Name: Shortbread Maraschino Cherry Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 40 cookies
Cuisine: American

It is a Keeper Verified

March 4, 2026

These Shortbread Maraschino Cherry Cookies are a classic, buttery cookie with a pop of cherry goodness that will melt in your mouth! These cookies taste amazing, plus this easy recipe is fun to make with the kids. We love this recipe so much because they don’t take long to make, super easy and are perfect for the holidays!

Shortbread Maraschino Cherry Cookies cover

From the Cook

1/5

Shortbread Maraschino Cherry Cookies

It is a Keeper Verified

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking sheets.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla extract and then slowly beat in the flour until just incorporated.

Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough on the prepared cookie sheets, about 1″ apart.

Use an inverted teaspoon to press down on the cookies, flattening them and making a small dip in the center of each cookie.

Press a maraschino cherry securely into the indent on each shortbread.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden brown.

Cool on the cookie sheet for about 15 minutes.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Chill Your Dough Thoroughly ❄️
Refrigerate your shortbread dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and ensure crisp, tender cookies with clean edges.
Pat Cherries Dry Before Adding 🍒
Use paper towels to thoroughly dry maraschino cherries to remove excess liquid, preventing soggy cookies and ensuring even moisture distribution throughout.
Use Cold Butter for Flakiness 🧈
Cut cold butter into small cubes and keep it cold while mixing to create a crumbly texture that yields delicate, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread.
Don't Overmix the Dough 🥄
Mix only until ingredients just combine—overmixing develops gluten and makes cookies tough instead of tender and crumbly like premium shortbread should be.
Add Cherry Stems at the End ✨
Press maraschino cherries into cookies just before or immediately after baking so they stay vibrant and don't sink into the dough or lose their appealing appearance.

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About the Cook

It is a Keeper

Hi! I’m Christina… welcome to my kitchen! It’s so nice to meet you! I share tried and true recipes that anyone can make. I believe, if you can read, you can cook.