Laura’s Favorite Cookie Recipe - Cherry Winks!

Mira and I spent the weekend at Grandma’s making my favorite cookie… Cherry Winks! I’ve loved these ever since I was little and my Grandma Helen made them… a mixture of maraschino cherries, nuts and dates in a classic dough with a corn flake coating for crunch. Topped with a cherry for good measure.

Apparently we strayed a little from the original Betty Crocker Cooky Book recipe swapping corn flakes for the Wheaties and opting for dates over raisins. We also add in some chopped cherries Plus we call them Cherry Winks. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Here’s the recipe if you’d like to try them too!

Cherry Winks

• 1/3 cup shortening or lard

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 1/2 Tbsp milk

• 1/2 tsp vanilla

• 1 cup flour

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup chopped dates

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (we use walnuts)

• 1 1/2 cup crushed corn flakes

• 1/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries, patted dry

• 18 maraschino cherries, halved

Preheat oven to 375. Mix lard, sugar and egg. Beat in milk and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Mix in dates, buts and chopped cherries. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls into crushed cornflakes and roll into a ball. Place 2” apart on a greased cookie sheet. Make a small imprint and place cherry half on top. Bake 10-12 minutes until just browned on the edges. Do not overbake. Leave on the cookie sheet one minute before moving to a cooking rack. Makes 3 dozen.

Enjoy!