CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY COOKIES RECIPE
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Open the cherries, drain and reserve the cherry juice and place the cherries on paper towels to dry well.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (that's one stick of butter)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup cocoa, sift if necessary to remove lumps
- 1 jar/can Maraschino cherries pitted of your choice
Extra Sugar in a small bowl to coat/roll the cookie balls in
GANACHE To Top The Cherry Off With
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- A little cherry juice if you desire for flavor...just a touch.
Note: *This will make a lot of Ganache, but any leftover can be used in hot chocolate*
COOKIE BATTER INSTRUCTIONS
Using a stand mixer
- Cream the butter and add the sugar, mixing well until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla, mix just until blended
- In a large bowl, add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, & cocoa mix by hand lightly
- Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients in the bowl of the mixer, beating carefully
- The batter will be dry, may appear crackly, but it will handle well when you begin to work with it
- Using a scoop or two teaspoons, measure & shape with your fingers into 1-inch size balls
- Roll the cookie balls into the small bowl of sugar
- Place the cookie balls onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet
- Use your thumb or any finger to punch a hole into the center of each cookie ball
- Place a cherry into the center hole you just made in the cookie
- Bake 10 -12 minutes
- Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes
- Top each cookie with a teaspoon or so of the Chocolate Ganache -Let sit until the chocolate is set
GANACHE INSTRUCTIONS
Note: **While cookies are baking, you can make the Ganache**
- Heat the cream just until boiling
- Turn the burner off
- Pour the hot cream into the chocolate chips, let this sit for a few minutes, then stir slowly to mix & melt well.
- You may add a tiny bit of the reserved cherry juice for flavor if you wish
- Continue mixing the Ganache until it is very smooth, thickened, and glossy.
- Top the cherry on top of each cookie after they've baked and have cooled for a few minutes
- Let the chocolate set before trying to move any of the cookies