The holiday season is upon us, and that can only mean one thing—it's time for the annual cookie exchange! If you're looking to dazzle your friends and family with a unique treat that blends tradition and festivity, look no further than our family’s Cherry Chip Cookies. Originally shared with me by my mother-in-law when I first started dating my now husband, this recipe has become a holiday staple in our home. Over the years, I’ve tinkered with the ingredients to make these cookies gluten-free, without losing any of their delicious charm.
Cherry Chips: A Burst of Holiday Joy
Imagine biting into a cookie that combines the rich, buttery goodness of classic shortbread with the sweet crunch of frosted flakes and the delightful pop of cherry chips. These cookies are truly one-of-a-kind and bring an extra dose of holiday cheer to any cookie platter. They’ve been a standout recipe in our family for years, and they’re guaranteed to steal the show at any holiday gathering!
Not sure about that shortbread taste? Lucky for you I made an oatmeal based version of these cookies with some chocolate chips that I highly recommend giving a try.
Ingredients for Gluten-Free Cherry Chip Cookies
- 1 bag cherry chips (find them on Amazon or specialty stores)
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups flour (I used King Arthur 1:1 gluten-free flour)
- ½ cup sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- ¾ cup crushed frosted flakes

I still remember the first time my mother-in-law shared this recipe with me—it was around the holidays, and my now husband and I had just started dating. These cookies quickly became a tradition in our home, and when I went gluten-free, I knew I had to find a way to make them work. After a few test batches, I found that using King Arthur’s 1:1 gluten-free flour worked like a charm! Now, every year, these cookies are the highlight of our holiday cookie exchange. The cherry chips add such a fun and festive touch, and I love the unique crunch the frosted flakes bring to the texture.
Instructions
- Sift the flour and salt together in a bowl, then set aside.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg yolk and almond (or vanilla) extract until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the flour mixture and continue mixing until smooth.
- Fold in the cherry chips and crushed frosted flakes—the batter will be thick.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press each ball down with a fork and lightly dust with sugar.
- Bake at 375°F for about 9 minutes, or until the edges are golden. You may need to adjust the baking time based on your oven, but 9 minutes is a great starting point!
Storage Suggestions
- Fridge: Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: You can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Ready to bake up some holiday magic?
Give these Gluten-Free Cherry Chip Cookies a try, and don’t forget to share your baking success with me on Instagram. I can’t wait to see how you incorporate these into your holiday traditions!
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Gluten-Free Cherry Chip Delights
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Discover a delightfully different holiday treat with these Gluten-Free Cherry Chip Cookies. The sweetness of cherry chips and the crunch of frosted flakes are a match made in heaven.
Ingredients
- 1 bag cherry chips (find them on Amazon or specialty stores)
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups flour (I used King Arthur 1:1 gluten-free flour)
- ½ cup sugar
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 tsp almond or vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- ¾ cup crushed frosted flakes
Instructions
- Sift the flour and salt together in a bowl, then set aside.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg yolk and almond (or vanilla) extract until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the flour mixture and continue mixing until smooth.
- Fold in the cherry chips and crushed frosted flakes—the batter will be thick.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press each ball down with a fork and lightly dust with sugar.
- Bake at 375°F for about 9 minutes, or until the edges are golden. You may need to adjust the baking time based on your oven, but 9 minutes is a great starting point!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake




