Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls

Name: Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 5 dozen.
Ingredients: 40 gingersnap cookies; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided; 1-1/4 cups sliced almonds, divided; 2 tablespoons chopped candied orange zest; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 60 maraschino cherries, stems removed

Here's my twist on the traditional German holiday lebkuchen—with a surprise inside. Maraschino cherries add a sweet and unexpected punch to the holiday spice of gingersnaps. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Ingredients

40 gingersnap cookies
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1-1/4 cups sliced almonds, divided
2 tablespoons chopped candied orange zest
1 teaspoon almond extract
60 maraschino cherries, stems removed

Directions

Place gingersnaps, cream cheese, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup almonds, orange zest and extract in a food processor; process until combined. Refrigerate until firm enough to form into balls. Pat cherries dry with paper towels. Wrap each cherry with a rounded tablespoonful of cream cheese mixture; shape into a ball. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
Chop remaining sliced almonds; set aside. In a double boiler, melt remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Dip cherry balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Sprinkle balls with almonds. Place on waxed paper. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.