Prepare to fall in love with these exceptional **cherry cookies**! Imagine a perfectly tangy and wonderfully soft cream cheese sugar cookie base, generously flavored with a delightful touch of almond extract and bright cherry. Each bite is a symphony of textures and tastes, thanks to the delightful crunch of toasted pecans encrusting the exterior and the impossibly chewy interior. Distinct, delicious, and deeply satisfying, this isn’t just another cookie recipe – it’s destined to become your new go-to for irresistibly chewy cookies that truly stand out.

These **soft and chewy cherry pecan cookies** are truly a sensory delight, bursting with a vibrant almond and cherry flavor that is simply unforgettable. The delicate balance of a wonderfully chewy interior and the satisfying crunch from the chopped pecans creates an experience that keeps you reaching for more. And let’s not forget the visually stunning maraschino cherries on top – they’re not just an ideal accent to round out the flavor profile, but also lend a festive flair, making them perfect for any celebration or holiday spread.

For me, these tried-and-true cookies hold a special place, tied for first as **my all-time favorite Christmas cookie**, alongside my Mom’s Gingerbread Cookies. The harmonious blend of textures and the rich, full flavor of these **almond cherry cookies** ensure they remain a regular treat in my home throughout the year. While they shine during the holidays, their bright taste is equally delightful in the summer! Imagine pairing them with pecan tassies and old-fashioned date pinwheels for an exquisite, pecan-themed cookie assortment that will impress all your guests at your next summer gathering.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cherry Pecan Cookies

Crafting these delectable **cherry pecan cookies** starts with a selection of high-quality ingredients, each playing a vital role in achieving their irresistible flavor and texture:

• Unsalted Butter: As with many of my baking recipes, including my classic Scottish Shortbread, I always opt for unsalted butter. This allows for precise control over the overall saltiness of the cookies, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for optimal creaming.
• Cream Cheese: The star ingredient for that signature soft and chewy texture! Cream cheese doesn’t just add a lovely tang that cuts through the sweetness; its unique fat content and composition contribute significantly to the cookies’ thickness and chewiness. Always use full-fat cream cheese for the best results, as reduced-fat options can alter the texture, and whipped cream cheese is a definite no-go due to its different consistency.
• Whole Egg: Eggs are multifunctional in baking, acting as binders, moisturizers, and leavening agents. The whole egg in this recipe adds essential fat from the yolk, which contributes to the cookies’ richness and helps maintain their wonderfully chewy quality. It also helps to emulsify the dough, creating a smooth and cohesive mixture.
• Almond Extract: This is where the magic happens for the distinctive flavor of these **almond cherry cookies**! Almond extract provides a deep, aromatic note that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cherries. This flavor pairing is so iconic that it features prominently in other beloved recipes, such as my exquisite Cherry Almond Pound Cake, complete with a luscious cherry glaze.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our cookie structure. All-purpose flour contains just the right amount of gluten to create a cookie that is both soft and wonderfully chewy, providing the perfect base for our rich flavors.
• Pecans: For that essential satisfying crunch! I particularly enjoy using Southern pecans for their robust flavor, but any high-quality finely chopped pecans will work beautifully. To ensure maximum freshness and flavor, especially if you’re storing them for more than a month or in a warm environment, keep your pecans in the freezer.
• Maraschino Cherries: These vibrant, preserved cherries are steeped in a sweet sugar syrup and dyed their characteristic bright red, offering a softer texture than traditional candied cherries. Maraschino cherries are the key to the festive look and sweet-tart burst of flavor in these cookies. They’re also a star in my festive cherry pistachio snowballs! For a different twist, you could substitute with dried cherries, which are fantastic in other cherry cookie recipes like my delightful No Bake Chocolate Cherry Brandy Balls.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that desirable crisp edge and chewy interior.
• Kosher Salt: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors and balancing the sweetness, much like in any good baked good.
• Baking Soda: Our leavening agent, which helps the cookies spread slightly and contributes to their soft texture.

For precise measurements and detailed information on all ingredients, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located below.

Creative Variations & Smart Substitutions for Your Cherry Pecan Cookies

While the classic **cherry pecan cookie** recipe is perfect as is, don’t hesitate to get creative with these delicious variations and substitutions to tailor them to your personal taste or dietary needs:

• Experiment with Different Nuts: While these cookies traditionally feature finely chopped pecans, feel free to explore other nutty delights! Toasted walnuts or hazelnuts would offer a similarly delightful crunch and a complementary flavor profile. For an extra boost of nutty aroma and deeper flavor, consider lightly toasting your chosen nuts in a dry pan or oven before rolling the cookie dough in them. This simple step can truly elevate the overall taste.
• Almond Extract Alternatives: Not everyone is a fan of almond extract, and that’s perfectly fine! If you prefer a different flavor, you can easily substitute the almond extract with an equal amount of pure vanilla extract for a more classic cookie flavor. Alternatively, for an exciting twist, try a complementary extract such as orange extract, which pairs wonderfully with both cherry and cream cheese, offering a bright, citrusy note.
• Mix-Ins for Extra Indulgence: If you enjoy a more integrated texture, you can absolutely mix all your delightful additions directly into the cookie dough! After incorporating the flour, simply fold in the chopped nuts and finely diced maraschino cherries. This method results in a cookie where the flavors are evenly distributed throughout. This is also a fantastic opportunity to introduce other delicious mix-ins. I highly recommend adding some mini chocolate chips – their small size is ideal for the petite nature of these cookies, creating a delightful chocolate-cherry combination. White chocolate chips or even chopped dried cranberries could also be wonderful additions.

How to Make Soft & Chewy Cherry Pecan Cookies

Creating these delightful **cherry pecan cookies** is a straightforward process, ensuring delicious results every time. Find further specific details and precise measurements in the recipe card provided below.

Phase 1: Prepare the Irresistible Cookie Dough

Step 1: Get Ready to Bake. Begin by preheating your oven to 350° F (175°C) for conventional ovens, or 325°F (160°C) if using a convection oven. Line two sturdy baking sheets with parchment paper; this prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup. Next, pour your finely chopped pecans into a shallow bowl, ready for rolling.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients. In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt. Give it a good whisk to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed. Set this dry mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Cream the Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the granulated sugar, beating on medium speed until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and noticeably pale in color. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Next, crack in the whole egg and beat until fully incorporated. Finally, stir in the almond extract until just combined, infusing the dough with its wonderful aroma.

Step 4: Form the Dough. Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the creamed wet ingredients. Do this in three additions, mixing on low speed until just combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tougher cookies. Continue mixing until a rough, cohesive dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Phase 2: Portion, Decorate & Bake to Perfection

Step 5: Shape and Adorn. Take portions of the dough and shape them into small balls, approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter. Roll each dough ball generously in the bowl of finely chopped pecans, gently pressing to ensure the pecans adhere well to the surface. Place the pecan-encrusted dough balls about 2 inches apart on your parchment-lined cookie sheets. With a gentle touch, press a maraschino cherry half into the center of each cookie, slightly flattening the top as you do so. This creates a beautiful visual and ensures the cherry stays put.

Step 6: Bake and Cool. Transfer the cookie sheets to your preheated oven and bake for 7-10 minutes. Watch them carefully as the baking time approaches 7 minutes, as ovens vary. The cookies are perfectly done when their edges just begin to turn a light golden brown, and the centers still look soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain their signature chewy texture. Once baked, remove the cookie sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This helps them firm up without losing their chewiness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Pecan Cookies