Cherry Drops

MAKES: 60 cookies

COOK TIME: 10 Min

These colorful cookies will add that festive touch to any cookie platter this holiday season. The recipe for Cherry Drops is so easy, you'll want to make these all year long!

What You'll Need

3 sticks butter, softened
1 (3-ounce) package cherry-flavored gelatin
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
60 maraschino cherries with stems, drained on paper towels
White decorative crystal sugar for sprinkling

What to Do

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add gelatin and sugar and beat until well mixed. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually add flour and baking powder; mix well.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheets. Flatten with bottom of glass, and make an indentation in center of each cookie with your thumb. Place a cherry in indentation and sprinkle with sugar crystals.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

If you prefer, you can use cherries without stems and you can even cut them in half. Whatever works best for you!
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dakota4u 3937825

Mar 16, 2021

I made these using a St. Patrick's Day theme, using lime Jello and green food coloring. Also added a dab of frosting to the indenture then the cherry. Turned out awesome and delicious.

sewshats 8660791

Feb 17, 2014

Can you use sugar free jello in this recipe?

Test Kitchen Team

Feb 18, 2014

You can use sugar free gelatin, just remember to remove the 1 cup of sugar.

grannytina1 272961 6

Dec 08, 2016

Interesting recipe am thinking of trying these but why would you tell someone to remove the cup of sugar if using jello with NO SUGAR? Without any sugar at all the cookies would not rise and be bad tasting I will try using the sugar free jello AND the one cup of sugar

nancyb49 9930774

Dec 17, 2013

I have been making cookies with a cherry in the center for years with no problems. I always freeze them, and the cherry always looks good. I use maraschino cherries.

shirleyb1950 98708 10

Dec 15, 2013

Thanks for this recipe. A friend of mine and I are making Christmas goodies to give out to our church and this recipe will be a great addition. Thanks again.

txnona

Dec 12, 2013

These look great. I think a chocolate drizzle over the top would look and taste nice too.

bobbicat6

Dec 12, 2013

I would like to know how these are to be stored?

Test Kitchen Team

Dec 13, 2013

You can store them in an air tight container or you can even freeze them to eat at a later time. Enjoy!

brightice

Dec 12, 2013

What about using lime jello and make cherry lime drops?

renee9miller 03337 42

Dec 12, 2013

How would you store these, in the frig or in a container on the cupboard. Just wondering if the cherry gets funny. Any answers

michellelowther 19 34987

Dec 12, 2013

I was just sitting here thinking, how hard would it be to make green kisses out of white chocolate and some green food coloring. Festive. I think I will try it today and put them on top of the cherry cookies.

funsizecowgirl72 4 187454

Dec 07, 2013

Has anyone added chocolate chips 2 this recipe

pwall 6609295

Dec 12, 2013

Yes, I added mini chocolate chips and they work great! Beautiful (and yummy) addition.

grannyblu

Jan 08, 2013

Beautiful and delicious!