Okay, I finally have something Valentines-y for you today! Soft, amazing, cherry almond cookies; or cherry do-dads as we call them!
I must say, I am a horrible food blogger. I made these yesterday. Took pictures and posted it immediately. What can I say, I don’t plan ahead well when it comes to food. I’ve been meaning to start menu planning our meals for, oooohh, about 5 years now. Maybe longer. I think I’ve actually done it 5 or 6 times. IN FIVE YEARS! I have issues.
It’s so bizarre, because in the rest of my life, I am super organized. It’s actually a character trait that I would use to describe myself. And I know for a fact that other people would describe me that way too. But for some unfathomable reason I can’t seem to get my act together when it comes to the kitchen. You know, the one part of my life I decide to throw up on the internet for the world to see. Why organize that?!
Anyhow, Valentine’s Day. Apparently it’s coming up? And as a food blogger, I’m supposed to be giving you Valentines-y type recipes and things? Evidently.
At least that’s what everyone else seems to be doing. So I suppose I should get on board. But instead of planning ahead (which I didn’t) I’m kind of winging it here. I’ll do better on the next holiday, I promise. Maybe. I HAVE been trying to start planning for 5 years, so we will see if having a blog makes me actually finally do it. I’m kind of hoping.
But these squares didn’t need any work or experimenting or anything, so they were the perfect thing to make at the last minute. This recipe is my mother-in-laws, and it’s a family favourite. I didn’t change anything, except adding a bit of almond flavouring to the cookie base because I love cherries and almond flavouring together. If you’re not a fan, leave it out and make the actual original recipe! Also, I’m not sure how many my mother-in-law usually made from a pan, but I cut it into 24 squares. They were quite large, so I think you could easily make them smaller if you prefer. Also, more cherries that way!
This is basically a soft almond flavoured cookie with a cherry pie centre. Cherry do-dads is what they were always called, and it’s such a cute name that I just couldn’t change it. So cherry do-dads they are! And they’re amazing.
Try these for a Valentine’s Day treat, they’re perfect. Quick, easy, soft cherry almond cookies. If you’re super creative, you could probably even make the cherry centre look kind of like a heart. I, of course, am not. I went with fast and easy!
Sidenote: I am taking off next week to a hot and sunny place (yay!) with my hubby to celebrate 15 years of marriage! I have a few posts scheduled to run, but will not be answering questions or comments for the next week. I’ll get to them, just a little later than usual!
Cherry Do-Dads
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon almond flavouring
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 can cherry pie filling
- powdered sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Adjust the upper rack so it is in the middle of the oven, if these are baked on the lower racks they will burn. Lightly spray a rimmed 12x16 inch cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, lemon juice and almond flavouring, and mix until well combined. Add the flour and salt and mix again.
- Spread the dough on the prepared baking sheet in an even layer over the whole pan. With a knife, lightly mark the batter into a grid of 24 squares (6 by 4). If you would like smaller cookies you could mark smaller squares at this point. In the center of each square, place one cherry with a bit of pie filling.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the squares are set. Allow to cool completely in the pan, then cut into squares and store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. The cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Notes
Source: My mother-in-law!
We are an entire fmilay trying to be gluten, sugar & soy free for many reasons. We thought we would never be able to have cookies again, then I stumbled on this site. My kids and I just made these this morning. They are amazing!! Next time we will try with Stevia.
Thanks! I’m so glad you liked them. Mine aren’t sugar or gluten free though, did you just replace with a gluten free flour? Good to know if that works well! Let me know how they turn out with Stevia if you try it! 🙂
These look wonderful! You are definitely not a horrible blogger. If what you’re doing works for you, then be a rebel. 😀
Hahaha, thanks Erin! Whatever works right?! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
How gorgeous are these cookies?! I love the cherry pie in the center and I freakin’ LOVE the name! Too cute. 🙂
Thanks so much Sarah! Isn’t it the best name?! I couldn’t change it! 🙂
How have I never heard of a do-dad before? Clearly I need to start making up for lost time!
Haha, not sure if it’s a common name, might just be what my mother-in-law called them, I don’t know! Whatever, they’re tasty! Thanks Erin!
These cookies look AWESOME.. and perfect too. I definitely could devour a couple right now!
Thanks Thalia!
I do try to plan and make the food and take pics at least a month ahead but finding the time to edit the pictures and write the posts is a different story. My kids are still small so the only time I get time to write is at night when they are sleeping and sometimes my daughter still wakes up a few times night so finding the peace and quiet time to post is the hardest for me. You’re totally not a bad food blogger, we all need to unplug sometimes 🙂 Love these cherry do dads, they’re gorgeous and perfect for Valentine’s Day! Happy Anniversary, hope you and your hubs have a wonderful time!
Thanks so much Kelly! We are leaving really cold weather so I’m looking forward to that sun!
I usually have ideas for the next few weeks but don’t actually get them done and ready to publish ahead of time. I don’t worry about that though…it’s more my food photography skills that need work.
And just to clarify, you are NOT a horrible food blogger – quite the opposite actually! These Do-Dads look delicious and easy to make – thanks for sharing. Happy anniversary and enjoy the warm weather!
Thank you so much for your kind comments Jim!
These look so pretty Stacey! 🙂 and I’m not great with planning either..I make and I share it..the only time I had some post scheduled was during the winter break! I need to plan better!
Haha, glad I’m not the only one Manali! Thanks!
These look lovely! I’m including them in my Valentine’s Day Roundup!
Thanks so much Mira!
Stacey these look super delicious and my planning ahead is my weakest link if I say so! Still working on it!! Hehe
Haha, glad I’m not the only one! Thanks Ami!
I’m the EXACT same way. My post today was dinner last night! Someday we will get ahead! I also like writing in real time so… there’s always that? Anyway, I’m loving these Cherry Do-Dads. Never tried anything like them, thanks so much for sharing and keeping it real!
Well good, I’m glad I’m not the only one!! Thanks Senika!
I usually try to stay a month ahead of myself, at least with the recipe making! The actual posts are another thing…I try to stay at least a week ahead so that I’m not so overwhelmed! These bars look delicious! Love the name and filling, so perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Thanks Gayle! That is my goal to eventually get at least a month ahead with the recipes, I hate being so disorganized! Oh well, I’ll figure out the timing eventually!
I’m terrible at scheduling our dinner menu but I do plan ahead for the blog. I only plan a month ahead though and never schedule the post more than a few days ahead. I’m still struggling with the whole time management thing. These do-dads look so soft and light. They are beautiful!
Isn’t the time management thing awful? I was so ahead in December, but then I decided to totally unplug and be with my family and no computer while the kids were off school for the break, which was great, but now I’m crazy behind again! Oh well. I’ll get ahead again eventually! Thanks Jen!
I actually wish I planned LESS ahead. I’m scheduling my June posts. So I make a recipe, get excited and then CAN’T SHARE IT YET. So sad.
Other things I can’t share? THESE. Love the almond and cherry combo girl! Pinned!
Thanks Taylor! Also, June?! Really? Wow, I need to get a little more ahead apparently. This one was literally made the day I typed it up, but usually I’m lucky if I’m a week or two ahead of myself. It’s starting to get a little annoying. I need to try and start planning a little more! Thanks for pinning!
OMG!! Taylor planning posts for June?!! Girl you win the best planner award!! Seriously I need tips girlfriend!! 🙂