Chocolate Cherry Candies

Name: Chocolate Cherry Candies
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: about 4-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1 cup finely chopped walnuts; 1 cup flaked coconut; 1/4 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries; 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice; 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips; 2 tablespoons shortening

I make these only at Christmastime for family and a few close friends; my family really looks forward to this special treat! —Melody Daugherty, Long Beach, California

Ingredients

2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup flaked coconut
1/4 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening

Directions

Beat peanut butter, butter and confectioners' sugar until crumbly. Stir in walnuts, coconut, cherries and cherry juice. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of filling into balls. Freeze 10 minutes.
In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip balls in chocolate, allowing excess to drip off; place on waxed paper. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.
Freeze option: Freeze candy in freezer containers, separating layers with waxed paper. To use, serve frozen or thaw in refrigerator before serving.