Christmas cookies are one of my favorite traditions. I always make a massive amount of cookies – both traditional family favorites and new ones – to share.  We bring the cookies to every holiday party we’re invited to, and then fill some containers for recipients of the church’s wish tree and make up a big platter to go to the soup kitchen’s Christmas dinner.

These were one of my new tries for this year. I was drawn in by the color – it’s always fun to vary the cookie tray up with more color – but the subtle flavors really won me over.

The cherry and almond work great together and the chocolate chips give a great pocket of sweetness when you bite into them! None of the flavors are really intense, so it makes these a great cookie to much along with a cup of coffee or tea.

Celebrate #NationalCookieDay with all my fellow cookie fanatics! Below is a list of great cookies to make this holiday:

(Thanks to Erin of The Spiffy Cookie for hosting)

• Cake Mix Cinnamon Oatmeal Reindeer Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Chocolate Cinnamon Crinkle Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Chocolate Dipped Butter Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Christmas Lights Cookies by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Classic Old Fashioned Snickerdoodles by Big Bear’s Wife
• Coconut S’Mores Bars by The Foodette
• Gingerbread Snickerdoodles by The Redhead Baker
• Peanut Brownie Sablés by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Pistachio Cardamom Crescent Cookies by Savory Moments
• Quince and Almond Filled Cookies by Palatable Pastime
• Rosettes by That Recipe
• Gluten-Free Tahini Cookies by The Spiffy Cookie

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 3 dozen

1 cup butter, at room temp
1 tsp. almond extract
1 cup powdered sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
2–3 Tbs. maraschino cherry juice
1/2 cup maraschino cherries chopped
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chip morsels

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment.

Beat the butter until fluffy. Beat in the almond extract and powdered sugar.

Stir in the flour until thoroughly combined. Stir in the cherry juice and chopped cherries until evenly combined and the dough is pink throughout. Stir in chocolate chips.

Roll into 1″ balls and place on lined cooking sheet several inches apart. Bake 12-14 minutes, until set and slightly browned around the edges.