If I had a cookie for every “stuffed” cookie recipe I’ve oogled, well, I’d be stuffed.
Much like these cookies.
Because it turns out, stuffing things inside cookies is loads of fun.
I’m stuffed just thinking about the possibilities.
Sure, you could put the cherries on top. But the result is a bit too boob-like for me. But depending on your intended audience that might be just what you’re going for.
These particular stuffed cookies feature a soft, almond-scented and sugar-rolled outside with a maraschino cherry hidden inside (I don’t know what it is, but cherry and almond were seemingly made for each other). The recipe utilizes the same dough base as the chocolate mint truffle cookies; the combination of melted butter, cream cheese, and vegetable oil magically producing an unbelievably soft and pillowy texture that stays that way for days. Seriously, it’s one of the best cookies I’ve ever had.
I rolled a few in red sanding sugar for a festive touch. You could also add a few drops of pink or red food coloring and they’d be instantly Valentine’s-ready.
I ran out of cherries before I ran out of dough, so a few got stuffed with some Hershey’s chocolate melts (basically large, flat chocolate chips). Those are equally as good (chocolate-stuffed sugar cookies? Heck yes!) with an added element of surprise. Will you get cherry, or chocolate? Either way, you win. But you better have another anyway. You know, just to improve your odds.
Stuffed Cherry Blossom Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup (2 ounces) regular cream cheese, cut into cubes
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
36 maraschino cherries (from an 8oz jar)
1/4 cup granulated or decorative sanding sugar, for rolling
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Combine sugar, cream cheese, and melted butter in a large bowl and whisk until mixture forms a smooth paste (a few lumps are ok). Whisk in oil. Add egg, milk, and vanilla and almond extracts and stir until smooth. Fold in flour mixture until incorporated and no dry ingredients remain.
Pour 1/4 cup or so of sugar into a small bowl. Dough will be soft, but should still be workable. If not, refrigerate it for 15 to 20 minutes until it is. Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough. Press a cherry in the center, shape into a ball around it, then roll in sugar to coat. Arrange on prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until cookies are set and cracked. Cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Adapted from Cooks Illustrated.
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Made these for my middle school class as a pre-Valentine’s day surprise. Added a little red food coloring because I didn’t have the colored sugar. They were totally decimated by the end of the day – one of the kids actually told one of her other classes about it and I was swarmed by 11 year olds. They went over quite well.
I made the recipe today for the potluck at my apartment building. There were none left, except the few I held back because they were really messy. Those things happen. Everyone wants the recipe.
I never comment on recipes usually, but felt I needed to comment on this one. These cookies turned out terribly…first of all, the dough never stopped being too soft after an HOUR of refrigeration. It made the cookies into blobby messes that all ran together when baked. I am going to have to throw the whole pan away. What a waste of time and money.
Oh My! These were delightful! Allie and I had a great time making them. I would say to make sure you drain your cherries. Don’t make them dry, but maybe give a little squeeze just to get the most of the juice out of the center or it will mush up when you bury it in the dough. Not all a bad thing, just not pretty. Allie had a great time rolling the dough in the color sugar. Thanks for posting! (found this on pinterest)
I made these cookies yesterday since I had an unopened bag of cherry kisses to use up. Loved them! I do recommend for any readers reading this that you may want to chill the dough after you stuff them so they don’t leak as much when baking (oops). Now I’m off to eat another cookie….
I made these on Valentine’s Day with my 4-year-old daughter. They’re very easy (I put the cherries in and she rolled them in the sugar), and delicious too! Thank you!
These look great! They remind me of a similar cookie my mom used to make for me at Valentine’s Day. Hers were a pureed cherry filling with a little heart cut out of the top showing the red filling. So good.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Your boob comment had me rolling.
Pretty, pretty!
OMG! I almost peed my pants… “too boob like for me.” haahaaa! No seriously, these look so fun! ;)
I have to thank you for stuffing a cookie with something other than another cookie! haha!!
I was just saying how I craved sugar cookies to my co-workers. Not so excited about the cherries, so maybe I’ll swap them out for raspberries or something!
Cherries and almond were made for each other. Actually, the artificial cherry and almond flavorings used in most processed foods, amaretto, maraschino cherries, etc, are made from the same compound, benzaldehyde. More than once I have confused one flavor for the other, and I do flavors for a living.
I never thought to stuff fruit in a cookie – I’m always stuffing them with candy!
These look amazing! I think I might put them on my Friday Five Foodie Finds if that’s okay! :)
“boob-like”! Once I was trying to decorate something and I looked at it and immediately scrapped it because it looked too boob-like to me too! Not the look I was going for…
my hubby loves cherries in sweets..and these are so sweet looking!
What a cute little surprise! I know what I want to do with those random cherries I have in my fridge!
Personally, I might “accidentally” slip more chocolate in the center. Yuuuuuummmmyyyy. These look delish!
How cute! I love stuffing things inside of baked goods. and these are perfect with V-Day coming up :)
I love cookies with a surprise inside! These look so pretty and sound delicious! Pinning.
Such a cute Valentine’s Day idea! Just make them in the shape hearts! They look absolutely delicious, too!
You are so right – cherries and almond flavoring pair so well together! (And LOL @ the boob comment!)
These are beautiful cookies!
Hmm, I’ve never stuffed a cookie, but these sure sound good. I need to start stuffing cookies and it’s all your fault!
If I make these for my friend I know she will love me forever lol! These look so great.
such a cool idea! not the biggest fan of cherries so maybe i’s try this with another fruit. xx. gigi
the pretty red sugar really makes them such a visual treat! and then to find a hidden centre – how wonderful.
My cousin would simply adore these! She’s a huge cherry fan.
Those are so pretty!
I made 3 recipes with maraschino cherries in the past 3 weeks. 4 yrs of blogging and none, then 3 in 3 weeks! I wish I would have made these cookies of yours! Love the surprise element that ended up happening :)
They look delicious! We had a cake last night with cherries hidden in it, so I’m totally on a cherry kick. I imagine these will be next. :)
maraschino cherries and almond reminds me of my favorite summertime ice cream flavor! These look really cute and I think the half chocolate half cherries per batch would be a fun surprise!
You had me at “cherry.” I am obsessed with anything cherry related and I know I will love these. I agree with stuffing them instead of topping the cookies. I’m sure it would generate laughs though, so maybe I will top them :) haha.
These look so gorgeous! Anything red just screams love.
Those are GORGEOUS!
Cute! Can’t wait to try these!
Jolleen
Pinned them, made them, loved them!!! Put on my blog with the link back to you http://thegraffitiedgardenia.blogspot.com/2013/02/stuffed-cherry-blossom-sugar-cookies.html?m=1
So good!
Jolleen
A sweet idea for Valentine’s Day! The surprise cherry adds just the perfect amount of whimsy!
These are so pretty! I love cherries – what a fun cookie!
These sound so delicious! Love the cherries inside!
I love stuffed cookies. :) These look just so perfect…I love maraschino cherries!
Yum! These are perfect in every way!
How original, and so springlike! Love them
We need more cherries in cookies! These are gorgeous.
We should inact a law…..every cookie must be STUFFED! (I am writing to my congresswoman right now)