Flashback!
Two months ago I was at my parent’s house discussing our favorite cookies at the dinner table. My mom told us that Cherrywinks were one of her favorites.
Cherrywinks? Say what?? What are Cherrywinks?
Apparently they are the classic cookies her grandmother made when she was younger! My dad agreed upon their deliciousness. He had his share from her too! If you could see how they beamed when discussing these cookies…. it was like Christmas morning! My mom got her Betsy Wetsy doll and my dad got that BB gun he wanted! The delight in their faces! The joy! Cookies!
The seed was planted. I must find the recipe and make them a batch.
Flash forward!
A month later, my mom handed me the recipe. She found it from her archives and it looked well loved. Thanks great- grandma for being so organized! I’m prepared to surprise them!
The top got damaged in transit. Don’t kill me mom!
Earlier this week!
My mom’s birthday arrived! So what better excuse to make her some?
So here they are!
Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!
We like them just fine at my house. That crunch on the outside of the cookie is totally like crack! I can see why Corn Flakes are a main ingredient to a lot of fried chicken recipes! CRUNCHA CRUNCHA CRUNCH!
The bits of cherries in the batter provide an cherry-almond flavor and a cute shade of pink! I am a huge fan of the chopped walnuts in them too! Scrumptious!
So how did it go with the birthday girl? She said they were bigger than her grandmother made, but they were really good nonetheless! The recipe wasn’t clear about the size, so I used my medium ice cream scoop to make them. I think the smallest scoop would have been what I needed. They look a little like boobs, no? They are a good B cup. I think my great-grandmother made them the size that required a training bra.
My mom said that her grandmother used to stretch out the recipe by using tiny slivers of the cherries (hence the wink?). Because I made the cookies 2010-sized , it would have been nice to have cherry halves. I think I might do that next time– in addition to making them smaller. The cherry on top was delightful! I want a small cookie with a huge gem on top next time!
So get your vintage apron on, and make some!
You start with some
and maraschino cherries-
You chop up your cherries to get your prep started.
You crush up those flakes & put them aside. Get your aggression out! Go ahead!
Sift flour mixture. I like to use a fork cuz I’m lazy and it works. A whisk will do too!
You cream the butter with sugar and add eggs. I like this pic. It comforts me.
You add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and add the diced cherries!
And then you get a cute, pink batter! That’s also addictive. Watch out. No joke.
Then you roll your winks in the corn flakes.
Add a cherry on top to make them CHERRYwinks!
After baking you get a cookie that looks like a crunchy boobie!
Cherrywinks
makes over 2 dozen
- 2 2/3 cups Corn Flakes
- 2 1/4 cups sifted flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 1/2 cup chopped nuts (i used walnut)
- 1/3 cup finely diced maraschino cherries
- 18 maraschino cherries cut into quarters (splurge and use halves!)
1. Crush corn flakes into coarse crumbs & set aside.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt & set aside.
3. Measure sugar and butter into mixing bowl; beat until very light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Stir in milk and vanilla. Add sifted dry ingredients together with nuts and finely diced cherries; mix well.
4. Using a small ice cream scoop (or a level tablespoon), shape dough into balls. Roll balls in crushed corn flakes to coat. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Place cherry halves or quarters on top.
5. Bake at 375 for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. It took me about 15 minutes with the larger sized cookies. I had at least 24 larger cookies with the medium scooper, so if you use a small one prepare to have a ton!
