Cherry Blossom Cookies


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Cherry Blossom Cookies

Have you ever visited D.C. in the springtime?

If you have, you know all about the cherry blossoms. The trees are beyond gorgeous, with little delicate pink blossoms sprinkled all over the tidal basin. It’s so lovely. It’s also mega-crowded. The tourists come from everywhere to see the blossoms, and it’s almost impossible to walk. People just shuffle along, elbow to elbow, taking awkward selfies.

Still, cherry blossoms in D.C. mean spring, warm breezes, and fun cookie flavors. How could I not try to put all that cherry blossom aura into a cookie? So I did.

Cherry Blossom Cookies

In general, there’s a lot of excitement in the air. I teach high school seniors, and their final exams are next week. If they didn’t mentally check out weeks ago, you can bet they’re long gone by now. Some of them stop turning in homework or coming to class with a shamelessness that would shock their parents, if they knew. If.

Cherry Blossom Cookies

Every year, I sit through graduation as multiple emotions assail me. I get hit with good feelings, like pride and flat-out happiness, but I also get annoyed sometimes at the kids who cross the stage who gave everything minimal to no effort. I wonder if they’ll keep doing that, or if they’ll learn to take the chances they have and treasure them.

In the end, though, I try to focus on the positive. Everyone looks nice, the ceremony is celebratory, and best of all, there are cherry blossom cookies in the world!

Cherry Blossom Cookies

These are soft-baked cookies with Nestle bling. Not only are they filled with Nestle cherry-filled chocolate chips, but they’re also studded with spring color chocolate chips. Aren’t they cute? I’m all about cute.

Cherry Blossom Cookies

A few weeks ago, a student made a cookie recipe from my blog and as soon as I saw the cookies, I knew she’d broken the cardinal rule: chill the dough. Do not skip this step! It’s vital. Also, subbing in some almond extract for vanilla is key to giving these cookies their distinct flavor. The almond complements the cherry perfectly.

Cherry Blossom Cookies

It’s tourist season here in D.C., which coincides with graduation, spring, and all things warm and wonderful. Enjoy some cherry blossom cookies! It’s a lot easier than fighting the crowds at the tidal basin.

 

Cherry Blossom Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 and 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Nestle cherry-filled chocolate chips
1/2 cup Nestle spring edition chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the egg and the egg yolk, incorporating both fully. Finally, add the vanilla and almond extracts.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add the mixture to the wet ingredients and mix well. Fold in the cherry-filled chocolate chips and spring edition chocolate chips.
  3. Cover the dough and chill anywhere from 3 hours to overnight.
  4. When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
  5. Using about 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of dough, form tall mounds and place them about 2 inches apart on your cookie sheets. Bake for 11-12 minutes. Do not leave them in any longer!
  6. Cool cookies completely. Store in an airtight container. NOTE: Cookies are MUCH better on the second day!
https://justaboutbaked.com/cherry-blossom-cookies/

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 38 Comments

  1. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    I have never visited D.C (apart from going through the train station), but I hope to this September.
    I actually have a cherry blossom tattoo.
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Quorn Meat Free Sausage, Roast Pepper and Rocket Salad by DanniiMy Profile

    1. Mir

      September is a great time to come! Not too hot, the tourists are gone, and usually pretty sunny! That’s so cool about the tattoo. I think cherry blossoms are beautiful!

  2. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

    How have I not heard of cherry filled chocolate chips?! I need these in my life. 🙂 I’ve only been to D.C. once in my life and it was during the spring. Luckily, my sister and I did our tourism during the week, so it wasn’t as busy as I thought it would be. I can’t believe you’re done with school next week, Mir. We’re still in session until June 18th!
    Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Salted Caramel Heath Crunch CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      They’re so good, Erin. You can get them at Target or a lot of grocery stores.
      And just the seniors are done. Everyone else is here through the 17th, so we’re right there with you!

  3. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Oh I love that you made cherry blossom cookies after all of the pretty trees in your area! These cookies look like the perfect start to a Monday. Love the flavors!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…No-Bake Blackberry CheesecakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      The trees in this area are pretty amazing. I never realized so many blossoming ones existed until moving to DC! And they’re lovely enough to deserve cookies named after them.

  4. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    I’ve never actually seen them with my own eyes in DC but definitely know about the cherry blossoms. love these cookies!!!! yes, I can’t believe it’s almost June and school is almost over! Where did the year go?! it totally flew by. . those are some great reflections that you have during graduation . . I’ve often wondered the teachers think about. . last week I was volunteering in my daughter’s classroom (I do twice a month) and jokingly asked her teacher, “How happy are you that the school year is almost over?” and she was like “I’m sad, I’m going to miss these kids . .” it was so sweet!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Corn and Black Bean Tortilla TartMy Profile

    1. Mir

      The years get faster and faster, Alice. At least, I feel that way. And I do miss the kids, but then new wonderful kids come in (usually), so it’s fun to meet new people every year. It’s like a parade of personalities, in my life and then out. And I can bet that most teachers are spacing out during graduation. I try to concentrate, but it’s hard!

  5. Renee@Two in the Kitchen

    I would LOVE to visit DC in the spring to see those beautiful Cherry Blossoms! These cookies look pretty and yummy too!!
    Renee@Two in the Kitchen recently posted…Peanut Butter Sandwich CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s worth seeing once, Renee! The pink everywhere is just so pretty. And DC has some great bakeries, too!

