out In The World
http://www.shoegaloutintheworld.com
Leah Bergman says
I used the brand Crisco! It's vegetable shortening.
huntfortheverybest says
i love white chocolate and cherry. they look great!
allison says
We made these, after seeing them here this past holiday and they were great! Will keep them in rotation for years to come. Happy 2014 to you! xx
Leah Bergman says
How great! Thank you for coming back and leaving this sweet little note. I'm so happy you enjoyed them as much as I did. 🙂 xo Happy New Year!