Midwestern Cherry Bonbons
The word "bonbon" comes from the French language, where "bon" means good. Bonbons gained popularity in France during the 17th and 18th centuries, and they were initially made by coating fruits and nuts with sugar. Over time, it has generally come to represent any small, sweet, and usually rich confection.
This cherished recipe, handed down from my Midwestern grandmother, became a beloved family tradition. On Valentine's Day, before dinner, she would thoughtfully place personalized gifts, often including these bonbons, at each family member's seat, making these sweet treats a delightful part of special occasions. These would not only be used for Valentine’s Day, but other holidays like Christmas.
Baking Tip: When applying the pink frosting to the tops of the bonbons, wear food-prep gloves. Utilize the warmth from your fingers to achieve a smooth frosting texture.
Ingredients:
115 g (1/2 cup) softened butter
95 g (3/4 cup) powdered sugar
15 ml (2 tbsp) milk
5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
180 g (1 1/2 cups) flour
.70 g (1/8 tsp) salt
24 maraschino cherries
Frosting:
125 g (1 cup) powdered sugar
28 g (2 tbsp) melted butter
28 g (2 tbsp) maraschino cherry juice
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F/175°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
Use a strainer and bowl to separate maraschino cherries from cherry juice. Save both the juice and the cherries and set them aside.
In a large bowl, whisk and cream together powdered sugar and softened butter until fluffy. Then, whisk in the milk and vanilla extract.
Combine flour and salt in a small bowl, and then gradually add it to the creamed mixture.
Measure out and divide the dough into 24 portions (or eyeball it). Shape the dough around a single maraschino cherry and place it on the pre-lined parchment paper. Repeat until the dough runs out.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the bottom of the cookies is slightly browned. Then, transfer them to a cooling rack.
Once the cookies are completely cooled, prepare the frosting. Combine melted butter, powdered sugar, and cherry juice, and whisk until all clumps are gone. The mixture should not be runny.
Take a small portion of frosting and place it on top of each cookie. Using your fingertips or a spoon, press down evenly to coat the top of the cookie. Repeat for the rest of the cookies and store them in an airtight container until ready to eat.
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”