Cherries in the Snow

Ingredients              

1/2 cup maraschino cherries

1/2 cup sugar 

2 1/2 cups flour

1 cup chilled butter  

4 oz. white chocolate baking squares finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Red food coloring (optional)  Wilton's white candy melts (about 4-6 oz.) 

2 teaspoons shortening (optional)

Red sugar sprinkles (optional)

 

Directions

- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

- Spread cherries on paper towels to drain well; chop into small chunks.

- In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. 

- Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in drained cherries and white chocolate.

- Stir in almond extract and, if desired, a few drops of food coloring. Knead mixture until it forms a smooth ball.  (It may seem dry at first, like it is never going to come together but just keep kneading!)

- Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-1/2-inch rounds.

- Bake in preheated oven for about 11 minutes or until centers are set. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

- Melt white candy melts according to package directions.  I like to use a glass bowl over boiling water.  Add shortening (I use 1-2 Tablespoons at a time) until it is the desired consistency.

- Dip one-half of each cookie in the melted candy and lay to dry on parchment paper.  Sprinkle red sugar before the candy sets.

- Once the candy sets, store in an air-tight container.

Flip it!

-Use regular chocolate to dip for a chocolate covered cherry taste!