Glazed Cherry Thumbprints: Sticky, sweet cherry jewels.:

A Cookie with a Secret

I first made these cookies for my grandson’s school bake sale. He said they looked like little jeweled crowns. I still laugh at that. The red cherry in the middle is the best part. It’s a sweet little secret hidden in a crunchy coat.

Why does this matter? Making food with love is a way to show you care. A simple cookie can make someone’s whole day better. What was the last treat that made you really happy?

The Crunchy, Sweet Surprise

The secret to the crunch is corn flakes. You mix them right into the dough. Then you roll the dough balls in more crushed flakes. It sounds funny, but trust me.

Fun fact: Corn flakes were originally created for a healthy breakfast! Now we use them for sweet, crunchy cookies. Isn’t that a fun twist? Doesn’t that smell amazing when they start to bake?

Getting Your Hands Happy

This is a great cookie to make with family. Everyone can help roll the dough balls. My grandkids love pressing the cherry piece into the center. It’s like a little thumbprint, hence the name.

Why does this matter? Cooking together creates the best memories. The mess and the laughter are part of the recipe. Do you have a favorite family recipe you make with others?

A Little Story from My Kitchen

One time, I ran out of dates. I used chopped dried apricots instead. My neighbor said they were the best batch yet! So don’t be afraid to try new things.

This little change taught me a good lesson. Recipes are like friendly guides, not strict rules. Have you ever changed a recipe and been surprised by the result?

Time for a Sweet Treat

Let the cookies cool completely on the rack. This is the hardest part! The wait makes that first bite even more special. The cherry gets all sticky and sweet.

I love having these with a cold glass of milk. The crunch and the sweet cherry are a perfect pair. I hope you enjoy making these little jewels in your own kitchen.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
all-purpose flour	2 cups
crushed corn flakes	1 cup
baking powder	1 teaspoon
baking soda	½ teaspoon
salt	½ teaspoon
shortening	1 cup
granulated sugar	1 cup
large eggs	2
half-and-half	2½ tablespoons
vanilla extract	1¼ teaspoon
roughly chopped pecans	1 cup
roughly chopped pitted dates	1 cup
finely chopped maraschino cherries	⅓ cup	patted dry
roughly crushed corn flakes	2 cups
maraschino cherries	15	patted dry and quartered

Glazed Cherry Thumbprints: Sticky, Sweet Jewels

Hello, my dear! Let’s bake some joy today. These cookies are my little treasures. I call them my cherry jewels. They are sticky, sweet, and full of good things. The cornflakes make them wonderfully crunchy. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

My granddaughter adores making the thumbprint part. She says it’s like giving each cookie a little bed. I still laugh at that. It’s a simple recipe, but it feels special. Let’s get our bowls ready. The oven is warming up, and so is my heart.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups cornflakes, crushed, plus more for rolling
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, plus whole pieces for topping

Instructions

Step 1: First, turn your oven to 375°F. This gets it nice and hot. Then, line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This stops the cookies from sticking. I learned that the hard way once! (A hard-learned tip: If you don’t have parchment, a light grease will do.)

Step 2: Now, grab a medium bowl. Whisk your flour, crushed corn flakes, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Just mix them all together. Setting this aside makes everything easier later. It’s like getting all your players on the field before the game.

Step 3: Time for the mixer! Beat the shortening and sugar for over a minute. You want it light and fluffy. It reminds me of sweet clouds. My old mixer has seen so many batches. Do you have a favorite kitchen tool? Share below!

Step 4: Lower the mixer speed. Add the eggs, one at a time. Mix well after each one. This helps them become friends with the butter. Then pour in the half-and-half and vanilla. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Mix just until you don’t see liquid anymore.

Step 5: Keep the mixer on low. Slowly add your flour mixture. Mix just until it’s all combined. Now, gently fold in the pecans, dates, and chopped cherries. This is the fun, chunky part. Every bite will have a surprise.

Step 6: Scoop the dough with a tablespoon. Roll each scoop in the crushed cornflakes. This gives them that magical crunch. Place the balls on your sheet, two inches apart. They need a little room to breathe. Press one cherry piece into the center of each.

Step 7: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. They are done when the bottom edge looks golden. Let them rest on the pan for a few minutes. This is very important. It keeps them from breaking. Then move them to a rack to cool completely.

Cook Time: 30min
Total Time: 45mins
Yield: 60 cookies
Category: Dessert, Cookies

My Favorite Twists on This Classic

This recipe is like a good friend. It’s happy to change its clothes sometimes. You can try so many fun things. Here are a few ideas I love to play with.

• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled cookies. It’s so pretty.
• Orange Zest: Add a little orange zest to the dough. It makes the cherry flavor sing.
• Cranberry Swap: Use dried cranberries instead of dates. It’s a lovely, tart change.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Cherry Jewels

These cookies are stars all on their own. But I love making a plate look extra special. Place them on a pretty vintage plate. It reminds me of my mother’s kitchen. The red cherries just pop.

They are perfect with a cold glass of milk. That’s my grandson’s favorite way. For the grown-ups, a sweet dessert wine is lovely. Or a hot cup of herbal tea on a chilly afternoon. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Cherry Thumbprints Fresh

These cookies stay yummy for a week. Just keep them in a sealed container. I like to use a cookie tin with a tight lid.

You can also freeze the dough for a future treat. Roll the dough balls and coat them in cornflakes. Then, freeze them on a tray before bagging them up.

I once baked a whole batch for a surprise visit. Having dough in the freezer saved the day. My grandson thought I was a kitchen magician.

Batch cooking like this saves you time and energy. It means a fresh, home-baked cookie is always close by. That is a wonderful feeling.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Happy Baking

Is your dough too sticky? Just chill it for twenty minutes. Cold dough is much easier to handle.

Are the cornflakes not sticking well? Gently press the dough ball into the flakes. This helps them stay put for a pretty look.

I remember when my first cookies spread too much. My shortening was too soft from the warm kitchen. Now I make sure it is cool.

Getting the texture right builds your cooking confidence. A small fix can make your food taste so much better. That is why these details matter.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Cherry Thumbprint Questions Answered

Q: Can I make these gluten-free?

A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Also, check that your cornflakes are gluten-free.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead?

A: Absolutely. The dough balls keep well in the fridge for two days.

Q: What can I use instead of dates?

A: Try using raisins or dried cranberries. They add a similar chewy sweetness.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch?

A: Of course. Just cut all the ingredients in half. You will get about thirty cookies.

Q: Is the half-and-half important?

A: It makes the cookies tender. But milk works in a pinch. *Fun fact: The cornflakes add a wonderful crunch!*

Which tip will you try first?

Bake Some Sweet Memories

I hope you love baking these little cherry jewels. They always make my kitchen feel warm and happy.

I would be so thrilled to see your creations. Please share a picture of your cookie plate. It makes my day to see your baking adventures.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Lena Morales.