Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies – Soft, Sweet, and Easy

Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies are the kind of nostalgic treat that takes you right back to grandma’s kitchen—except with a modern twist of bright cherries and that cozy almond flavor. These cookies are buttery, soft, and just sweet enough to qualify as dessert but not so over-the-top that you can’t sneak one with your morning coffee.

Whether you’re baking with your kids, prepping for a holiday tray, or just want a weekday pick-me-up, Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies deliver every single time. With chopped maraschino cherries and sliced almonds in the mix, these little guys don’t just taste amazing—they look like they came from a fancy bakery (but no one needs to know you made them in your fuzzy slippers).

Perfectly chewy with a tender crumb, the combo of vanilla and almond extracts brings that warm bakery aroma that lingers in the best way. You’ll find that Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies are a delightful surprise among your usual cookie rotation—and ridiculously easy to pull off.

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What is Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies?

Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies are a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that marries the old-fashioned charm of Amish baking with the delightful pairing of almond and cherry. If you’re not familiar with Amish sugar cookies, they’re known for their pillow-soft texture, creamy richness (thanks, butter), and minimal fuss. This version adds in chopped maraschino cherries for a pop of fruity flavor and sliced almonds for that satisfying crunch. What sets these cookies apart isn’t just their taste—it’s their simplicity. No chilling the dough, no special tools, just a bowl, a spoon, and a craving for something cozy.

These cookies aren’t overly sweet, making them perfect for cookie trays, gift boxes, or sneaky pantry stashes. Plus, the almond extract gives a nutty depth that makes them feel a bit fancier than your everyday sugar cookie. Think of them as the understated hero of your dessert table—unassuming, but always the first to disappear.

Reasons to Try Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies

There’s something about Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies that checks all the right boxes: they’re easy to make, taste like a dream, and look like you spent hours fussing. First off, let’s talk time—these cookies come together in under 30 minutes from start to finish. No waiting on dough to chill or dough battles with rolling pins. Second, they’ve got that wow factor from the bright maraschino cherries, which give the cookies a pop of color and a sweet, juicy bite.

And then there’s the almond flavor—subtle but sophisticated. It’s like your regular sugar cookie went to finishing school. Bonus: they hold up great in cookie swaps, travel well for lunchbox treats, and please picky eaters of all ages. If you’ve got butter, sugar, and a spare egg on hand, you’re basically halfway there. Need another reason? The optional glaze is a total game-changer if you’re into extra sweetness or love a bakery-style finish.

Ingredients Needed to Make Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies

• 1 cup granulated sugar – gives that perfect sweet base
• ½ cup butter (softened) – for that rich, buttery texture
• 1 large egg – helps bind everything together
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – adds warm depth
• ½ teaspoon almond extract – brings the nutty aroma
• 2 cups all-purpose flour – your cookie dough foundation
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder – gives a little lift
• ¼ teaspoon salt – balances out the sweet
• 1 cup chopped maraschino cherries – for fruity bursts and color
• ¼ cup sliced almonds – adds a light crunch
• Optional glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2–3 tbsp milk – sweet finish

Instructions to Make Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies

Ready to whip up some soft, buttery cookies with that irresistible cherry almond twist? Follow this step by step guide to get perfectly tender Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies every time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just learning the ropes, this walkthrough will make the process simple and fun—no guesswork needed.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep Your Baking Sheet
Let’s start with the basics. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven reaches the right temperature before the cookies go in—crucial for even baking. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat if you have one. This keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. If you’re curious about baking tools that save time, check out our easy baking prep tips.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar Together
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and ½ cup of softened butter. Using a hand mixer (or good old elbow grease with a wooden spoon), beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key—it helps create that signature soft Amish cookie texture. You’re aiming for a pale, creamy mixture that looks like whipped frosting. Wondering why room-temperature butter matters? Learn how to prep ingredients the right way in our ingredient prep guide.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Flavor Extracts
Once your butter-sugar mix is smooth, crack in 1 large egg, then stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon of almond extract. Blend everything together until the mixture is creamy and uniform. The almond extract is what really gives these cookies their standout flavor, so don’t skip it. If you’re out of almond extract, visit our tips for easy flavor substitutions—vanilla alone will still give you a delicious result, just with a milder twist.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. This step may seem skippable, but it ensures your leavening agent and salt are evenly dispersed throughout the flour. Lumpy pockets of baking powder? No thanks. Whisking is quick and helps avoid any surprises later on.

Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Mixtures
Now let’s bring it all together. Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet bowl, mixing just until everything is incorporated. Don’t overmix! That can lead to tough cookies, and we’re all about soft and tender here. As the dough forms, it should be soft but not sticky—perfect for scooping.

Step 6: Fold in Cherries and Almonds
Time to add the stars of the show: 1 cup of chopped maraschino cherries (blotted dry with a paper towel) and ¼ cup of sliced almonds. Gently fold them into the dough so they’re evenly distributed. The cherries add bursts of color and fruity sweetness, while the almonds bring a lovely crunch. If you’re curious about other fun cookie mix-ins, our Caramel Apple Spice Cake shows how fruits and nuts can totally transform a bake.

Step 7: Drop the Dough onto the Baking Sheet
Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie—they’ll spread slightly while baking. If you want bakery-style cookies, press a few extra almond slices or cherry bits on top of each scoop. This adds visual appeal and makes them look extra special.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Edges
Bake in your preheated oven for 10–12 minutes. Keep a close eye around the 10-minute mark. You’re looking for cookies with just lightly golden edges and soft centers. They may seem a bit underbaked in the middle, but that’s what keeps them moist. Don’t overbake—these aren’t meant to be crispy!

Step 9: Cool Before Glazing
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. If you move them too soon, they might fall apart—they’re that soft! Once cooled, you can drizzle them with an optional glaze made from 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2–3 tablespoons of milk. Want to switch it up? Try adding a drop of almond extract to the glaze for extra oomph.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy
You did it! Now serve those Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies with a cup of tea, coffee, or even a scoop of ice cream. These cookies also pair beautifully with other cozy recipes like our Honey Feta Sweet Potato Rounds for a sweet-and-savory combo.

Following this step by step method guarantees cookies that are rich, soft, and bursting with cherry almond flavor. Whether it’s your first bake or your hundredth, this recipe is one to keep in your go-to dessert rotation.

Need more ideas for sweet treats? Don’t miss our comforting Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake and chewy Churro Cookies to round out your baking adventures.

What to Serve with Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies

These cookies are versatile snack royalty. They pair perfectly with a glass of cold milk (classic), but they’re also a hit with afternoon tea or even a cheeky coffee. Hosting brunch? Stack them on a dessert plate next to Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake for a cozy spread.

Want to get fancy? Serve them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of the cherry juice from the maraschino jar. For a holiday touch, arrange them with Churro Cookies on a tray—your guests will think you ordered from a high-end bakery. And let’s be honest—these are also totally acceptable for breakfast if no one’s watching. Warm one up for 10 seconds and enjoy with your favorite mug of something hot.

Key Tips for Making Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies

Tip one: blot your maraschino cherries before chopping them. Too much syrup makes for soggy cookies, and no one wants that. Tip two: don’t skip the almond extract—it’s a small amount, but it adds major flavor impact. If you don’t have it, the cookies will still be tasty, but the almond vibe takes it up a notch. Tip three: go easy on mixing once you add the flour.

Overmixing is the fast track to tough cookies, and these babies are supposed to be soft and tender. Tip four: If your butter isn’t softened, microwave it for 10 seconds—but don’t melt it. Melted butter = flat cookies. Tip five: Want an extra pretty cookie? Save a few cherry bits and almond slices to press lightly into the tops before baking. They’ll look bakery-level without any extra effort.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 4 days. If you glazed them, let the glaze fully set before stacking. Want to make them last longer? They freeze like a dream. Just pop cooled cookies into a freezer bag with parchment between the layers and freeze for up to 3 months.

When ready to eat, let them thaw at room temp, or give them a quick zap in the microwave (10–15 seconds) for that fresh-baked softness. If you’re storing the dough, you can roll it into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. When cookie cravings strike, bake them straight from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes to the baking time. These make-ahead options make life way easier during holidays or busy weeks when you still want to show up with something sweet.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino?
You can, but maraschino cherries add that classic sweet flavor and vibrant color. Fresh ones may bleed more and aren’t as sweet.

Do I need to chill the dough?
Nope! These are drop-and-bake cookies, which makes them fast and weeknight-friendly.

Can I skip the glaze?
Absolutely. The cookies are plenty sweet on their own, but the glaze does add a nice little shine and extra sweetness.

What if I don’t have almond extract?
You can sub with more vanilla, but you’ll lose that nutty almond flavor that really makes these cookies stand out.

Are these good for gifting?
Totally. They travel well, look festive, and you can package them up with some Caramel Apple Spice Cake for the ultimate homemade treat box.

Final Thoughts

Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies are proof that simple can still be spectacular. With just a few pantry staples and a handful of chopped cherries, you’ll have a batch of soft, sweet cookies that are guaranteed to bring smiles. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a bake sale, or just because—it’s always a good time for a cookie this charming. And let’s be real, anything that takes under 30 minutes and makes your kitchen smell amazing is a keeper in our book. If you enjoyed this recipe, check out our other feel-good favorites like Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake or Biscoff Blondies to keep the sweet train rolling.

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