These Cherry Pie Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic cherry pie, made into bite-sized treats that are perfect for any occasion. With a buttery cookie base, a sweet and tart cherry filling, and a beautiful lattice top, these cookies look like mini pies but with all the ease of a cookie. They’re great for parties, holiday trays, or just a fun baking project!
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Cherry Filling:
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, to thicken the filling)
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Make the Cookie Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Prepare the Cherry Filling:
- If you prefer a thicker cherry filling, stir 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into the cherry pie filling.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Roll the cookie dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to gently press down in the center of each dough ball, creating a small well.
- Add the Cherry Filling:
- Spoon about 1-2 cherries from the pie filling into the well of each cookie.
- Create a Lattice Top (Optional):
- For a decorative touch, use some extra cookie dough to roll out thin strips and create a crisscross lattice pattern over the cherry filling. Press the edges gently into the cookie to secure.
- Bake:
- Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Glaze (Optional):
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies for extra sweetness and presentation.
Helpful Tips:
- Thickening the Filling: If your cherry pie filling seems too runny, you can mix in a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken it. This helps the filling stay in place while baking.
- Lattice Decoration: Creating a lattice top is optional but adds a fun pie-like look to the cookies. You can skip this step if you want a quicker process.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature for the best texture in your cookie dough.
Substitutions/Variations:
- Different Fillings: You can substitute the cherry pie filling with any other pie filling like apple, blueberry, or raspberry for different flavor variations.
- Almond Extract: For a cherry almond twist, add ½ teaspoon of almond extract to the cookie dough.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use homemade pie filling? Absolutely! If you have homemade cherry pie filling, feel free to use it for these cookies. Just make sure it’s not too runny.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, you can make the cookie dough up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it. Just allow the dough to come to room temperature for about 10 minutes before shaping the cookies.
Storage Instructions:
- Room Temperature: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: They can be stored in the fridge for up to a week for longer freshness.
- Freezing: Freeze the unglazed cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature and add glaze just before serving.
More Relevant Recipes:
- Mini Apple Pie Cookies: A similar cookie with a delicious apple filling, perfect for fall.
- Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies: For a fruity, easy-to-make treat, try these classic thumbprint cookies.
- Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars: If you love pie flavors in smaller bites, these pecan pie bars are a must-try!
These Cherry Pie Cookies are an adorable and tasty way to enjoy the flavors of cherry pie in a handheld form. They’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or indulging on your own!