Cherry-Filled Sugar Cookies with Pink Icing

 Cherry-Filled Sugar Cookies with Pink Icing

 Ingredients

**For the Cookies:**
– 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
– 1/4 teaspoon salt

**For the Filling:**
– Maraschino cherries (one per cookie)

**For the Icing:**
– 2 cups powdered sugar
– 3 tablespoons milk (add more if needed)
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Pink food coloring
– Red sprinkles

 Instructions

1. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. **Prepare the Cookie Dough:**
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
– In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

3. **Form the Cookies:**
– Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly in your hand. Place a maraschino cherry in the center and wrap the dough around it, forming a ball. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

4. **Bake:**
– Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. **Prepare the Icing:**
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add a few drops of pink food coloring and mix until you achieve your desired shade of pink.
– If the icing is too thick, add more milk a teaspoon at a time until it reaches a spreadable consistency.

6. **Decorate:**
– Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a layer of pink icing on top of each cookie. Sprinkle with red sprinkles.

7. **Serve and Enjoy:**
– Allow the icing to set before serving. Enjoy your cherry-filled sugar cookies!

Feel free to adjust the recipe to suit your preferences!