 
                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.
 
                         
                    
