Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Hello my friends! As we all know, next week is Valentine’s Day. Topher and I have been together over 20 years now, and our approach to Valentine’s Day has changed throughout the years.

At the beginning of our marriage, we would go out to dinner, waiting hours at restaurants to get a table, watching the clock nervously knowing each hour that went by meant we were paying our babysitter extra. After finally getting seated, the food and service would be mediocre because the staff just couldn’t keep up with the crowd. We would end the night tired after hours of waiting, knowing we spent way too much money with a toddler who was still up past her bedtime after the babysitter was unable to get her to sleep.

For the last decade or so, we decided to have our Valentine’s Day at home and make a special dinner together.

We light candles, try a fun new recipe, put on some music and just enjoy being in the moment with each other.

And the bonus? It was way less expensive.

I always try to surprise my hubby with a handmade dessert, because we all know that way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

Topher loves anything that involves cherries, so this year I am making him Maraschino Cherry Shortbread cookies.

Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup cold butter
• 12 ounces white chocolate baking squares, finely chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 drops red food coloring
• 2 teaspoons shortening
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
• Your choice of red, white, or pink sprinkles

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread cherries on a paper towel to drain well.
2. In a large bowl combine flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture is reduced to fine crumbs. Stir in drained cherries and 2/3 cup of the chopped chocolate. Stir in almond extract and food coloring. Knead until smooth and form into a ball (dough will be crumbly at first, but will come together as you work the dough with your hands).
3. Shape dough into 3/4 inch balls . Place cookie balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-1/2 inch circles.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.
5. In a small saucepan, combine remaining 8 ounces white chocolate and the shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. If desired, roll dipped edge in sprinkles. Place cookies on waxed paper until chocolate is set. If you are giving these cookies as a gift to someone, you could serve them in a super cute container they could keep like this super cute pie dish!

Are you going to be baking any Valentine’s Day treats for anyone? If so, make sure you check out Wayfair’s Valentine Day Bakeware! They have everything from darling aprons, cakestands, to heart shaped waffle makers!

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Happy Valentine’s Day my friends!