Description

Spumoni Cookies blend the classic flavor trio of cherry, pistachio, and chocolate into a delightful, marbled cookie. Each cookie features three distinct dough portions flavored individually with chopped maraschino cherries, ground pistachios, and rich cocoa with chocolate chips. Rolled together and coated in sugar, these cookies deliver a soft center with a slightly crisp edge, perfect for those who love complex, multi-flavored treats inspired by spumoni ice cream.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons (24g) all-purpose flour (for cherry dough)
2 Tablespoons (10g) Dutch-process cocoa powder

Wet Ingredients and Sugars

3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Cherry Dough

1/4 cup (50g) maraschino cherries, drained, patted very dry, and finely chopped
Optional: 1 tiny drop pink gel food coloring

Pistachio Dough

1/2 cup (55g) ground pistachios (salted or unsalted)
Optional: 1 tiny drop green gel food coloring

Chocolate Dough

2 teaspoons maraschino cherry juice, from the jar
1/3 cup (60g) mini chocolate chips

Topping

1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar for rolling

Instructions

Make the base cookie dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter with granulated and brown sugar using a mixer on medium-high until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla; beat until combined scraping the bowl as needed. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix on low until just incorporated, then medium-high for full combination. Divide dough into 3 equal parts.
Prepare cherry dough: In a clean bowl, combine one dough portion with chopped maraschino cherries, 3 tablespoons flour, and pink gel food coloring if using. Mix on medium speed until uniformly combined. Refrigerate this cherry dough portion.
Prepare pistachio dough: Clean mixer bowl, add second dough portion with ground pistachios, almond extract, and green gel food coloring if using. Mix on medium speed until combined. Set aside.
Prepare chocolate dough: Again, clean mixer bowl, add last dough portion with cocoa powder, maraschino cherry juice, and mini chocolate chips. Mix on medium speed until well combined. Set aside.
Shape dough balls: Line baking sheets or plates with parchment paper. Form each dough portion into small balls (~15g each). Chill cherry dough balls in refrigerator while shaping pistachio and chocolate dough balls. Keep all dough balls refrigerated during prep.
Form marbled cookies: Place granulated sugar in a bowl. Press together one ball each of cherry, pistachio, and chocolate dough into one larger ball (~45g). Roll the combined ball in granulated sugar to coat thoroughly. Place on lined baking sheet. Repeat for all dough balls. Cover and refrigerate shaped dough balls at least 1 hour and up to 3 days. This chilling step is crucial for texture.
Preheat oven and bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Arrange chilled dough balls 3 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 14–16 minutes until edges set and centers appear soft.
Cool and store: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely. Store baked cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Notes

Make sure maraschino cherries are well-drained and patted dry to avoid too much moisture in the cherry dough.
Chilling the shaped dough balls before baking is essential to prevent excessive spreading and preserve the marbled look.
Gel food coloring is optional but helps visually distinguish the dough colors for a classic spumoni appearance.
Use fresh room temperature eggs and butter for best creaming results.
Cookies keep well for several days in airtight storage but are best enjoyed within 2–3 days for optimal softness.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Spumoni cookies, cherry pistachio chocolate cookies, marbled cookies, Italian-inspired cookies, holiday cookies