Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies

(Courtesy of Taste of Home)

Ingredients:
1/2 c. butter
1 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. baking cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
48 maraschino cherries, blotted dry
FROSTING:
1 c. (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk
1-3 tsp. maraschino cherry juice

Directions:
In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla.  Combine the dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture (batter will be very firm).  Shape into 48 balls, about 1 inch round, and place on ungreased baking sheets.  Push 1 cherry halfway into each ball.

For frosting, melt chocolate chips in milk in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.  Remove from the heat; add cherry juice and stir until smooth.  Spoon 1 tsp. frosting over each cherry (the frosting will spread over cookie during baking).

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Cool on wire racks.