Chocolate-covered Cherry Cookies

In looking through Mom's recipe box for a cookie recipe, I came across this gem. I love maraschino cherries, so seeing the cherry center of these cookies, I knew that I would love these cookies. They are a delicious blend of chocolate and cherry. The recipe does not actually say to use maraschino cherries, so you could probably use any type of cherry.

The directions for these cookies just call for dipping the top of the cookies in the chocolate icing, rather than coating the entire cookie. Because I find candy coating challenging, I found the dipped cookies easier. Also, I took a shortcut of using almond bark, rather than making the icing using the directions below.

Chocolate-covered Cherry Cookies 

• 1/2 cup soft butter
• 3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla
• 1 square chocolate (1 oz.), melted
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 20-25 cherries, well drained

Chocolate Icing

• 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 square unsweetened chocolate, melted

Mix butter, sugar, vanilla, and chocolate thoroughly. Blend in flour and salt. If dry, add 1-2 tablespoons cream or milk. Wrap level tablespoon of dough around well-drained cherries. Place one-inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes at 350. Allow cookies to cool. Prepare the icing by mixing the sugar, cream, vanilla, and melted chocolate. Dip top of cookies in the icing. Enjoy!