Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- ½ cup good quality cherry jam
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and ½ cup powdered sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Beat in the pure almond extract and salt until just combined. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing on low speed until the dough just comes together and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gather the dough into a ball, flatten slightly into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch round or flower-shaped cookie cutter, cut out your cookie shapes.
- Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Using your thumb or the back of a small measuring spoon, create a shallow indentation in the center of each cookie. Fill each indentation with about ¼ teaspoon of cherry jam.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set. The jam will be bubbly. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once completely cooled, lightly dust the Elegant Cherry Blossom Christmas Cookies with additional powdered sugar for a snowy, delicate finish. Serve immediately or store for later enjoyment.
Notes
For best results, ensure your butter is truly softened but not melted. If the dough becomes too warm and sticky while rolling, chill it again briefly. These cookies store beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. They make a fantastic homemade gift!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Modern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg