Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies

Photo: Jo Ann

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

48 undrained maraschino cherries (about one 10-ounce jar)

1 package (6-ounce) semisweet chocolate pieces

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Preparation

In a mixing bowl combine flour and cocoa; set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed about 30 seconds or till softened. Add sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Beat till well combined. Add egg and vanilla. Beat well. Gradually beat in the flour mixture.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on ungreased baking sheet. Press down center of each ball with thumb. Drain maraschino cherries, reserving juice. Place a cherry in the center of each cookie. In a small saucepan combine the chocolate pieces and sweetened condensed milk; heat till chocolate is melted. Stir in 4 teaspoons of the reserved cherry juice.

Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the frosting over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry. (Frosting may be thinned with additional cherry juice, if necessary.)

Bake in 350 degree oven about 10 minutes or till done. Remove to wire rack; cool. Makes 48 cookies.