Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, cocoa, 1/4 teaspoon salt, baking powder and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture.
2. Drain cherries, reserving 1-1/2 teaspoons juice. Pat cherries dry. Shape 1 tablespoon of dough around each cherry. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool on wire racks.
3. For frosting, in a saucepan, heat chocolate chips and milk until chips are melted; stir until smooth. Remove from the heat. Add reserved cherry juice and remaining salt. Frost cookies.