Chocolate Cherry Balls

Photo: flickr user jenster181

Ingredients

1 cup butter/butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 3/4 cups flour

Powdered sugar, opt

1/4 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon instant coffee powder

1/2 cup finely chopped nuts

1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained

Preparation

Cream butter; gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, coffee powder and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture, mix well. Stir in nuts and cherries. Chill dough.

Shape chilled dough into 1 inch balls; place on cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 16 to 18 minutes, or until set. Cool. Sprinkle with sifted powdered sugar, if desired. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.