Best Sour Cherry Shortbread Cookies Recipes

DRIED CHERRY AND ALMOND COOKIES WITH VANILLA ICING

Steps:

• For the Cookies:
• In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in the egg. Add the flour and beat on the lowest speed until just blended. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the dried cherries and almonds.
• Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a log, about 12-inches long and 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Wrap the dough in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (Dough can be made up to 3 days in advance).
• Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cut the log crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Transfer the dough slices to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1-inch apart. Bake until the cookies are golden around the edges and puffed, about 15 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before icing, about 30 minutes.
• For the Icing:
• Put the powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the vanilla extract and water, adding more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture becomes a drizzling consistency. (Makes about 2/3 cups icing, enough to ice both variations.)
• Put the cooled cookies on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Using a spoon or a fork, drizzle the cookies with the icing, allowing any excess icing to drip onto the baking sheet. Allow the icing to set before serving, about 1 hour.
• Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.
• Cook's Note Alternative:
• Replace the dried cherries with 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots and add 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts. Also, use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and omit the almond extract.

SOUR CHERRY SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt; stir well.
• Add butter and mix with electric mixer on low speed until the mixture is coarse and crumbly.
• Add cherries and vanilla and mix until the cherries are evenly distributed, 20 to 30 seconds.
• Scrape half of dough from bowl onto a sheet of parchment paper and roll the dough out ¼ inch thick. Lift parchment paper onto a rimmed baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining piece of dough.
• Chill both baking sheets in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 325°F Remove baking sheets from the refrigerator. Using a sharp knife or cookie cutter, cut the dough into 2-inch rounds (or shape of your choice).
• Place cookies on baking sheets. Keep cookies refrigerated until ready to bake.
• Bake cookies, one sheet at a time, on center rack of oven for 20 to 25 minutes each.
• Cool on the baking sheet for at least 20 minutes, then dust with confectioners' sugar.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, pink pepper and salt. Set aside.
• Place the butter and 1/3 cup sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks and beat for an additional minute. In two additions, add the flour mixture, beating on low speed until just combined between additions. Pulse in the dried cherries and chocolate chips.
• Place a piece of plastic wrap on a clean, dry surface. Transfer the cookie dough to the plastic wrap, form into a 2-inch-wide log, and wrap tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Using a sharp, thin knife, cut the log into 1/3-inch-thick rounds. Set the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet, spaced 1 inch apart, and sprinkle evenly with the remaining 2 teaspoons sugar.
• Bake until just set, 25 minutes. Cool the cookies completely on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack.

CHERRY SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• Using a food processor, mix the flour, butter, sugar and salt for 20 seconds.
• Add the cherries and pulse until chopped (about 20 seconds).
• Turn out the mixture onto a work surface and gather into a smooth, compact ball.
• On a lightly floured surface, form the dough into a 7 by 9 inch rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
• Cut into 12 rectangles. Prick each cookie 3 times with a fork.
• Using a metal spatula, place the cookies about 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheet and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Bake until light golden brown (30 minutes).
• Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely and sprinkle with sugar.