Tired of the same old cookies? Craving a taste of summer that's both easy and delicious? Then look no further! These cherry-filled cookies are the perfect blend of sweet and tart, soft and chewy, making them an ideal treat for any occasion. This recipe offers a delightful homemade cooking experience, perfect for quick dinner ideas or a satisfying dessert. Get ready to bake up a batch of these incredibly easy recipes and impress everyone with your baking skills!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cherry pie filling (or your favorite fruit filling)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step ensures even baking and easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is crucial for a tender cookie. Use an electric mixer for best results.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 2: Assemble and Bake
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls.
- Flatten each ball slightly with your hand.
- Place about 1 teaspoon of cherry pie filling into the center of each flattened ball.
- Gently bring the edges of the dough together, pinching them to seal the filling inside. Ensure the filling is completely enclosed to prevent leakage during baking.
- Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each one.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Step 3: Cool and Enjoy
- Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming soggy.
- Once cool, enjoy your delicious cherry-filled cookies! They're best enjoyed fresh, but they also store well in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.
Tips for the Best Cherry Filled Cookies:
- For extra flavor, use high-quality butter and vanilla extract.
- If you don’t have cherry pie filling, you can easily make your own by combining fresh or frozen cherries with sugar and cornstarch.
- Don't overbake the cookies; slightly underbaked cookies will be softer and chewier.
- Feel free to experiment with different fruit fillings, such as blueberry, raspberry, or apple.
Variations:
- Chocolate Cherry Cookies: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the cookie dough for a delightful chocolate and cherry combination.
- Spiced Cherry Cookies: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Glazed Cherry Cookies: Once cooled, drizzle the cookies with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200
- Fat: Approximately 8-10g
- Sugar: Approximately 15-20g
These cherry-filled cookies are a simple yet impressive dessert that's perfect for any occasion. Their ease of preparation makes them ideal for both beginner bakers and experienced ones seeking quick and healthy meals. Enjoy the burst of summer flavor in every bite!