Cherry Cookies

Chocolate + Cherry = Love! 

I found this recipe and decided to give it a try today! The recipe said it made about 36 cookies, but my batch only made around 20.  I would also HIGHLY advise that you use a mixer for this recipe... If you don't have one, do not attempt, your hand will be broken from all the mixing! 

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons maraschino cherry “juice”
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
Granulated sugar, for sprinkling the cookies
12 milk chocolate kisses, unwrapped
12 swirled chocolate hugs, unwrapped 

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. In the bowl of your standing mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter at medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.

3. Reduce the speed to the lowest setting and slowly add the powdered sugar and salt.

4. Add the cherry juice and the almond extract until combined.

5. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the flour, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

6. Increase the mixer speed to medium and add the cherries.  Mix until the dough is emulsified.

7. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, and place the balls on a baking sheet, approximately 2 inches apart.

8.  Using your thumb, gently press each cookie in its center until the cookie is about 1/2-inch thick.

9.  Sprinkle each cookie with a little granulated sugar.

10.  Bake the cookies until the bottoms are lightly browned, about 14 minutes.

11. Once removed from the oven, immediately press a chocolate kiss into each cookie’s center.  If you're using Hugs too, wait about 2 minutes, allowing the cookie to cool a little before adding them to the cookie.

12.  Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Found: http://www.thecurvycarrot.com/2011/03/04/cherry-chocolate-kisses/