Ingredients:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
6 maraschino cherries, halved
¼ cup crushed pineapple, drained well
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Directions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.
Add Egg and Vanilla:
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated and creamy.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Mix the Batter:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms.
Add the Fruit:
Gently fold in the drained crushed pineapple to prevent excess liquid, keeping the dough firm enough to handle.
Form the Balls:
Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
Add Cherries:
Press a halved maraschino cherry gently into the center of each ball for a festive look.
Bake:
Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden on the edges and set in the center.
Cool and Decorate:
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
(Optional: Drizzle with melted chocolate or dip half the cookie in chocolate for a “Christmas Rice Krispie Ball” twist.)
Nutritional Information:
⏰ Prep Time: 15 minutes | 🍳 Cook Time: 14 minutes | ⏱️ Total Time: 29 minutes
🔥 Calories: ~125 kcal per cookie | 🍽️ Servings: ~20 cookies