Description
Delight in these White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies, a perfect blend of buttery shortbread, sweet dried cherries, and creamy white chocolate. These cookies offer a tender, crumbly texture with a hint of almond extract, making them an irresistible treat ideal for holidays or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup chopped dried cherries
- 3/4 cup finely chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips
Optional Drizzle
- Additional white chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the shortbread cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will create a smooth base for your dough.
- Add Almond Extract: Mix in the almond extract to the creamed mixture, lending a subtle nutty flavor that enhances the cookie’s taste.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour and salt together to ensure even distribution before adding to the wet ingredients.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in Cherries and White Chocolate: Gently fold in the chopped dried cherries and finely chopped white chocolate to evenly distribute throughout the dough.
- Shape and Chill: Divide the dough into two halves, shaping each into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough for slicing.
- Slice Dough: After chilling, slice the dough logs into 1/4-inch thick rounds, being careful to keep the slices even for uniform baking.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Place the sliced rounds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them to prevent sticking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges begin to turn a delicate golden color, indicating they are cooked but still tender.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly.
- Optional White Chocolate Drizzle: For a finishing touch, melt additional white chocolate and drizzle over the cooled cookies to add an elegant look and extra sweetness.
Notes
- Use high-quality white chocolate rather than white baking chips for a richer, creamier flavor and better melting properties.
- These cookies freeze well; store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
