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–+ servings

Cherry Meltaways

Teresa Ambra
Cherry Meltaways are utterly irresistible. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies include candied cherries and almond extract, so they just pop in flavor. They're delicious to the taste buds and festive and beautiful for any holiday party or Christmas Cookie Exchange. This recipe makes 5 1/2 dozen so it's perfect for crowds and entertaining.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 68
Calories 130 kcal

Equipment

  • 3 18x26" cookie sheet pans
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 sharp knife to chop cherries
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup salted butter softened (2 sticks)
  • 1 cup canola oil or avocado oil
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 2 tsp. almond extract
  • 2 cups Paradise candied cherries chopped (measure after chopping)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar or granulated sugar to roll the cookies in

Instructions
 

  • Combine butter, oil, granulated sugar, confectioners’ sugar, eggs, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt and almond extract in a large mixing bowl.
  • Mix with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth.
  • Stir in flour and chopped cherries with a wooden spoon.
  • Shape cookies into balls.
  • Roll in powdered sugar or granulated sugar.
  • Put 3" apart on cookie sheets that have been sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes.
  • Cool. 

Notes

NOTE:  The secret to these cookies is making sure they are not crowded. Give them plenty of space when baking as they spread.
 
NOTE: My cookies took about 17 minutes to bake.
 
NOTE: 6-ounces candied cherries = about one cup of diced cherries.
 
Candied Cherries provided courtesy of Paradise Fruit Company.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 72mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 92IUCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.5mg
Keyword almond extract, candied cherries, christmas cookie exchange, cookies, dessert, holiday dessert
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