Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F
- Drain maraschino cherries on paper towels; pat dry to remove any excess liquid.
- Set cherries aside.
- Beat butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
- Beat in the 1/2 cup powdered sugar, almond extract, and vanilla until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally.
- Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer.
- Stir in any remaining flour, nuts, and cherries with a wooden spoon.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
- Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until bottoms are lightly brown.
- Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheets on wire racks.
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar to coat and transfer cookies to wire racks and cool completely.
- If desired, roll cooled cookies in additional powdered sugar before serving. Makes about 48 balls.
- *NOTE: To toast nuts, spread them in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a preheated 325F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until nuts are slightly golden brown, stirring once or twice. Cool completely. Chop nuts and set aside.
- TO STORE: Place cookies in layers separated by pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen, before serving.