  6. Sam @ SugarSpunRun

    I don’t know that I could handle the crowds in DC (and I only live about 2 hours away yet I’ve never been to see the cherry blossoms) but I could certainly handle some of these cookies right about now. Very cute!
    Sam @ SugarSpunRun recently posted…Nutella Cream Cheese BlondiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      The crowds are crazy. The best time to visit is in early fall, when everyone is back to work and school and the city is emptier. I always love being a tourist in my own city. Thanks, Sam!

  7. mira

    Wow, cherry blossom cookies? These sound and look delicious! I once visited DC in the winter and it was cold 🙂 Would love to be there in the spring !
    mira recently posted…Mediterranean Style Rainbow Quinoa SaladMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Yep, would not recommend coming in the winter. Spring is lovely, fall is lovely. I love hot DC summers too, but there are tourists everywhere. I like to go places they miss. Thanks, Mira!

  8. Wendy

    These Cherry Blossom cookies are brilliant, MIR! I bought some of the Delightfulls cherry filled chips (along with the mint and the caramel!) a while ago and haven’t seen a great way to use them….until now! Your cookies both look and taste like spring time! Though I can’t use almond extract (allergies) I can imagine that almond would be the best combo with the cherry. What a perfect tie-in to your cherry blossom/graduation story. 🙂 I have visited the D.C. area many times, but unfortunately never this time of year. My son is thinking of D.C. for grad school, so maybe I will get a chance. 🙂
    Wendy recently posted…Honey Sesame CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      The caramel and PB ones have been fun to work with, too. But I gotta say, I love the cherry flavor! And you can just sub in vanilla if almond is an allergen. They’ll still work out. They should make cherry extract! 🙂
      Your son should head this way. DC is a great city. And then you can see the blossoms!

  9. Sues

    The idea of “Nestle bling” just makes me happy!! What a great idea for a cookie!
    Sues recently posted…Lemon Parmesan Spring Flatbread with Ricotta and PeasMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks so much! I’m all about food bling. And real bling. They go together! 😉

  10. Manali @ CookWithManali

    I have been to DC but not seen the cherry blossoms, the pictures are so pretty..have seen them around! The cookies look amazing, and this reminds me that I got these spring time chocolate chips a while back and haven’t baked with them yet :/ I clearly need to do that asap!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Salted Caramel MochaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I always buy the products and then forget to use them, Manali! So I’m glad I could remind you. The cherry blossoms are seriously pretty. I love them!

  11. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    Love the cherry filled chips! And also Cherry Blossom season! This was the first year in 10 or so years I didn’t perform at the festival. Looks awesome!
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Microwave Blackberry Lime Chia JamMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Well, everyone needs a break now and then, Medha! But the festival is really cool. Thanks!

  12. Danielle

    I definitely need to get my hands on some cherry filled chocolate chips! Love that you made these so springy too. These are such a perfect treat for this time of year.
    Danielle recently posted…Spinach Artichoke Tortellini SaladMy Profile

    1. Mir

      They’re delicious, Danielle. I’ve been eating them out of the bag, too. Must stop!

  13. Michele @ Two Raspberries

    I’m a serious sucker for cookies! they look so soft! and I love that you used the spring mix chocolate chips in here YUM! 😉

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Michele! I can’t resist any cookie with cute chips inside. It’s a problem!

  14. Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze

    I need to visit DC so I can see Cherry Blossoms. I’ve never seem one. But these cookies look amazing! Good luck with exams and all the end of year stuff!! Make sure to have plenty of cookies on hand. 🙂
    Cyndi – My Kitchen Craze recently posted…Apple DumplingsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      They’re all pink and pretty, Cyndi. I recommend! Good advice about the cookies. I will do that!

  15. Mary Frances

    Whoa, you have to spend your whole day with people like me? Bless your heart Mir, no wonder you bake.
    Kidding. For reals though, I agree, it’s frustrating (and truly sad) when people give minimal effort. Congratulations to you for finishing the school year!
    And YES cherry blossoms are beautiful. And in cookie form, ridiculously delicious looking as well!
    Mary Frances recently posted…Caramel Swirled Peanut Butter Mug Cake (GF, DF)My Profile

    1. Mir

      Ha! You kid, but baking is excellent for stress. Congrats to you, too, on graduating and all that! Exciting!

  16. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.

    Those cookies sound amazing Mir – I love that you made a cherry blossom cookie!
    Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Lemon Strawberry Cream Puff CakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Stacey!

  17. Jasline (Foodie Baker)

    Aww how I wish I can get some of those spring blings here, they look so pretty on the cookies!
    Jasline (Foodie Baker) recently posted…Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Mousse Filling and Peanut Butter FrostingMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Cookie bling is awesome. Maybe they’ll ship it your way? For a crazy fee? 🙂 Seriously, you can just use chocolate chips. It’ll taste the same!

  18. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    I have always wanted to go see the cherry blossoms. Maybe one day… 🙂 Until then…cookies!!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Blackberry Key Lime TartsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      They are pretty worth it. But cookies will sub in very nicely!

  19. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life

    I have seen those beautiful cherry blossoms and agree it is such a pretty time to visit there! But I like the idea of recreating those blossoms in a yummy cookie! Our kids took their last finals yesterday, so yay for no more fighting to get them to finish strong. At least until next year that is…
    Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted…S’mores Oreo Icebox CakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Fighting kids with studying and HW is the worst, Jocelyn! I’m glad you’re out of the woods for a few months. Thanks so much!

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