Name: Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) butter; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup chopped nuts; 2 cups candied cherries

There’s something incredibly nostalgic and heartwarming about the Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe I’m sharing today. The way the sweet cherries peek through tender, nut-studded dough just whispers holiday magic—and trust me, once you bake these, your kitchen smells like a cozy Christmas morning.

The image shows a close-up of several round cookies stacked together on a cooling rack. Each cookie has a light beige base with red and pinkish bits embedded throughout, creating a speckled pattern. The cookies have a slightly rough texture with small chunks visible, and the edges are gently browned. The cookies are thick and thickly layered, giving them a chunky appearance. The background and surface are a white marbled texture. photo 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 Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I stumbled upon this old recipe card from Ann Rogers years ago, and it quickly became a holiday staple in our house. What makes these cookies truly special is their perfect balance of nuts and cherries—they’re chewy, buttery, and just sweet enough without feeling heavy.

Classic Holiday Flavors: The combination of candied cherries and chopped nuts instantly reminds you of festive treats from childhood.
Easy Prep: The dough is straightforward—no fancy techniques, just simple steps that anyone can follow.
Versatile Texture: These cookies come out tender with just a slight crunch from the nuts, making them delightfully satisfying.
Great for Sharing: They make excellent gifts or party treats since they keep well and travel nicely in a tin.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating that perfect festive bite—rich butter for tenderness, nuts for crunch, and cherries to add bursts of fruity sweetness. Here’s what you’ll need and why I love these choices:

Flat lay of two whole sticks of pale yellow butter, a small white bowl filled with fine white powdered sugar, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small mound of all-purpose white flour, a small white bowl containing roughly chopped mixed nuts, a small white bowl piled with bright red candied cherries, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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

Butter: The key to the rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture—make sure it’s softened for easy creaming with the sugar.
Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness while keeping the dough tender without any grittiness.
Egg: Helps bind everything together and adds a bit of lift to the dough.
Vanilla Extract: Just a teaspoon brightens all the flavors and adds warmth.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure base—it’s important you don’t overmix to keep cookies tender.
Chopped Nuts: I like walnuts or pecans for their flavor and crunch, but almonds work well too.
Candied Cherries: The real star here—their sweet tartness is what sets these cookies apart from other holiday treats.

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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

I love tweaking the Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe depending on the occasion. Sometimes I swap in mixed nuts for a more rustic feel or sneak in a bit of cinnamon for an extra holiday kick. The recipe is forgiving, so don’t hesitate to personalize it.

Nut Swap: Walnuts are my go-to, but pecans give a lovely buttery flavor that’s just divine.
Cherry Substitution: If you prefer a less sweet note, try dried cranberries or even chopped dried apricots.
Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add cozy warmth without overpowering the original flavors.
Gluten-Free Version: I once experimented with a gluten-free flour blend—the texture was slightly different but still delicious!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe

The image shows several round cookies on a sheet of parchment paper. Each cookie is light beige with a slightly cracked surface and has visible pieces of bright red cherries and small walnut chunks dispersed throughout. The cookies are thick with a soft texture, and the red cherry pieces add strong color contrast against the pale dough. The cookies are placed close together but not touching, and the background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

First up, soften your butter so it’s easy to beat. I like using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment here because it speeds things up, but a hand mixer works just as well. Cream together your butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy—this fluffy stage is key for a tender cookie. Then, add in your egg and vanilla, mixing until the batter is smooth and combined.

Step 2: Gently Folding in Flour, Nuts, and Cherries

Switch your mixer to low speed, or better yet, stir by hand to avoid overmixing. Gradually add the flour, then the chopped nuts and candied cherries. You want everything just combined so that the dough stays tender. Overworking can produce dense cookies, and that’s not the vibe we want for Christmas treats!

Step 3: Chilling the Dough Logs

Roll the dough into two thick logs, about 2 inches in diameter, and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Pop them in the fridge for at least one hour. Chilling firms the dough so it’s easier to slice, and it helps the flavors deepen. I sometimes prep this part the night before holiday baking marathons—it fits perfectly into a busy schedule.

Step 4: Slicing and Baking the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). When the dough is chilled, slice it into thin rounds, about ¼ inch thick. I find a sharp serrated knife works best here to get clean slices without squishing the dough. Arrange the rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space since they don’t spread much. Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until the edges are set and barely golden. Don’t overbake—these cookies should be soft but hold together beautifully.

Top Tip

From my many batches of Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks to make sure they come out perfect every time, and I’m excited to share them with you!

Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted—too soft can make the dough greasy and hard to shape.
Don’t Overmix: When adding flour and mix-ins, combine gently to keep the cookies light and tender—not tough.
Sharp Knife for Slicing: Using a serrated knife helps you slice neat rounds without squashing the cherries and nuts.
Watch Bake Times Closely: These cookies bake quickly—yours are done as soon as edges look set and just start to turn golden.

How to Serve Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe

Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and festive—sometimes I’ll sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the cookies right before serving, which looks like a light dusting of snow. If I'm feeling fancy, I add a delicate drizzle of white chocolate, but honestly, the cookies shine on their own.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with hot drinks—consider serving them with mulled cider, spiced tea, or a rich cup of hot cocoa. I often set out a platter with these cookies during holiday get-togethers alongside a cheese board for a sweet-savory contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I like stacking these cookies in clear jars tied with a festive ribbon. You can also arrange them on a holiday platter dusted with holly sprigs or pine needles—presentation gets guests in the Christmas spirit right away!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I never had issues keeping them fresh for up to a week, and they stay soft and chewy if you layer parchment paper between stacks.

Freezing

I love freezing the unbaked dough logs wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil. When I want fresh cookies on a whim, I just slice and bake straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. This trick saves me when the holiday rush hits!

Reheating

If you want to freshen up cookies that have been stored, popping them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes revives their softness and reactivates that freshly baked aroma. Just don’t leave them too long or they’ll dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cherries instead of candied cherries?

Fresh cherries contain much more moisture and will change the dough consistency and baking time, so they’re not recommended. Candied cherries provide that sweet, chewy burst without adding unwanted moisture.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough properly is key to limiting spread. Also, slicing the logs to about ¼-inch thickness ensures the cookies bake evenly without flattening out too much.

Can I substitute the nuts for a nut-free option?

Yes! You can use seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds, or omit the nuts altogether. Just be aware the texture will be a bit different without that crunch.

What’s the best way to slice the dough logs?

A sharp serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion work best. You can also chill the logs until very firm to make slicing easier. Avoid pressing down hard to keep the slices intact.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe is one of those timeless treasures that I’m so happy to share with you. It’s simple, delicious, and loaded with festive charm that’s guaranteed to bring smiles around your kitchen table. Trust me, once these cookies are baked, they’ll become your go-to holiday favorite—so go ahead, give it a try and let that warm, cherry-nutty goodness fill your home this season!