Description
Irresistible Black Forest Christmas Cookies to Delight You
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (use more for dusting as needed.)
- 0.5 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (provides deep chocolate flavor.)
- 0.5 teaspoons baking soda (acts as a leavening agent.)
- 0.25 teaspoons salt (enhances flavor.)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened.)
- 0.75 cups granulated sugar (adds sweetness.)
- 0.5 cups light brown sugar (adds moisture.)
- 1 large egg (binds ingredients together.)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (enhances cookie flavor.)
- 0.5 teaspoons almond extract (complements the chocolate.)
- 1 jar maraschino cherries (10-ounce, drained and chopped.)
- 0.25 cups cherry preserves (for gooey filling.)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (thickens filling.)
- 1 tablespoon Kirsch (cherry liqueur) (optional.)
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (finely chopped.)
- 0.33 cups heavy cream (for ganache.)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (adds richness.)
- white chocolate shavings (for decoration.)
- sprinkles (for added fun.)
- powdered sugar (for dusting.)
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Cream the mixtures in a large bowl with softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Incorporate the egg along with the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Combine the ingredients by gradually adding the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
- Chill the dough by dividing it in half and refrigerating for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough until about ¼ inch thick.
- Cut out the centers using a smaller cookie cutter on half of the cookies.
- Transfer each cookie to the baking sheets, allowing space between them.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
- Cool on sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Prepare the ganache by heating the heavy cream and pouring it over the chopped chocolate.
- Stir gently after letting it sit for 1 minute until smooth.
- Mix in the butter until fully incorporated.
- Spread ganache on the flat side of each whole cookie.
- Add cherry filling onto the center of the ganache.
- Top with other cookies that have cut-out centers.
- Drizzle remaining ganache over the assembled cookies.
- Decorate with white chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or powdered sugar.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Notes
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 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
Keywords: Black Forest Christmas Cookies, Christmas cookies, chocolate cookies, festive treats