CHERRY-FILLED HEART COOKIES

Cherry-Filled Heart Cookies image

These crisp, flaky cookies are a wonderful way to show you care. They take a little effort, but the smiles of satisfaction make it worthwhile. -Audrey Groe, Lake Mills, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield about 4-1/2 dozen filled cookies.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
FILLING:
1/2 cup sugar
4-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup red maraschino cherry juice
12 red maraschino cherries, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
Additional sugar

Steps:

In a bowl, cream the butter and shortening; gradually add sugar. Add egg, milk and vanilla. combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. , Meanwhile, for filling, combine sugar and cornstarch in small saucepan. Add juices, cherries and butter. Bring to a boil; boil and stir for 1 minute. Chill. , Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-in. thickness; cut with a 2-1/2-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour., Place half of the cookies on greased baking sheets; spoon 1/2 teaspoon filling in the center of each. Use a 1-1/2-in. heart-shaped cutter to cut small hearts out of the other half of the cookies. (Bake small heart cutouts separately.) Place the remaining hearts over filled cookies; press edges together gently. Fill centers with additional filling if needed. Sprinkle with sugar. , Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 183 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 19mg cholesterol, Sodium 164mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.