Description
These Black Forest Christmas Cookies are a delightful combination of chocolate and cherries, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (gluten-free flour can be used)
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (ensure it’s unsweetened)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (can be substituted with vanilla)
- 1 cup maraschino cherries (drained)
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon Kirsch (optional)
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
- 1 cup heavy cream (heated)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- white chocolate shavings
- sprinkles
- powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Mix in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, ensuring everything is well incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix gently until just combined.
- Divide the dough, flatten it into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- In a saucepan, cook chopped maraschino cherries, cherry preserves, and cornstarch over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until thickened.
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thick and cut shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place the cookies on the prepared sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets before transferring them to wire racks.
- In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream. Pour it over semi-sweet chocolate and stir until smooth.
- Spread ganache on the full cookie bottoms, add a dollop of cherry filling, and top with cookie tops.
- Drizzle additional ganache on top and sprinkle with white chocolate shavings or sprinkles.
- Chill the assembled cookies briefly in the refrigerator to set.
Notes
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg