Have you ever bitten into a cookie that makes your taste buds do a little happy dance? That’s exactly what these Sweet Almond-Cherry Cookies deliver. I’m talking about the perfect balance of nutty almonds and tart cherries, wrapped in a melt-in-your-mouth dough that’s impossible to resist. The secret? A splash of almond extract that transforms these from good to unforgettable. Trust me, once you know how simple they are to make, you’ll wonder why they haven’t been in your dessert rotation all along.
Why You’ll Love these Sweet Almond-Cherry Cookies
When the craving for something sweet hits, these almond-cherry cookies are my go-to recommendation. They perfectly balance the nutty richness of almonds with tart dried cherries in every bite.
What makes them special? The almond extract gives them a sophisticated flavor that elevates them beyond ordinary cookies.
Plus, the texture is divine—crisp edges with a tender center that melts in your mouth.
They’re surprisingly simple to make with ingredients you might already have on hand. The dough comes together in minutes, and that heavenly aroma while they bake? Worth turning on your oven for.
What Ingredients are in Sweet Almond-Cherry Cookies?
To make these delightful almond-cherry cookies, you’ll need a perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and tart ingredients that come together in cookie harmony.
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dried cherries, chopped
- ½ cup sliced almonds
For best results, make sure your butter is properly softened (not melted) and your dried cherries are of good quality—the tarter varieties will create a more interesting contrast against the sweet cookie base.
How to Make these Sweet Almond-Cherry Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Take 1 cup of softened butter and 1 cup of sugar, then beat them together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
This creates the perfect base for our cookies—and honestly, I could eat this mixture with a spoon (though I probably shouldn’t).
Step 2: Add the Egg and Almond Extract
Beat in 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of almond extract until completely incorporated.
The almond extract is what gives these cookies their signature flavor, so don’t even think about skipping it.
Step 3: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
This might seem fussy, but mixing dry ingredients separately prevents those dreaded flour lumps in your final cookies.
Using a premium baking tools set ensures your ingredients are properly measured and mixed for the best results.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Over-mixing might make your cookies tough, and nobody wants that tragedy on their hands.
Step 5: Fold in Cherries and Almonds
Gently fold in ½ cup of chopped dried cherries and ½ cup of sliced almonds.
These gems distribute little bursts of tart-sweet flavor and nutty crunch throughout each cookie.
Step 6: Form the Cookies
Drop the dough by tablespoons onto a baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each.
No need to flatten them—they’ll spread just right in the oven.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color.
The middles might look slightly underdone, but that’s the secret to perfectly chewy cookies.
Step 8: Cool and Store
Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
They’ll firm up as they cool, developing that perfect texture.
Once cooled, store them in an airtight container where they’ll stay fresh for up to one week—if they last that long in your house!
What to Serve with Sweet Almond-Cherry Cookies
These delightful almond-cherry cookies deserve some equally delicious companions.
Try serving them alongside a frothy cappuccino or hot chai latte—the warm spices complement the almond flavor beautifully. For a simple but elegant dessert plate, pair with vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of warm dark chocolate sauce.
These cookies also make a lovely addition to a breakfast spread with Greek yogurt and fresh berries, or serve them as an afternoon pick-me-up with a glass of cold milk or almond milk.
For a truly sophisticated pairing, try these with a small glass of amaretto liqueur or dessert wine—just don’t tell the kids where their cookies disappeared to!
Sweet Almond-Cherry Cookies Substitutions and Variations
• Topping Ideas: Drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate, dust with powdered sugar, or press a whole almond into the center before baking for that bakery-style look.
Leftovers and Storage for these Sweet Almond-Cherry Cookies
These delightful cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
The firm texture actually helps them maintain their quality—no sad, soggy cookies here!
For longer storage, these treats freeze exceptionally well.
Simply layer them between pieces of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Want to refresh day-old cookies?
Pop them in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes.
The warmth will reactivate those lovely almond and cherry aromas while restoring some of that freshly-baked texture.
Unlike some desserts, these cookies maintain their quality well over several days, though the almond flavor becomes slightly more pronounced—which isn’t necessarily a bad thing!
Final Thoughts
These Almond-Cherry Cookies offer that perfect balance of sweet and tart, with the nutty almonds complementing the bright pop of dried cherries in every bite.
The subtle almond extract weaves everything together into a cookie that feels both special and familiar. I love making these during holiday seasons when everyone appreciates a homemade treat, but they’re simple enough for weekend baking when you need something sweet to get through the week.
Their firm texture makes them ideal for gifting, too. Sometimes the most straightforward recipes become the ones we return to again and again, creating little moments of sweetness in our everyday lives.
