Cherry Almond Chews

Name: Cherry Almond Chews
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: about 7 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup shortening; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 3/4 teaspoon almond extract; 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 2-1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut; 3/4 cup chopped almonds or pecans, optional; 1 jar (16 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained and halved

I make these attractive cherry coconut cookies every Christmas for family and friends. During that busy time of year, I appreciate the fact that they freeze well, so I can make them ahead.

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup chopped almonds or pecans, optional
1 jar (16 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained and halved

Directions

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extract. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in coconut and nuts if desired.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto lightly greased baking sheets. Place a cherry half in the center of each. Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 152 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 106mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

Originally published as Cherry Almond Chews in Best of Country Cookies

Reviews

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Average Rating:

puffandgus2014

Jan 18, 2015

I love making these delicious cookies for the holidays. My family and friends have enjoyed them for years. I mix in some chopped pecans and they taste so yummy! Thanks, for the fabulous recipe.
katarms67

Dec 21, 2010

Made this recipe a few days ago & we LOVED them... I did NOT use shortening, I used just butter & they turned out great. A new favorite
Wendi67

Nov 24, 2010

Followed the recipe exactly (except I used butter flavored shortening), and these were SO TASTY! The chewy texture and taste makes this a perfect cookie in my book. These are my cookie for the Christmas Cookie exchange this year. Thank you for sharing!
Silence96

Feb 26, 2010

Outstanding! The kids and I made these for fun today and they turned out great. The edges were slightly crispy and the center was chewy. The key to making these were to use parchment paper, don't cook too long and to let them cool for about 3 minutes on the cookie sheet before removing them. I changed nothing about the recipe.
25kevin

Dec 20, 2009

My cookies were quite flat, not like the picture. Taste was good. I would probably do half butter or margarine, instead of all shortening. Will try them again.