Maraschino Cherries: A Colorful Twist on Monster Cookies

Introduction to Maraschino Cherries

However, it would be rather sad, and that is a stretch because maraschino cherries are more than just pointless garnishes. Added to recipes or incorporated when making some products such as monster cookies, they offer that colorful twist that is quite a surprise for the taste buds. In this article, we will discuss, but not be limited to, the history of Maraschino Cherries, how they are processed, their nutritional value, and uses of cherries to bake, including a monster cookie.

History and Origin of Maraschino Cherries

In this liqueur, cherries were marinated, and it was the staple food for the highest strata of European society in the 19th century.

Eventually, in the early part of this, the production of maraschino cherries changed. Over the course of time, as the demand for these cherries increased, producers from America started to try out ways how to preserve these cherries in a more suitable form. The current maraschino cherry was developed in the 1950s: it is the process that was invented by Ernest H. Wiegand, an Oregon State University professor, who managed to preserve cherries without alcohol. His process of preparation for the cherries included immersing the fruits in a brine solution before proceeding to make them maraschino by submerging them in a sugar syrup solution, thus making them well, sweet, and nonalcoholic.

It is this transition from the regular spirit-based drink to the modern-day brand of maraschino cherries that made wedges popular. They got incorporated into cocktails, desserts and baked goods because of the different and rather visually appealing look.

The Process of Making Maraschino Cherries

The process involved in maraschino cherries production aims at producing what is ordinarily not a pretty fruit into a shiny, colorful, and sweet delicacy that people find palatable. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how maraschino cherries are made:

• Harvesting and Brining: This fruit is normally the light-colored cherry, such as the Royal Ann or Rainier type, that is harvested and then immersed in a brine bath. It may consist of calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide, which facilitate cherriesh texture and color, as well as make them stay preserved. This brining process can last for several weeks, and in the process, the cherries shed off their natural color.
• Rinsing and Bleaching: (Mainly Mechanized) The cherries are then washed and afterward bleached to a total whiteness or pale yellowish color. This step is necessary in order to create the appropriate conditions for cherries to color in the next step to the desired brighter shade.
• Coloring and Flavoring: The bleached cherries are then preserved in hot and, sweet liquid containing flavoring materials. In the event, the flavor mostly ranges from almond extract to other fruit flavors. Red food coloring is added as a dye to produce them to be red as seen in the image of cupcakes. Modern maraschino cherries may be of different colors, like green or blue, according to the purpose for which they will be used.
• Packing: Last but not least, cherries are preserved with sugar and put into jars with syrup before being canned. The outcome generated from the process is an organoleptically high quality cherry which is also long shelf life cherries.

Health Benefits of Maraschino Cherries

• Source of Antioxidants: Cherries, which are used in processing Maraschino cherries also have a very high content of antioxidants. It serves to neutralize free radicals within your system to mitigate oxidation and, perhaps, can lower the propensity of conditions arising from chronic inflammation.
• Vitamins and Minerals: Cherries hold nutrients like vitamins that include vitamin C, which boosts the immune system, as well as minerals like potassium, which assists in matters to do with the heart And relates to proper muscle functioning.
• Boosting Mood: The shiny red color that the maraschino cherries have and the sweetness of the fruit also have a psychological approval of adding it to foods, especially in dessert. This sensory pleasure can help to improve the mood ahead of time, making eating much more of an enjoyable experience.

Creative Ways to Use Maraschino Cherries in Baking

• Cherry-Topped Cupcakes: Maraschino cherries can be used as a garnish and, at the same time, as an added fruit accent on cupcakes. They are best served with cupcakes that have a vanilla or almond flavor and can also be placed right on top of some icing.
• Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies: Put chopped maraschino cherries into cookie dough for the chocolate chip cookie, which will make it an interesting variation of a standard recipe. Another important point is that the cherries are sweet and actually ‘pop’ against the chocolate.
• Cherry Bread: Add maraschino cherries to quick bread batters – such as banana bread or almond bread. The cherries are also an added bonus as they give the loaf an extra Christmas feel as well as small bursts of sugar throughout the cake.
• Cherry Cheesecake Bars: Add some maraschino cherry syrup to cheesecake batter to give it a good mix in order to achieve a good-looking and tasty treat. This is to increase its texture and taste. You could add chopped cherries to the crust.
• Cherry Thumbprint Cookies: Bake thumbprint cookies with a cherry in the middle of it. The cherries also serve as an intended garnish as well as a source of taste enhancement with each piece taken.

Monster Cookie Recipe with a Twist: Adding Maraschino Cherries

Pecan Sandies cookies mainly contain oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and candies, so they are often referred to as monster cookies. Pouring a cup of maraschino cherries on these cookies makes them even more delicious since a fruity sweetness is added to the other ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup M&M candies
• 1 or 1/2 cup of maraschino cherries that are chopped or fresh cherries, drained and patted dry

Instructions:

• Preheat and Prepare: First, ensure that your oven is well preheated to a temperature of 350 F or 175 C. Place the baking sheets with the help of parchment paper.
• Mix Wet Ingredients: Starting with a large mixing bowl, beat in the butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar, respectively, until the mixture becomes fluffy. Then, prepare the eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla essence and mix until they blend with the ingredients.
• Add Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the flour and baking soda. Slowly stir this into the wet mixture; Rubber spatula, until combined. Add oats, chocolate chips, and M&M candies into the mix.
• Fold in Cherries: Using a spatula fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and make sure that you do not mix it too much as this may cause the cherries to bleed their color into the dough.
• Shape and Bake: Working in batches, spoon the dough in rounds about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Something less deep – define each one by gently pressing it with the back of a spoon. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes where the edges should be brown but the middles should still be slightly gooey.
• Cool and Serve: Remove from the baking sheet and let it cool for several minutes before transferring on a wire rack to cool further. You are going to love it when you add a little touch of red in the form of maraschino cherries in your monster Cookies.

Check Out: Monster Raisin Cookies: 6 Big Mistakes When Baking.

Other Delicious Recipes Using Maraschino Cherries

Maraschino cherries can add to the flavor and the visual appeal of many other dishes as well. 

• Cherry Almond Scones: Add chopped maraschino cherries into the scone dough as well as slivered almonds. The cherries complement the sweetness of the scones and give a new texture to them with the right touch of butter.
• Cherry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake: There is always a twist to the basic pineapple upside-down cake; try using maraschino cherries. Arrange them in the center of pineapple rings to decorate the cake and pour the cake batter on the fruit.
• Cherry Coconut Bars: Dried cherries may be blended with coconut bars for a tropical flavor when used in chopped form with maraschino cherries. The cherries are sweet to sweeten the rich and chewy coconut layer and cream, which is added as well.
• Cherry Ice Cream Sundaes: Include them as a topping for homemade ice cream sundae. Ideally served with hot fudge, whipped cream, and nuts perfect for a typical dessert dish.
• Cherry Gelatin Salad: Combine maraschino cherries with fruit and nuts in a gelatin salad that recreates the flavors of the ’50s. The cherries give this dish a nice, colorful appearance and flavor, making it a special dish to bring to events.

Conclusion

Maraschino Cherries are not only a colorful garniture for desserts and beverages but much more as well. These tasty cookies have been around for quite some time, they are made in a rather special fashion and can be used in many different ways in baking, which makes it rather fun to play with them. Not only can they be used as a topping for the monster cookies but also the cherries add a fun and simply delightful addition to any other dishes. 

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