Make Ahead Cherry Christmas Slices Recipe

These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth Cherry Christmas Slices are a holiday baking MUST! Make a big batch ahead of time – the dough freezes beautifully for up to 2 months – so you'll always have delicious cookies ready for Christmas guests or festive gatherings. This easy recipe combines the rich flavor of buttery shortbread with sweet cherries and crunchy pecans for an unforgettable treat. Perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself!

Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Calories 30.8 kcal
Protein 0g
Rating 5.0 (2 Reviews)
Make Ahead Cherry Christmas Slices 27

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Make Ahead Cherry Christmas Slices

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How to Make Make Ahead Cherry Christmas Slices

  1. Cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
  2. Beat in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  3. Gradually add 3 cups all-purpose flour, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  4. Stir in 1 cup dried cherries (or 1 1/2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and chopped) and 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
  5. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) to make it easier to handle.
  6. Shape the chilled dough into three 10-inch long rolls on a lightly floured surface.
  7. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe zip-top bag.
  8. Freeze for up to 2 months.
  9. To bake: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
  10. Remove a roll from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to slightly soften.
  11. Slice the roll into 1/8-inch thick slices.
  12. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  13. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
  14. Remove cookies from baking sheets and let cool completely on wire racks before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

0 g

Sugar

3g

Fat

4g

Carbs

0g