CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRY DELIGHTS

Chocolate-Covered Cherry Delights image

Chocolate-covered cherries were my dad's favorite candy, so I designed these cookies for him. They're super-cute with a fudgy sauce and coconut surprise inside. -Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup maraschino cherry juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
TOPPING:
3/4 cup vanilla frosting
48 maraschino cherries with stems, drained and patted dry
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until blended. Gradually beat in cherry juice and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour and cocoa; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in coconut, cherries and chocolate chips., Shape dough into 48 balls (about 1-1/4 in.); place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Press a deep indentation in center of each with the end of a wooden spoon handle. Bake 9-11 minutes or until set and bottoms are lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Fill each cookie with 3/4 teaspoon frosting. Top with cherries. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Spoon over cherries. Let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 160 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 47mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.