CHOCOLATE-CHERRY THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Chocolate-Cherry Thumbprint Cookies image

These look so pretty at Christmas on a tea table with other decorated cookies. They taste as good as they look, and they are eaten quickly wherever and whenever I take them. They're also ideal for Valentine's Day, and every other day of the year! -Stephanie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
FILLING:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
TOPPING:
30 maraschino cherries, patted dry
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 teaspoons shortening

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour and cocoa; gradually beat into creamed mixture., Shape into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Press a deep indentation in center of each with the end of a wooden spoon handle. Bake 7-9 minutes or until firm. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., For filling, in a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, butter and cherry juice. Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon filling. Top each with a cherry. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 84 calories, Fat 4g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 27mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.