Tasty Almond Cherry Bites (Printable Version)

Rich, tender bites with cherry surprises, crowned with bright icing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cookies

01 - 3/4 cup ground silvered almonds
02 - 1 cup softened butter
03 - 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
05 - 2 1/4 cups plain flour
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 8 ounces jar cherries with stems removed and cut in half, save 1 teaspoon juice
08 - Red sugar for decoration

→ Frosting

09 - 2 cups confectioners' sugar
10 - 1 tablespoon juice from the cherries
11 - 1 teaspoon almond extract
12 - 2-3 tablespoons milk

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) before starting.
02 - Mix the soft butter with confectioners' sugar and vanilla in a big bowl until smooth.
03 - Stir together the flour, salt, and ground almonds in another bowl. Add this mix to the butter mixture and blend well.
04 - Grab a spoonful of dough, make a small hole in the center, and pop in half a cherry. Wrap the dough around the cherry to make a ball. Put it on a paper-lined tray and press down slightly.
05 - Cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-9 minutes until the edges start turning light brown. Take them out and let them cool down.
06 - Combine confectioners' sugar with cherry juice and almond extract in a small bowl. Add just enough milk to make it easy for dipping.
07 - Dunk the tops into the frosting, turn them over, and set on a wire rack. Scatter red sugar on top.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For soft, not crumbly dough, don't pack your flour. Just spoon it gently into your cup and level it off with a knife.
02 - The cherry inside each cookie gives a nice surprise when you bite in.
03 - Don't swap for fresh cherries as they're too juicy and will mess up your cookie texture.
04 - Keep your cookies in a sealed container at room temp and they'll stay good for up to three days.