Moonshine Cherry Blossoms

Recipe Type: Cookies

Author: Briana

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 mins (including chilling)

Cook Time: 11 mins

Total Time: 1 hour 26 mins

Servings: Makes about 48 cookies

• 1 cup (240g) butter (must be the “real” stuff – we recommend Land O Lakes), softened
• 1 cup (120g) sifted powdered sugar (do NOT skip the sifting!)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 teaspoons Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine cherry “juice”
• 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 2 1/4 cups (270g) all-purpose flour (sift this too!)
• 1/2 cup chopped Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine cherries (I like to re-measure once chopped to make sure I have “enough”)
• Granulated sugar
• 48 Hershey’s kisses (If you have access to the ones with the macadamia centers – I highly recommend them for these cookies, but regular milk chocolate kisses work just as well.)

How to Make Moonshine Cherry Blossoms

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter on high speed for 30 seconds.
3. Add sifted powdered sugar and salt; beat until combined. Remember to keep scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
4. Beat in cherry liquid and almond extract until combined.
5. Mix in the flour, and then stir in the cherries with a wooden spoon.
6. Chill the dough for at least an hour. This step is optional, but it makes the dough easier to work with later.
7. Unwrap all the Hershey’s kisses and set them aside.
8. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, rolling them in your hand.
9. Gently flatten the balls into a disk.
10. Dip in granulated sugar, covering all sides of the dough.
11. Place the balls 2 inches apart on an un-greased cookie sheet.
12. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, just until the bottom edges are lightly browned.
13. Remove each baking sheet of cookies from the oven and immediately press a Hershey’s kiss into the middle of the hot cookies.
14. Let them cool for about five minutes, and carefully move the cookies to a cooling rack without disturbing the soft Hershey’s kiss.
15. Cool completely before storing in a single layer in an airtight container.

Expert Tips

• The quality of butter matters, so use “real” butter for the best results.
• Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
• Feel free to experiment with different Hershey’s Kisses flavors for a unique twist on this classic recipe.

Storage and Leftovers

Store Moonshine Cherry Blossoms in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to three months. Reheat in the oven for a warm, gooey treat.

FAQs

Q: Can I use a different type of moonshine or cherry liqueur? A: While Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine provides a unique flavor, you can experiment with other cherry liqueurs or extracts for a similar effect.

Q: Can I make the dough in advance and bake the cookies later? A: Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.

Q: Can I use gluten-free flour? A: Absolutely! Gluten-free all-purpose flour can be used as a substitute for traditional flour.

Alternate Names

• Cherry Moonshine Blossom Cookies
• Tennessee Cherry Delights
• Ole Smoky Kissed Blossoms