Irresistible Cherry Butter Cookies to Sweeten Your Chinese New Year
Cherry Butter Cookies are a simple yet elegant treat that adds a touch of color and sweetness to Chinese New Year celebrations. These buttery cookies are soft, crumbly, and have a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes them irresistible. Topped with a bright red cherry half, they symbolize prosperity and happiness—perfect for the Lunar New Year tradition. Whether you’re gifting them to loved ones or serving them to guests, these cookies are sure to spread joy and sweetness with every bite.
Ingredients
To make these delicious cookies, you will need:
- 70g All Purpose Flour
- 5g Milk Powder
- 15g Corn Starch
- ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
- 63g Softened Butter
- 25g Icing Sugar
- 1 Egg Yolk (Room Temperature)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Essence
- Diced Cherry
Instructions
Prep the Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Add the Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted flour and all types of powder to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
Shape the Cookies: Use a nozzle to pipe out the dough onto the prepared baking sheet or roll small portions of dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
Add the Cherries: Gently press a halved maraschino cherry into the center of each cookie ball, slightly flattening the dough.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to maintain their tender texture.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Baking Pro Tips
Use Softened Butter: Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for the perfect creamed texture.
Chill the Dough: If the dough feels too soft, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before shaping.
Choose Quality Cherries: Opt for maraschino cherries with vibrant color for the best presentation.
Avoid Overmixing: Overworking the dough can result in dense cookies.
Cherry Butter Cookies are a timeless favorite for Lunar New Year celebrations. Their cheerful appearance, buttery richness, and slight tartness from the cherries make them a delightful treat to share with loved ones. Whether you’re serving them at home or gifting them in decorative boxes, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and good fortune.