Friday, November 7, 2008

Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies

I am back to cooking (and blogging) now that life has calmed down a lot!

Yesterday I tested a cookie from Taste of Home- Best Loved Cookies & Bars for the Christmas season. This cookie was very easy to make and I think gives the uh-ah factor that I look for during the holidays. The only thing I will need to do differently next time is melt the chocolate for the top a little bit more so it does not go on so thick.


24 maraschino cherries

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all- purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk chocolate chips, divided

1/2 teaspoon shortening


Pat cherries with paper towels to remove excess moisture; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in cherry juice and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.


Insert a chocolate chip into each maraschino cherry. Wrap a tablespoon of dough around each cherry. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.


Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until set and edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.


In a microwave-safe bowl, melt shortening with remaining chips; stir until smooth. Dip tops of cookies in melted chocolate. Let stand until set. Store in air tight containers.


Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

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