Cherry Chocolate Cookies

Description

 * Makes about 2½ dozen cookies and about ½ cup glaze.

Ingredients

 * ⅔ cup butter or margarine, softened
 * ¾ cup sugar
 * 1 egg
 * 1½ tsp vanilla extract
 * 1⅔ cups all-purpose flour
 * ⅓ cup Hershey's cocoa
 * ¼ tsp baking powder
 * ¼ tsp baking soda
 * ⅛ tsp salt
 * 18 maraschino cherries, well-drained and halved

Chocolate glaze

 * 2 tablespoons sugar
 * 2 tablespoons water
 * ½ cup Hershey's semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

 * 1) Heat oven to 350°F.
 * 2) Beat butter, sugar, egg and vanilla in large bowl until fluffy.
 * 3) Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to butter mixture (dough will be stiff).
 * 4) Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
 * 5) Place about 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
 * 6) Press cherry half into center of each ball.
 * 7) Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until almost set.
 * 8) Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
 * 9) Cool completely.
 * 10) Prepare chocolate glaze.
 * 11) Frost each cookie, leaving top of cherry showing.

Pecan chocolate cookies

 * 1) Prepare cookies as directed omitting cherries.
 * 2) Bake and glaze as directed.
 * 3) Top each cookie with pecan half.

Chocolate glaze

 * 1) Combine sugar and water in small saucepan.
 * 2) Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and sugar is dissolved.
 * 3) Remove from heat; immediately add Hershey's semi-sweet chocolate chips, stirring until melted.
 * 4) Cool until glaze is of spreading consistency.