Cherry Cordial Cookies

These cookies!  Ah!  I'm in love with this combination of chocolate and cherries.  I also love how simple they are to make while still being elegant enough to give away at Christmastime. 

Add in some pantry-friendly twists and you've got the perfect recipe.

When I think of cherry cordials, I think of a maraschino flavor.  This cherry flavor is different--the cherry here comes from cherry preserves and dried cherries.  So delicious!

See the dried cherries in the cookie itself?  That decadence in the middle is cherry preserves mixed with melted chocolate chips.   By the way, you'll have a little bit of it left over.  I suggest putting it over ice cream, but I'm not saying you can't just eat it with a spoon.

CHERRY CORDIAL COOKIES

PREP TIME:  15-20 minutes
COOK TIME:  10-12 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 package (17.5 oz.) sugar cookie mix
• 3/4 c. chopped dried cherries (about 4 oz.)
• 1/2 c. butter flavor shortening (original recipe:  1/2 c. softened butter)
• equivalent of 1 powdered or freeze-dried egg, rehydrated (original recipe:  1 egg)
• 3/4 c. cherry preserves (about 8-9 oz.)
• 1  1/2 c. chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

Combine in a large mixer bowl the cookie mix, cherries, butter flavor shortening, and egg.  Beat until well-mixed.  Shape into 1-inch balls.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  While baking, make the cherry chocolate centers by microwaving the preserves in a medium bowl for 1 minute, then stirring the chocolate chips in until melted.  Remove the cookies from the oven when ready, then make an indentation in the center of each warm cookie using the back of a tablespoon.  Fill the indentations with the chocolate-cherry mixture.  Cool completely.  Makes about 2 dozen.

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

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