Easy Homemade Valentine’s Day Cherry Cookies

Valentine’s Day Cherry Cookies are a great choice when you want a homemade treat that looks cute and tastes comforting. The soft cookie base pairs nicely with the cherry glaze, making each bite balanced and sweet.

This recipe works well for beginner bakers who want reliable results without advanced techniques. I often make these when planning cookies for Valentine’s Day parties or cookie boxes.

They sit nicely next to sugar cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, or even a slice of valentine cake on a dessert table. Valentine’s Day Cherry Cookies always remind me of baking something sweet at home without stress.

If you enjoy simple cookies with a bakery feel, this recipe fits right in with your Valentine cookies ideas.

Why You’ll Love Valentine’s Day Cherry Cookies?

Why You’ll Love This Valentine’s Day Cherry Cookies comes down to how easy and rewarding they are to bake. The cookies stay soft with a light buttery bite, and the cherry topping adds just enough sweetness without feeling heavy.

I like that this recipe uses simple pantry ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla extract, so there’s no extra shopping involved.

These cookies bake quickly, look festive, and work well for gifting or sharing on Valentine’s Day. They fit right in with classic Valentine cookies ideas while still feeling special.

How To Make Valentine’s Day Cherry Cookies?

Recipe Overview

Valentine’s Day Cherry Cookies are soft sugar cookies topped with a sweet cherry glaze and a maraschino cherry for a festive finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Cool Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Cookies
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Calories Per Serving: Approx. 180
• Servings: 24
• Serving Size: 1 cookie

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Red or pink food coloring (optional)
• 24 maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry

For the Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
• 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice

Direction (Step by Step)

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a mixing bowl, stir butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.

3. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until combined.

4. Add flour and salt, then stir until a soft dough forms.

5. Add a small drop of food coloring if using and mix gently.

6. Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on the baking sheet.

7. Press a thumb lightly into the center of each cookie.

8. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges look set.

9. Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then move to a rack.

10. Stir glaze ingredients until smooth, spoon over cooled cookies, and top each with a cherry.

Nutrition (Per Cookie)

• Calories: 180
• Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Sugar: 14g
• Protein: 2g
• Sodium: 60mg

Helpful Tips

✅ Use butter that feels soft to the touch, not melted, for a smooth cookie dough.

✅ Pat the maraschino cherries completely dry to keep the cookies from turning soggy.

✅ Press the thumbprint gently so the cookies hold their shape while baking.

✅ Do not overbake; pull the cookies once the edges look set for a soft center.

✅ Let cookies cool fully before adding the glaze so it stays in place.

✅ Adjust glaze thickness by adding milk a few drops at a time.

✅ Chill the dough briefly if it feels sticky while shaping.

✅ Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Variations

1. Cherry Almond Cookies: Add a little more almond extract for a stronger cherry-style flavor.

2. Pink Sugar Cookies: Skip the cherries and roll the dough in pink sanding sugar before baking.

3. Cherry Glaze Cookies: Bake the cookies flat and drizzle cherry glaze over the top instead of using a thumbprint.

4. Heart-Shaped Cookies: Roll out the dough and cut with heart-shaped cookie cutters for Valentine’s Day.

5. Vanilla Cherry Cookies: Use only vanilla extract for a softer, classic cookie taste.

6. Bakery-Style Cookies: Chill the dough for 20 minutes to help the cookies stay thick and soft.

7. Mini Cherry Cookies: Make smaller dough balls for bite-sized Valentine cookies.

Serving Suggestions

✳️ Serve Valentine’s Day Cherry Cookies on a festive plate with red or pink accents.

✳️ Pair them with milk, tea, or coffee for a simple treat.

✳️ Add them to a Valentine dessert table with sugar cookies.

✳️ Pack them in gift boxes for Valentine’s Day sharing.

✳️ Arrange them on tiered trays for parties.

✳️ Serve as a sweet finish after a light meal.

Storing Tips

💠 Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

💠 Keep layers separated with parchment paper.

💠 Refrigerate if the glaze feels soft.

💠 Freeze unglazed cookies for longer storage.

💠 Thaw at room temperature before serving.

💠 Add glaze after thawing for best results.

Recipe Notes

• Dry cherries fully before use
• Cool cookies before glazing
• Use parchment paper for easy cleanup

FAQs

Final Thoughts

These Valentine’s Day Cherry Cookies bring simple baking and festive charm together. I love making them when I want something sweet without stress.

If you try this recipe, share how they turned out or ask me anything in the comments. Happy baking and happy Valentine’s Day.