Cherry Chocolate Kiss Cookies

I saw these on The Curvy Carrot and bookmarked them to make for my son’s Boy Scout’s cookie exchange. They were fairly easy to make, smelled amazing while the baked, and my children LOVED them! My daughter told me they are her new favorite cookie. I adapted them a bit by adding vanilla extract instead of almond extract because I was recently sent some amazing vanilla beans and extract from Dave’s Dirty Vanilla. I tried the raw dough to make sure I liked how the cookie tasted and I have to say, I really loved the vanilla flavor with the cherry cookies. I have a feeling these cookies will be a big hit at the cookie exchange.

Cherry Chocolate Kiss Cookies:

Adapted recipe by For the Love of Cooking.net

Original recipe by The Curvy Carrot

 

• 1 cup of softened unsalted butter
• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp maraschino cherry juice
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-3 drops of red food dye (optional)
• 2 1/4 cups of flour
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup of maraschino cherries, chopped up
• White sugar, to roll the cookies in
• 36 chocolate kisses

Beat the butter with a mixer until creamy and smooth. Add the powdered sugar, maraschino cherry juice, vanilla extract, and red food dye (if using); beat with a mixer until smooth. Mix the flour and salt together then pour in batches into the dough. Mix with the beater, making sure to wipe the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the cherries and mix well with spoon. Place the dough into the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silpat mat.
Roll the cookie dough into small balls then drop into a bowl of sugar; roll to coat evenly. Place the balls on the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart; press your thumb down in the center of the cookie gently. Repeat.