If you’re looking for a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that’s perfect for the holidays or any special occasion, White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies are the answer. These buttery shortbread cookies are studded with sweet-tart dried cherries and chunks of creamy white chocolate, making every bite a delicious balance of flavors and textures.
What makes these cookies so special is their simplicity and elegance. The shortbread base is rich and buttery, while the white chocolate adds a creamy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the chewy dried cherries. The result is a cookie that’s soft on the inside, with a slight crunch on the edges, and full of delightful bursts of fruit and chocolate. Plus, these cookies are easy to make and can be enjoyed year-round!
I first made White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies when I was craving something festive but simple. The combination of cherries and white chocolate is a classic that’s always a hit, and these cookies became an instant favorite in my household. They’re now a go-to recipe for holiday baking and always disappear quickly at gatherings!
Why These White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies Will Be Your New Favorite
- Buttery and delicate: The shortbread base is melt-in-your-mouth delicious with a perfect buttery flavor.
- Sweet and tart balance: The sweet white chocolate and tart dried cherries create a lovely contrast of flavors in each bite.
- Easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients, these cookies come together quickly and require minimal effort.
- Perfect for gifting: These cookies make beautiful holiday gifts when packaged in a cute tin or box, making them a thoughtful and delicious present.
- Customizable: You can easily swap the dried cherries for cranberries, raisins, or even chopped nuts, depending on your preference.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
- Optional: 1 tablespoon milk (if dough is too dry)
How to Make White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies
- Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup. - Mix the dough:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine. - Add the dry ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until combined. The dough should come together easily, but if it feels too dry, add a tablespoon of milk to help it bind. - Incorporate the add-ins:
Gently fold in the chopped dried cherries and white chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. - Shape the cookies:
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each cookie with the back of a spoon or your hand to about 1/2 inch thick. - Bake:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on your oven. - Cool and serve:
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. - Enjoy:
Your White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies are ready to be enjoyed! These buttery, fruity, and chocolatey treats are perfect for snacking, gifting, or serving at your next holiday gathering.
Tips
- Use softened butter: For the best texture, make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing it with the sugar.
- Chill the dough (optional): If you want to ensure that the cookies hold their shape while baking, you can chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
- Customize the add-ins: Feel free to swap the dried cherries for cranberries, raisins, or even chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds.
- Don’t overbake: These cookies are meant to be soft and buttery, so be careful not to overbake them. The edges should be lightly golden, but the centers should remain tender.
Substitutions and Variations
- Dried fruits: If you don’t have dried cherries, you can substitute them with dried cranberries, raisins, or even chopped dried apricots.
- Add nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts would make a great addition to these cookies, adding crunch and flavor.
- Chocolate: If you prefer dark chocolate, you can swap the white chocolate chips for dark or milk chocolate chips.
Make a Healthier Version
- Use coconut oil: Swap the butter for coconut oil to make a dairy-free version of these cookies. This will change the flavor slightly but still keep the cookies rich and delicious.
- Lower sugar: You can reduce the powdered sugar by up to 1/4 cup for a less sweet cookie, depending on your taste preference.
Closing
And there you have it! White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies are the perfect combination of buttery, sweet, and tart flavors, with a festive touch that’s perfect for the holiday season. These cookies are easy to make, delicious, and a wonderful gift for friends and family. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Don’t forget to let us know how your cookies turn out, and be sure to check out more of our festive dessert recipes for even more baking inspiration!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Just let them cool completely before storing. - Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?
Fresh cherries have a higher moisture content and are not recommended for this recipe. Dried cherries provide the best texture and sweetness for shortbread cookies. - Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Let it soften slightly before rolling and baking. - Can I use another type of sugar?
You can substitute granulated sugar for the powdered sugar, but powdered sugar helps to create a more delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s ideal for shortbread. - Can I add more white chocolate to the dough?
Yes! Feel free to add more white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate for a richer, more decadent cookie. - Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While margarine can be used as a substitute, butter will provide the best flavor and texture for these cookies. - Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum to help with texture. - How can I make the cookies softer?
If you prefer a softer cookie, reduce the baking time slightly, and keep the cookies in an airtight container to prevent them from becoming too crisp. - Can I make these cookies without white chocolate?
Yes! You can omit the white chocolate and make a simple shortbread cookie with just the dried cherries, or substitute with milk or dark chocolate if you prefer. - Can I add more flavor to the cookies?
Yes! Add a teaspoon of almond extract, orange zest, or a dash of cinnamon for a unique twist on the flavor of these cookies.
White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies
4
30
minutes40
300
kcal0
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 cup 1 unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup 1/2 powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 all-purpose flour
1/2 cup 1/2 cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon 1/4 salt
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 vanilla extract
1/2 cup 1/2 dried cherries, chopped
1/2 cup 1/2 white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
Optional: 1 tablespoon milk (if dough is too dry)
Directions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Mix the dough:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.
- Add the dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until combined. The dough should come together easily, but if it feels too dry, add a tablespoon of milk to help it bind.
- Incorporate the add-ins:
- Gently fold in the chopped dried cherries and white chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape the cookies:
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each cookie with the back of a spoon or your hand to about 1/2 inch thick.
- Bake:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on your oven.
- Cool and serve:
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy:
- Your White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies are ready to be enjoyed! These buttery, fruity, and chocolatey treats are perfect for snacking, gifting, or serving at your next holiday gathering.
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