Maraschino Cherry Almond Cookies Recipe

Place the butter in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth and creamy about 2 minutes. Gradually beat in 2/3 cup of confectioners' sugar then add almond extract eggs and salt and beat until the mixture is fluffy and well combined about 3 more minutes. Reduce mixer speed to medium and gradually beat in flour until the dough is smooth about 1 minute. Gently stir in the maraschino cherries.

Form the dough into 2 logs about 1 inch in diameter roll each log in plastic wrap or waxed paper and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line several baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cut each dough log into about 25 slices about 1/2-inch thick and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets leaving about 1/2 inch of space between each cookie.

Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are set but not browned 12 to 14 minutes. Remove to cooling racks to cool to room temperature about 15 minutes.

To make icing beat egg whites with lemon juice until frothy about 1 minute then beat in vanilla extract and confectioners' sugar a cupful at a time until the icing is smooth and spreadable. Spread about 1 teaspoon of icing on each cooled cookie and let the icing harden before stacking.