Cherry Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained, reserve juice
• 1 (6-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and soda, blending well; set aside.

1. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter or margarine and sugar on low speed until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well.
Gradually add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture; beat until smooth and well blended.

2. With hands, shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on ungreased baking sheet.
Press down center of dough with thumb.

3. Drain Maraschino cherries well, reserving juice.
Place a cherry in the center indention of each cookie.

4. In small saucepan combine chocolate pieces and sweetened condensed milk;
heat over low heat until chocolate is melted.
Stir in 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of the reserved cherry juice.
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the topping over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry.
If frosting seems too thick, thin with a little more cherry juice.

**I was worried that I read my original recipe wrong when it told me to put the frosting on BEFORE baking. I thought it would melt and run all over. But I did as it said and it is amazing! this super-silky chocolate frosting does not melt or run anywhere! it seals in the cherry beautifully!**

5. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes, or until done.
Remove to wire rack to cool.

Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies.