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 truly magical about reaching for a cookie that’s bursting with chopped nuts and bright bits of cherry—fresh, festive, and utterly delicious. This Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe is a classic that’s been a holiday favorite in my kitchen for years, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

The image shows a pile of round cookies with a pale beige base, speckled with bright red pieces of cherries and small bits of nuts baked inside. The cookies have a rough texture with slightly browned edges, sitting on a metal cooling rack. The red pieces are embedded unevenly, adding vibrant pops of color throughout each cookie. The close-up view highlights the crumbly surface and dense inside of the cookies. The background is 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

This cookie mix somehow balances nutty richness with sweet bursts of cherry in every bite, making it a standout holiday treat—and it’s surprisingly easy to pull together, which is golden when you’re juggling a million things before the holidays.

Classic Holiday Flavor: The combination of nuts and candied cherries evokes that nostalgic Christmas feeling we all crave.
Easy Prep: The dough comes together quickly and chills overnight, letting you bake fresh cookies whenever you want.
Perfect Texture: Crisp edges with just a touch of chewiness in the center—exactly how I love my Christmas cookies.
Great for Gifting: These charming little rounds are easy to package and share with friends and family.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe is how simple ingredients come together to create a festive flavor sensation. Each element plays a role, so using good quality basics makes a huge difference.

Flat lay of a stick of fresh unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of fine powdered sugar, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing chopped mixed nuts, and a small white ceramic bowl of glossy bright red candied cherries, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed 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: Provides richness and tenderness. I always use unsalted so I can control the salt level.
Powdered Sugar: Keeps the dough silky-smooth and helps the cookies stay tender.
Egg: Binds everything together while adding moisture.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth—don’t skimp here, especially during the holidays!
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the dough, giving structure to your cookies.
Chopped Nuts: I like using walnuts for their hearty flavor and crunch, but pecans also work beautifully.
Candied Cherries: These fun pops of sweetness make the cookies unmistakably Christmassy. I tend to roughly chop larger cherries so they distribute evenly.

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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

One of my favorite things about this Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste—or dietary needs. Sometimes I swap nuts or add extra spice to keep things exciting.

Nut Swap: I once tried it with chopped pecans instead of walnuts, and it brought a buttery richness that made everyone ask for seconds.
Spice it Up: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or allspice to the dough gives a lovely warming note that complements the cherries beautifully.
Cherry Variations: If candied cherries feel too sweet, try dried tart cherries for a tangier touch.
Nut-Free Option: Simply omit nuts and add extra cherries or even white chocolate chips for an allergy-friendly twist.

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

The image shows several round cookies placed close together on a baking paper. Each cookie has a light beige base with visible red cherry pieces and small bits of nuts embedded throughout. The cookies have a soft texture and slightly uneven edges, with the red cherry pieces providing bright spots of color against the lighter dough. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

I start by creaming together the butter and powdered sugar until it’s light and fluffy; this usually takes about 3-4 minutes with my stand mixer. This step is crucial for that tender yet tender crumb—it’s where your cookies get their lovely texture.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla for That Warm Aroma

Next, I beat in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly. The vanilla lift brings a beautiful warm scent that just shouts holiday vibes. Don’t rush here—make sure it’s well combined but don’t overmix.

Step 3: Gently Fold in Flour, Nuts, and Cherries

Lower your mixer speed, or fold by hand, and add the flour, chopped nuts, and candied cherries carefully. You want everything just combined—overmixing will toughen the dough. The bits of cherry give these cookies their joyful, festive look.

Step 4: Chill the Dough Logs for an Hour

I shape the dough into two logs, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and let them chill in the fridge for at least one hour. This step helps the dough firm up so the slices hold their shape in the oven and keeps those cherries nicely distributed.

Step 5: Slice and Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Then slice the chilled logs into rounds about ¼-inch thick. Arrange them on a baking sheet with some space to spread. Bake for 13-15 minutes until the edges are set and just starting to turn golden. Watch closely—these cookies can go from perfect to overdone really fast!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tweaks that have made this Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe more foolproof and even tastier. These tips have saved me from some holiday baking disasters and will help you nail this recipe every time.

Perfect Chilling: Don’t skip the one-hour chill. It firms the dough, which means cleaner slices and prettier cookies.
Careful Slicing: Use a sharp knife to slice the dough logs smoothly without squishing the cherries out.
Keep an Eye in the Oven: Because every oven is different, start checking your cookies at 13 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Storage Longevity: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container layered between parchment sheets to keep them crisp and fresh longer.

How to Serve Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe

Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to dust my Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving—just enough to mimic a snowy dusting. Sometimes, I'll add a few whole cherries or nut halves on the tray to jazz up the presentation.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced tea, mulled wine, or rich hot cocoa. For a festive party, I serve them alongside a cheese board with dried fruits and nuts—combining sweet and savory is always a crowd-pleaser.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve wrapped these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon, perfect for giving as little gifts. Another idea is arranging them on a tiered holiday cookie stand alongside other varieties, making a colorful and inviting centerpiece for any gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, I store these Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies in an airtight tin at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to a week, retaining that lovely slight crunch around the edges with a tender middle.

Freezing

This dough freezes beautifully, which is a game-changer during the busy holiday season. I wrap the logs tightly in plastic and foil, then freeze. When I’m ready to bake, I slice directly from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

If your cookies lose a bit of crispness after storing, a quick 5-minute warm-up in a 300°F oven refreshes them perfectly. Just don’t leave them in too long or they’ll dry out, so keep an eye on them.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the nuts with something else?

Yes! If you have a nut allergy or prefer a different texture, try sunflower seeds or omit the nuts entirely and add more cherries or white chocolate chips. The cookies will still hold their festive charm.

What’s the best way to chop candied cherries?

I recommend chopping them roughly into smaller pieces to distribute their sweetness evenly throughout the dough. If they’re too large, they can cause the cookie to break apart.

Can I make this cookie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough logs and keep them wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking, or freeze them for longer storage. Just slice and bake when you’re ready.

Why is powdered sugar used instead of granulated sugar?

Powdered sugar helps create a softer, more tender cookie texture because it dissolves more easily into the butter than granulated sugar, making these cookies delightfully tender rather than crunchy.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Nut Cherry Cookies Recipe has a special place in my holiday traditions. Each cookie carries little bursts of festive cheer, and I love how simple yet satisfying they are to bake. I hope you give it a try—you might just find your new favorite holiday go-to too!