• Cooking Time: 15 minutes + cooling
• Servings: 24 servings
• Preparation Time: 45 minutes + chilling
• 24 maraschino cherries
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon shortening

1. Pat cherries with paper towels to remove excess moisture; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in cherry juice and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.
3. Insert a chocolate chip into each maraschino cherry. Wrap a tablespoon of dough around each cherry. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
5. Bake at 350° for 15-17 minutes or until set and edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
7. In a microwave, melt remaining chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip tops of cookies in melted chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on wax paper; let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

I first tasted these cookies during a "cookie swap" at work a few years ago. Now I make them every holiday for our family get-together. People who haven't had them are always delighted by the "hidden treasure" inside.