Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 (10 oz.) jar cherries (about 48)
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup condensed milk

Directions:

Step 1:
Combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and soda. Set aside.

Step 2:
Drain cherries, reserving juice. Set aside.

Step 3:
In a large mixer bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.

Step 4:
Add sugar and beat till fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and beat well.

Step 5:
Gradually add dry ingredients and beat till combined.

Step 6:
Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press down center of each ball with your thumb. Place a drained cherry in the center of each.

Step 7:
For frosting, in a small saucepan, combine chocolate pieces and condensed milk. Cook and stir over low heat till chocolate is melted.

Step 8:
Stir in 4 teaspoons reserved cherry juice. Spoon about 1 teaspoon frosting over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry. (Frosting may be thinned with additional cherry juice, if necessary).

Step 9:
Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or till edges are firm. Remove from oven and cool completely on wire racks.