Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries
• 1 (6 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Preparation:

Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl, set aside.

In another bowl, beat butter and sugar on low speed until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, beat until well blended.

Gradually add in the flour mixture and blend well until smooth.

Shape into 1 inch balls by rolling a small amount of dough between the palms of your hands. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Using thumb, press down center of ball making an indentation.

Drain cherries, reserving the juice. Place a cherry in the center of each cookie.

For frosting: In a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat over low heat until chocolate is melted. Add 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon reserved cherry juice and stir.

Spoon about 1 teaspoon frosting over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry. If frosting gets too thick, add a little more cherry juice.

Bake in oven at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Makes 48 cookies.