BLACK FOREST CHERRY COOKIES

Black Forest Cherry Cookies image

Provided by Cindi M Bauer

Categories Cookies

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 15

2-1/2 c all purpose flour
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 c butter
1-1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (10 oz.) jar(s) maraschino cherries, drained and reserve 2 tablespoons of the juice: for frosting the cookies. (be sure to dry the chopped cherries with paper towels.)
frosting ingredients:
6 Tbsp butter, softened
1/3 c kraft marshmallow creme
2 c powdered sugar
2 Tbsp maraschino cherry juice

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium size bowl whisk together thoroughly, the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
3. In a medium size saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips; stirring constantly until the chocolate chips have melted.
4. Remove the pan from the heat, and cool for 10 minutes.
5. Now whisk in the light brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, until blended together.
6. Add the flour mixture, and stir until smooth.
7. Stir in the chopped cherries and the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
8. Drop tablespoons of cookie dough, 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
9. Bake in oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until toothpick inserted in one of the cookies, comes out clean.
10. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely
11. To make the frosting for the cookies: In a medium size bowl beat together, the frosting ingredients. Pipe or spread frosting over each cookie. (I did sprinkle a bit of red sugar over each cookie, to make them look more festive.) Allow cookies to sit for 2 hours, before placing them in a Tupperware like container. These cookies do freeze well.