Merry Cherry Cookie Tarts Recipes

MERRY CHERRY BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and almond extract. Combine the flour and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until well blended. Mix in 1/2 cup of the cherries. Press the dough into an ungreased 9x13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining cherries and crushed candies. Press in lightly.
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are lightly browned. Cool completely in the pan before icing. To make the icing, mix together the confectioners' sugar and water until a drizzling consistency is reached.

CHOCOLATE CHUNK-TART CHERRY COOKIES

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg and beat to combine.
• Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chunks and dried cherries.
• Scoop slightly mounded tablespoons of the dough and roll into balls. Arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake until the cookies are set and golden on the bottom, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

MERRY CHERRY DESSERT

Steps:

• Reserve 1/3 cup cherry pie filling for garnish; set aside. Add boiling water to gelatin mix in large bowl; stir at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water and remaining cherry pie filling. Refrigerate 45 min. or until slightly thickened.
• Place cake cubes in 3-qt. serving bowl; cover with gelatin mixture. Refrigerate 45 min. or until gelatin layer is set but not firm.
• Beat pudding mixes and milk in large bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in 2 cups COOL WHIP; spoon over gelatin layer in bowl. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm. Top with remaining COOL WHIP and reserved cherry pie filling.

CHERRY CREAM CHEESE TARTS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and extract until smooth. Spoon into shells. Top with pie filling. Refrigerate until serving.

FRESH CHERRY TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, pulse graham crackers and 2 tablespoons sugar until finely ground. Add butter, and process until combined. Transfer mixture to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Using the base of a dry measuring cup, firmly press mixture into bottom and up sides of pan. Bake until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, vanilla, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add cream, and beat until soft peaks form; spread mixture in cooled crust. Scatter cherries on top.
• In a small saucepan, combine jam and 1 teaspoon water; heat over low until liquefied, about 2 minutes. Using a pastry brush, dab cherries with glaze. Refrigerate tart at least 30 minutes or, covered, up to 1 day.