Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Courtesy of National Cherry Growers 54 Servings • 20 Min. Prep Time • 10 Min. Cook Time
Ingredients
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. margarine or butter, softened
1 egg
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate melted and cooled
1/3 c. buttermilk, milk or water
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour*(see below)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
4 16 oz. jars maraschino cherries, stemless or halves

Chocolate Frosting:
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
2 Tbsp. margarine or butter
3 Tbsp. water
1+ c. powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Chop cherries, reserving 50 halves for garnish. Mix sugar, margarine, egg, chocolate, buttermilk and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt and cherries.

2. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonful about 2 in. apart into ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 min. or until almost no indentation remains when touched; cool. Frost with Chocolate Frosting or dust with powdered sugar. Garnish with cherry halves, if desired.

3. For frosting: Heat chocolate and margarine/butter over low heat until melted; remove from heat. Stir in water and powdered sugar until smooth.

**Note: If using self-rising flour, omit baking soda and salt.