Cherry Chip Cookies

My Aunt Lela used to make these delicious cherry chip cookies.  I am so glad I asked her for this recipe when I was about 12 years old.  Every time I make these cookies it brings back wonderful memories of my Aunt Lela.  

Unfortunately, since around 2023, I haven't been able to find cherry baking chips in stores.  If you're having the same problem, you can try making your own by flavoring melted white chocolate with cherry extract, tinting it with a little red food coloring and piping or dropping small dollops onto parchment paper to harden.  Another option is to use candy morsel molds to create uniform, chip-sized pieces.  You could also thinly spread the cherry flavored chocolate onto a cookie sheet and chop it into small pieces using a knife once it has hardened.  I haven't tried any of these methods yet, so if you do, please let me know in the comments if you had success making your own chips.

2 1/4 c. flour

1/8 tsp. salt

1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened

1/2 c. sugar

1 egg yolk

1 tsp. almond extract

3/4 c. cornflakes

1 c. cherry chips

1-2 TBS sugar, for top of cookies

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Sift together flour and salt.  In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.  Mix the egg yolk and almond extract into the butter mixture.  Add the flour and salt, mix to combine.  Add in the cornflakes and cherry chips.  Roll dough into 1-inch balls and lightly press the dough down with a fork.  Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with sugar.

Bake at 375F for 12 minutes.

Makes ~50 cookies

Source:  Lela Z.

Kimberly