If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect nostalgic treat with a pop of color and a whisper of almond, let me introduce you to Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies. Imagine everything wonderful about a soft, bakery-style sugar cookie: plush texture, tender crumb, and buttery flavor, but now add in sweet bites of maraschino cherry and a swirl of almond-pink frosting. These cookies are irresistibly pretty and have the kind of melt-in-your-mouth magic that gets rave reviews at every gathering. Plus, with a handful of simple ingredients and easy prep, you’ll want to bake them for every occasion, big or small!

Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s nothing complicated here—just a handful of pantry staples and a few fun extras come together to create the signature look and flavor of Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies. Each ingredient has a special role, from adding softness and structure to delivering that trademark cherry-almond punch.

Unsalted butter: Brings rich flavor and keeps both cookies and frosting ultra-tender.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create the classic sugar cookie softness.
Powdered sugar: Contributes to the melt-in-your-mouth texture and a subtle sweetness in the dough and frosting.
Vegetable oil: Extra moisture for pillowy cookies that stay soft.
Large eggs: Bind the batter and give the cookies structure and lift.
Almond extract: The essential flavor pop—don’t skip this magical touch!
All-purpose flour: Provides structure while keeping the crumb delicate.
Baking soda: Ensures a bit of lift so the cookies stay light.
Cream of tartar: The secret to that classic Amish sugar cookie tang and softness.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps sweetness in balance.
Chopped maraschino cherries: Little pops of color and flavor—be sure to pat them dry for the best results.
Maraschino cherry juice: Infuses the frosting with color and signature flavor.
Sliced almonds: For the perfect toasty crunch and eye-catching finish.
Optional pink food coloring: Gives the frosting that extra-pretty bakery look, though it’s beautiful without as well.

How to Make Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets and Ingredients

Before you do anything else, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze. While the oven preheats, set out your butter so it softens (for both the cookies and the frosting) and pat dry those chopped maraschino cherries so they’re ready to fold in later.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat these together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this will take a few minutes, and it’s worth every second for the softest cookies imaginable. Next, add in the eggs and almond extract, mixing just until the batter is smooth and combined. The almond extract is what really gives Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies their signature aroma, so make sure it’s evenly mixed in.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix

Take another bowl and whisk together your flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. With the mixer on low, gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into your creamed mixture. Stir just until everything is blended—over-mixing can make these cookies tough instead of delicate and cakey.

Step 4: Add the Cherries and Shape the Cookies

Gently fold in your thoroughly dried, finely chopped maraschino cherries. They should be scattered evenly throughout, like little red jewels. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop generous mounds of dough onto your parchment-lined sheets. Don’t bother flattening them; these cookies puff up all on their own for that iconic soft look.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are set but the tops still look pale. Let them finish baking on the hot sheet for a minute, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. The secret to pillowy Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies is not overbaking—watch them carefully!

Step 6: Make the Cherry-Almond Frosting

Once your cookies are cool, whip up the frosting by beating together the softened butter, powdered sugar, almond extract, and maraschino cherry juice. Gradually add the cherry juice to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency and a pretty pink hue. For an extra pop of pink, add a drop or two of food coloring. Beat until fluffy and delicious.

Step 7: Frost and Decorate

Spread a generous swirl of frosting on each cooled cookie, then immediately sprinkle with sliced almonds for that crunchy, bakery-style finish. The frosting sets up softly, so enjoy that perfect combination of creamy, crunchy, and cakey in every bite!

How to Serve Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

For a simple yet stunning finish, a scattering of sliced almonds is all you need. If you want to get a little fancy, try adding a reserved cherry half on top or a light dusting of powdered sugar. These little extras highlight the cherry and almond theme while adding even more texture and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

Pair your Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies with a cold glass of milk, a pot of hot tea, or even a homemade lemonade. The gentle almond notes play beautifully with milky drinks, while the cherry tang pops next to citrusy or floral teas. These cookies also shine on a dessert board with fresh berries, dark chocolate squares, or other petite treats.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, stack a handful of frosted cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a red ribbon—adorable and tempting! If you’re serving at a party, lay them out on a vintage platter for retro charm or use a tiered tray to turn them into a centerpiece. For holiday tables, a sprinkle of festive colored sugars or edible glitter adds a magical touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once the frosting has set, Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container for up to four days. Layer sheets of parchment paper between the cookies to keep the frosting neat and prevent sticking.

Freezing

Both the cookies and the frosting freeze beautifully. Freeze unfrosted cookies tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. If you’ve already frosted them, lay them in a single layer until firm, then stack with parchment in a freezer container. Thaw at room temperature and enjoy that same soft, cakey bite.

Reheating

These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, but if you want to refresh them after freezing, let them thaw completely. To gently warm unfrosted cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes. Add frosting once they’ve cooled again, and they’ll taste bakery-fresh!

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

While fresh cherries add a nice flavor, maraschino cherries give these cookies their signature color and slight chew. If you use fresh, be sure to chop and dry them thoroughly, but you’ll miss some of that classic cherry flavor and vibrancy.

Why do I need cream of tartar in this recipe?

Cream of tartar is the secret behind the pillowy, cakey texture of Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies. It also adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness and keeps these cookies soft for days.

Should the frosting be added when cookies are warm or cool?

Always let your cookies cool completely before frosting! Adding frosting while the cookies are warm will melt it into a gooey mess—waiting means a fluffy layer that holds its shape and texture.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just be aware that texture can vary, so check the dough consistency and adjust if needed with an extra tablespoon or two of flour.

How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter isn’t too soft and your cherries are patted completely dry. If you’re in a warm kitchen, you can chill the dough balls for 15 minutes before baking to help keep those beautiful, round shapes.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to try Cherry Almond Amish Sugar Cookies—every bite is a blissful mix of tender cake, sweet cherry, almond crunch, and creamy frosting. These cookies are pure comfort and guaranteed to make any day feel a little more special. Gather your ingredients, invite a friend or two to bake with you, and let yourself fall in love with this pretty, classic treat!