DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHERRY DROPS

Double Chocolate Cherry Drops image

Provided by Ashley U

Time 1h12m

Yield 48 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup maraschino cherry, well drained, chopped, reserve juice
3 (1 ounce) baking chocolate squares
2 tablespoons butter
2 3/4 cups powdered sugar
5 tablespoons half-and-half
1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
maraschino cherry, halved

Steps:

Heat oven to 350°.
Combine 1 cup butter, brown sugar and sugar large mixer bowl.
Add egg and almond extract; continue beating until well mixed.
Reduce speed to low.
Add flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt beat until well mixed.
Stir in chocolate chips and ½ cup cherries by hand drop dough by level tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes.
Cool completely.
Melt chocolate and 2 tablespoons butter in 1 quart saucepan over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth.
Combine chocolate mixture and powdered sugar in small bowl.
Stir half & half and reserved cherry juice until smooth.
If frosting is too thick, stir in additional cherry juice.
Frost cooled cookies.
Place 1 cherry half in center of each cookie.
Let stand on waxed paper until set.