Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

 

Maraschino Cherries

1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Topping:

6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand)

4 tsp. cherry juice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F

Drain maraschino cherries, reserving the juice

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and cocoa. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 30 seconds, or until softened. Add sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Beat until well combined. Add egg and vanilla. Beat well. Gradually add the flour mixture. 

Shape into 1" balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet about 2" apart. Press down in the center of each ball with your thumb to create an indentation. Place a cherry in the center of each cookie's indentation.

In a small saucepan over medium to low heat, combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat until chocolate is melted. Sir in 4 tsp reserved cherry juice until completely smooth. Turn off heat and spoon about 1 tsp of mixture on top of each cherry, spreading to cover the cherry fully. 

Bake 10 minutes exactly.