Name: Cherry Blossom Cookies with Kisses Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks); 1 cup powdered sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice; ½ teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract; 2-4 drops red food coloring (optional); 2 – 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup maraschino cherries finely chopped and drained; ¼ cup granulated sugar for rolling; 24 Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped

If you adore springtime flavors and sweet bites, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Cherry Blossom Cookies with Kisses Recipe. Imagine tender, buttery cookies dotted with juicy maraschino cherries and crowned with that classic melted Hershey’s Kiss—pure cookie magic!

A white plate with a lacy pattern holds about a dozen pale pink thumbprint cookies, each with a chocolate drop pressed into the center. The cookies have a slightly cracked texture and small bits of red cherries mixed into the pink dough. Bright red cherries with stems are scattered on the plate and on a white marbled surface nearby, along with a few round chocolate pieces. The photo is taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Blossom Cookies with Kisses Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies with Kisses Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Blossom Cookies with Kisses Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made these Cherry Blossom Cookies several times now, and honestly, they always steal the show. They’re quick to whip up, look so festive, and taste like a little celebration in every bite.

Floral & Fruity Flare: Maraschino cherry juice and almond extract give these cookies a subtle yet irresistible springtime flavor.
Tender & Buttery Texture: Creaming the butter and powdered sugar creates a soft, melt-in-your-mouth dough that’s pure delight.
Festive & Fun: The Hershey’s Kiss on top melts slightly for that perfect sweet finishing touch every time.
Easy to Make: With just 30 minutes total, these cookies are perfect for both beginner and seasoned bakers.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s talk ingredients: I always recommend using fresh, quality basics for the best flavor and texture. Plus, a little tip on those maraschino cherries — make sure they’re well-drained to keep your dough from getting soggy.

Flat lay of a stick of unsalted butter softened, a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar, a pinch of salt crystals scattered neatly, a small white ceramic bowl with vibrant red maraschino cherry juice, a tiny white bowl containing clear almond extract, a few drops of red liquid food coloring in a white ceramic dish, a simple mound of all-purpose flour, finely chopped bright red maraschino cherries piled loosely, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar with sparkling crystals, and uncracked whole Hershey’s Kisses chocolates arranged symmetrically, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture you want in a delicate cookie.
Powdered sugar: Using powdered sugar instead of granulated helps keep the dough smooth and soft.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
Maraschino cherry juice: Adds gorgeous cherry flavor and a hint of pink to the dough.
Almond extract or vanilla extract: Almond extract gives a lovely floral note that pairs beautifully with cherries; vanilla is a perfect substitute.
Red food coloring (optional): This brings out a pretty pink hue, but is totally optional!
All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cookie dough, added gradually to get that just-right soft but non-sticky feel.
Maraschino cherries (finely chopped and drained): Small bursts of juicy sweetness throughout every cookie.
Granulated sugar: For rolling the dough balls, adding a subtle crispness to the cookie edges.
Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped): The signature finishing touch—melts lightly on top for irresistible appeal.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of the Cherry Blossom Cookies with Kisses Recipe is how versatile it can be. Whether you want to tweak the flavor or add a personal touch, you can make these cookies truly your own.

Almond Lovers’ Dream: I sometimes swap out half the almond extract for vanilla extract to soften the nutty flavor, giving a subtle, cozy twist that everyone loved during my last bake sale.
Food Coloring Fun: If you're making these for a festive occasion, adding those 2-4 drops of red food coloring really brightens the dough, turning the cookies into pretty pink blossoms—my kids adore helping me paint the dough balls with glittery sugar for extra sparkle.
Cherry-Chocolate Bliss: For an extra chocolaty surprise, try using cherry flavored Hershey’s Kisses. It's a delightful variation I tried for Valentine’s Day, and the cherry-chocolate combo was irresistible.
Diet-Friendly Swap: For a lighter take, you can replace the granulated sugar for rolling with a coarse sugar substitute, or try using a sugar alternative in the dough—just keep in mind it may change the texture slightly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Blossom Cookies with Kisses Recipe

The image shows a white decorative plate filled with soft pink cookies that have red cherry bits inside. On top of the pile, two cookies are stacked with the top one broken in half, revealing a smooth, shiny chocolate center inside each half. Each cookie has a rounded shape with a slightly cracked surface and a chocolate drop on top. Bright red cherries with stems are placed around the cookies for decoration. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat—this little prep makes sure your cookies stay perfect with no sticking or burning. Having everything ready before you mix your dough keeps the process smooth and stress-free.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup powdered sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer and beat until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks almost like a fluffy cloud—this step makes your cookies wonderfully tender.

Step 3: Add Cherry Juice, Extract, and Color

Next, stir in ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice, ½ teaspoon almond (or vanilla) extract, and if you want, 2–4 drops of red food coloring. Mix gently but thoroughly. The cherry juice not only boosts flavor but gives a subtle blush to your dough, especially when paired with food coloring for that classic cherry blossom hue.

Step 4: Incorporate the Flour

Gradually add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, stirring gently. If the dough feels too soft or sticky, slowly add up to ½ cup more flour until it forms a soft ball that’s easy to handle. Remember, the dough should feel moist but not tacky. This balancing act ensures cookies stay tender without losing shape.

Step 5: Fold in the Chopped Cherries

Carefully fold in 1 cup of finely chopped and well-drained maraschino cherries. Take your time here—toss them in gently so they are evenly distributed but without smashing the dough. This little burst of cherry throughout every bite is what makes this recipe shine.

Step 6: Shape and Sugar Coat

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a smooth ball. Then, roll each ball in ¼ cup granulated sugar until fully coated. This sugar coating adds a lovely texture contrast: a slight crunch that beautifully complements the tender cookie.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the sugared dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cookie edges are just turning golden. You’ll see the cookies puff slightly and smell that enticing almond-cherry aroma filling your kitchen—your sign that they’re ready!

Step 8: Press in the Hershey’s Kiss

Right out of the oven, gently press one unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The residual heat slightly melts the chocolate, creating a beautiful, glossy cherry blossom center that’s as delicious as it is pretty.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes—this helps them set—and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, these tender, buttery cookies studded with cherries and topped with a melty Hershey’s Kiss are ready to enjoy or share with loved ones!

Top Tip

These Cherry Blossom Cookies with Kisses come to life with the right little tricks up your sleeve. Here are some tips I've gathered that truly make the baking process smooth and the results even sweeter.

Handling the Dough: If your dough feels a little too soft or sticky to work with, chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. It firms up nicely and makes rolling out those cute little balls way easier.
Cherry Prep: Always drain and pat dry your maraschino cherries well before chopping. Excess moisture can make your dough too wet and affect the texture of your cookies.
Even Sugar Coating: Rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar gives an extra little crunch and adds subtle sweetness. Don’t skip this step—it really lifts the cookie’s texture.
Pressing the Kiss: Right out of the oven, gently press in the Hershey’s Kiss so it softens just enough to meld with the warm cookie but doesn’t completely melt away. This prevents a mess and gives that perfect signature look.

How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies with Kisses Recipe

A clear glass bowl sits in the middle on a pink textured surface, filled with a light beige dough mixture topped with a pile of bright red chopped cherries. To the left of the bowl, there are silver-wrapped candy pieces scattered around and a small container of whole red cherries with stems. A green and white checkered cloth is placed next to the bowl on the right side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

While the Hershey’s Kiss is the star topping here, adding a sprinkle of edible pink or white sanding sugar can enhance the springtime vibe. You can also garnish the serving plate with fresh edible flowers or maraschino cherry halves for that extra festive touch.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a light cup of green tea or a floral white tea to complement their delicate cherry and almond flavors. If you’re planning a dessert spread, fresh fruit salad or a vanilla bean panna cotta can balance the sweetness effortlessly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Cherry Blossom Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to 1 week. This method helps preserve their tender crumb and that delightful sugar crunch on the outside.

Freezing

If you want to keep these treats longer, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To avoid sticking, separate cookie layers with parchment paper.

Reheating

For a freshly-baked taste, warm frozen cookies briefly in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes. This melts the Hershey's Kiss slightly again and revives that fresh-baked charm.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute almond extract with vanilla extract in this recipe?

Yes! Almond extract gives a distinct cherry-almond flavor that complements the maraschino cherries beautifully, but vanilla extract works well if that’s what you have on hand. It will slightly alter the flavor but still result in delicious cookies.

What if my dough is too sticky to roll into balls?

If the dough is sticky and difficult to handle, chilling it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes helps firm it up. This makes it much easier to roll into smooth balls without sticking to your hands.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

You can try fresh cherries, but since they have more moisture than maraschino cherries, you’ll want to chop them finely and pat them very dry to prevent the dough from becoming soggy. Maraschino cherries are recommended for their sweetness and texture.

How do I prevent the Hershey’s Kiss from melting too much?

Press the Kiss into the cookie immediately after removing the cookies from the oven when they’re warm but not too hot. This lets the Kiss soften and adhere without completely melting and losing its shape.

Final Thoughts

Baking these Cherry Blossom Cookies with Kisses Recipe warms the heart as much as the oven does the kitchen. They’re simple to make, delightful to share, and bring a lovely burst of springtime joy to any occasion. Whether you’re gifting them, serving at a party, or indulging by yourself with a cup of tea, these festive little cookies are sure to brighten your day. Happy baking and savor every sweet bite!