Easy-Bake Oven Candied Cherry Walnut Cookies: A Festive Treat for Holiday Baking!
Just in time for the holidays, these Candied Cherry Walnut Cookies bring a festive twist to your Easy-Bake Oven. These cookies feature a delightful blend of buttery brown sugar, chopped walnuts, and sweet candied cherries. Perfect for young bakers, this recipe uses both the classic Easy-Bake light bulb model and the modern Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven, ensuring a successful baking experience with either style.
Why Make Candied Cherry Walnut Cookies?
These cookies are a fun, holiday-themed treat that brings a touch of festive color and flavor to any baking session. With sweet cherries, crunchy walnuts, and a soft, buttery dough, they’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying with a glass of milk. Plus, the recipe introduces essential baking skills like creaming butter and sugar, chilling dough, and slicing cookies.
How to Make Candied Cherry Walnut Cookies Easy Bake Oven Recipe
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for these holiday cookies:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons candied cherries, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons walnuts, finely chopped (or other nuts, if preferred)
This recipe yields several small cookies, perfect for holiday treats.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and packed brown sugar until light and fluffy. This creates a smooth, soft dough base.
- Add Vanilla: Mix in the vanilla extract, stirring until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Add Cherries and Nuts: Fold in the chopped candied cherries and walnuts, mixing until evenly distributed. You may need to use your hands to fully incorporate the ingredients into the dough.
Step 2: Shape and Chill the Dough
- Divide and Shape: Divide the dough into two portions, shaping each portion into an 8-inch long log for easy slicing later.
- Wrap and Chill: Wrap each dough log in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour. For best results, chill overnight if possible. Chilling helps the dough slice more evenly.
Baking Instructions
For Classic Easy-Bake Oven (Light Bulb Model)
- Preheat the Oven: Turn on your Easy-Bake Oven and let it warm up for about 10-15 minutes.
- Prepare the Pan: Lightly grease and flour the Easy-Bake Oven baking pan to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Slice the Dough: Unwrap the chilled dough logs and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place two cookie rounds in each greased pan.
- Bake the Cookies: Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies begin to turn golden brown.
- Cool on Wire Rack: Carefully remove the pan using the Easy-Bake tool and allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before enjoying.
For Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven (Electric Model)
- Preheat the Ultimate Oven: Plug in the Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven and allow it to preheat for about 20 minutes.
- Prepare the Pan: Butter and flour the baking pans to prevent sticking.
- Slice and Bake: Slice the dough into 1/4-inch rounds and place two rounds on each prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, checking for golden edges.
- Cool on Wire Rack: Remove the pan and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack for the best flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions
These Candied Cherry Walnut Cookies make a delightful holiday treat. Serve them on a festive plate with a glass of milk, or package them in small gift bags to share with friends and family.
Tips and Variations
- Try Different Nuts: Swap out the walnuts for pecans or almonds if you prefer, or leave out the nuts entirely for a smoother cookie.
- Add Some Festive Spice: For a holiday twist, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
- Customize with Colors: Use different colored candied cherries to match other holiday themes.
Why This Recipe is Great for Young Bakers
This recipe is perfect for kids ready to take on intermediate baking skills. From creaming butter and sugar to shaping and slicing chilled dough, young bakers get to practice a variety of techniques. The added touch of festive cherries and walnuts makes it fun and seasonal!
Fun Facts About Candied Cherries in Baking
- Classic Holiday Ingredient: Candied cherries are often used in holiday baking to add both color and flavor.
- Colorful and Sweet: These cherries not only bring a sweet, fruity flavor but also add vibrant pops of red or green to cookies and cakes.
- Traditional Treat: Candied cherries have been used in baking for centuries, particularly in holiday desserts and fruitcakes.
Conclusion
These Easy-Bake Candied Cherry Walnut Cookies are the perfect holiday baking project for young chefs. Whether using a classic or modern Easy-Bake Oven, kids will enjoy creating these festive cookies filled with buttery flavor, crunchy walnuts, and sweet candied cherries. Gather around the oven and enjoy the sweet smell of fresh-baked cookies—happy holiday baking!
Two cookies per pan. The old round pan or the Ultimate Easy Bake rectangular pan?
That was the old pan style, the new pan style will hold 4 cookies