Tag Archives: cherry

Cherry Chocolate Cookies

24 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in Baking, Bloggerific, Cookies, Desserts, Events, Holidays, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

IMG_5777

Who doesn’t love Cherry and Chocolate together? They are made for each other. Although…chocolate is made for a lot of things…chocolate orange, almond chocolate…wait. Don’t even get me started. Back to these Cherry Chocolate Cookies.

IMG_5771

Although Cherry and Chocolate are good together at any time, these cookies make me think of Christmas, just a little bit…First of all, they are a wonderful pink/red color, and they look great sitting next to Grinch Cookies. Oh god, there’s another great chocolate combo…mint chocolate chip!

IMG_5769

If you haven’t figured it out already, I’m a little distracted today, going off on random tangents everywhere. Moving on…The original recipe calls for Hershey Kisses to be placed in the middle, but I can’t handle that…I absolutely hate thumbprint cookies because you don’t get chocolate in every bite. I am all about even distribution. Mixing in your choice of chocolate chips brings the cherry-chocolate combo to its peak. Go for it!

cherry chocolate cookies

Cherry Chocolate Cookies

Servings: approximately 36 cookies

Adapted from The Curvy Carrot

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, but still cool
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons maraschino cherry juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
  • 1 cup dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. Use an electric mixer to beat the butter at medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.

3. Reduce the speed to the lowest setting and slowly add the powdered sugar and salt.

4. Add the cherry juice and the almond extract until combined.

5. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the flour, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

6. Increase the mixer speed to medium and add the cherries.

7. Fold in chocolate chips.

8.  Bake the cookies until the bottoms are lightly browned, about 14 minutes.

9.  Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Advertisements

Sour Cherry Martini

24 Thursday May 2012

Posted by in Boozy, Easy, Entertaining

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

When my aunt Paula typed the words “sour cherry martini” over iChat one day, I think my mouth literally dropped. I wanted one right there, that second, which was probably at about 2PM on a Tuesday…but at least it was 5 o’clock on the east coast, right?

It took me awhile to finally get my butt over to Whole Foods and seek out the Tart Cherry juice they have on hand. I’m sure you can find the stuff elsewhere, but if you need a Sour Cherry Martini right now just go to Whole Foods for the Love of God!

All you need for an awesome tastes-like-it’s-from-a-fancy-bar Martini…Tart Cherry Juice, Cherry Vodka, and the squeeze of a lemon.

I waited way too long to make one of these…They are just too easy and too good. And I am too big of a wimp to handle the classic straight-booze martinis, but I am not always into the ones that are super sweet. This one hits right in the middle. Smooth, with a hint of sour-sweetness. Perfect.

A big Thanks to Paula and Susan who provided me with this wonderful recipe. I have many fond memories of summers past with the perfect cocktail in their backyard…and I will think of them as I drink this one in mine.

Recipe
Sour Cherry Martini

  • 1 shot cherry flavored vodka
  • 1/2 shot tart cherry juice (can be found @ Whole Foods)
  • Squeeze of a quarter lemon

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake for about 10 seconds and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon if you wish.