Cherry Rum Balls

Ingredients

 * 1 	cup  	HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
 * 1/2 	cup 	Rum
 * 1/4 	cup 	Light corn syrup
 * 3 	cups 	Fine vanilla wafer crumbs (about 80 cookies)
 * 1 1/2 	cups 	Finely chopped pecans
 * 1/2 	cup 	Powdered sugar
 * Additional powdered sugar
 * Red candied cherries, halved (optional)

Directions
Place chocolate chips in small microwave-safe bowl.  Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 minute; stir until chips are melted.  Stir in rum and corn syrup. Stir together vanilla wafer crumbs, pecans, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar.  Drizzle chocolate mixture over crumb mixture, stirring until well blended.  Shape mixture into 1-inch balls; roll in powdered sugar.  If desired, place cherry half in center of each cookie, pressing down lightly. Store in airtight container several days to develop flavor.  Before serving, roll balls in additional powdered sugar, if desired.
 * About 4 dozen cookies.