Tahini Almond Cherry Cookies – Chewy & Easy Cookie Recipe

September 10, 2026

These Tahini Almond Cherry Cookies are chewy, nutty, and packed with delicious flavor. Made with creamy tahini, almond paste, dried sour cherries, almond meal, and a hint of orange and cinnamon, these cookies have a wonderful balance of sweetness, citrus, and warm spice.

The combination of tahini and almond creates a rich, nutty flavor, while dried sour cherries add little bursts of fruity tartness. A sprinkle of turbinado sugar on top gives the cookies a delicate crunch.

With only about 15 minutes of preparation and 8–10 minutes of baking, these easy cookies are perfect for holidays, cookie exchanges, afternoon coffee, or a homemade dessert.

Why You'll Love These Tahini Almond Cookies

Quick and easy: The dough comes together in about 15 minutes.
Chewy and flavorful: Tahini and almond paste create a rich texture.
Sweet and tart: Dried sour cherries balance the sweetness.
Citrus-kissed: Orange juice adds brightness.
Warmly spiced: Cinnamon complements the almonds and cherries.
Beautiful texture: Turbinado sugar adds a subtle crunchy topping.
Great for sharing: The recipe makes approximately 24 cookies.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup roasted tahini
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup turbinado sugar
1/2 cup almond paste
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons orange juice

Dry Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup almond meal
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup multigrain flake cereal

Fruit and Topping

2/3 cup dried sour cherries
3 tablespoons turbinado sugar, for sprinkling

How to Make Tahini Almond Cherry Cookies

1. Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Grease your cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper.

Using parchment makes cleanup easier and helps the cookies release from the baking sheet.

2. Cream the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, roasted tahini, brown sugar, 3/4 cup turbinado sugar, and almond paste.

Beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and orange juice. Mix again until incorporated.

3. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Almond meal
Ground cinnamon

Stir the dry ingredients together so the baking powder, salt, and cinnamon are evenly distributed.

4. Make the Cookie Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.

Stir until the batter is well blended.

Avoid overmixing once the flour has been incorporated.

5. Add the Cereal and Cherries

Fold in the multigrain flake cereal and dried sour cherries.

Mix gently until they're distributed throughout the dough.

The cereal contributes additional texture, while the sour cherries provide sweet-tart flavor.

6. Portion the Cookies

Drop the dough by heaping spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Leave enough space between each portion to allow the cookies to spread during baking.

Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 3 tablespoons of turbinado sugar.

7. Bake

Bake the cookies for approximately 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Don't overbake them if you want to maintain their chewy texture.

8. Cool

Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes.

Then transfer them to wire racks and let them cool completely.

Tips for the Best Tahini Almond Cherry Cookies

Use softened butter

Softened butter blends more easily with the sugar and tahini, helping create a smooth cookie dough.

Choose good-quality tahini

Roasted tahini gives these cookies a particularly rich, nutty flavor. Stir your tahini well before measuring if the oil has separated.

Don't overbake

The cookies only need about 8–10 minutes. Remove them when the edges are lightly golden for a softer, chewier center.

Don't skip the turbinado sugar

The coarse sugar provides a pleasant crunch on top and makes the finished cookies look especially appealing.

Give the cookies room

Place dough portions far enough apart on the baking sheet so the cookies can spread without touching.

What Does Tahini Add to Cookies?

Tahini is a sesame seed paste with a naturally nutty and slightly earthy flavor. In these cookies, it works especially well with almond paste and almond meal.

The result is a cookie that's richer and more complex than a traditional sugar cookie, while the dried sour cherries add a fruity contrast.

Can I Use Regular Sesame Tahini?

Yes. The recipe calls for roasted tahini, which has a deeper flavor, but regular tahini can also be used.

If your tahini has separated, stir it thoroughly before measuring.

Can I Substitute the Sour Cherries?

Yes. If dried sour cherries aren't available, dried cranberries can provide a similar sweet-tart element.

Dried blueberries or chopped dried apricots can also be interesting alternatives, although they'll change the flavor profile.

Can I Make These Cookies Ahead?

Yes. The baked cookies can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container once completely cooled.

They're particularly convenient for holiday baking, cookie exchanges, and entertaining.

How to Store Tahini Almond Cherry Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them.

Place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature in a cool, dry place.

For best texture, separate layers with parchment paper if you're stacking the cookies.

What to Serve with These Cookies

These cookies pair especially well with:

Coffee
Espresso
Black tea
Green tea
Chai
Hot chocolate
Orange tea
A glass of cold milk

The combination of tahini, almond, cherry, orange, and cinnamon makes them particularly enjoyable as an afternoon snack.

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