Holiday Hideaways

Name: Holiday Hideaways
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: about 4-1/2 dozen.
Cuisine: Europe, German
Ingredients: 3/4 cup sugar; 2/3 cup butter-flavored shortening; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon whole milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 jars (10 ounces each) maraschino cherries, well drained; 10 ounces white candy coating, divided; 4 tablespoons butter-flavored shortening, divided; 8 ounces dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped; Finely chopped pecans

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 10 min. + cooling YIELD: about 4-1/2 dozen.

People eagerly anticipate these tasty cookies as part of our "season's eatings" each year. The surprise cherry center surrounded by a fluffy cookie makes this treat especially fun. With the chocolate coating, they're almost like candy—and always the first to go! —Marianne Blazowich, Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter-flavored shortening
1 egg
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 jars (10 ounces each) maraschino cherries, well drained
10 ounces white candy coating, divided
4 tablespoons butter-flavored shortening, divided
8 ounces dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped
Finely chopped pecans

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream sugar and shortening until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, milk and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
2. Form 2 teaspoons of dough into a ball. Flatten ball with a glass coated with cooking spray. Place a cherry in the center; roll dough around cherry. Repeat with remaining dough and cherries. Place balls 2-in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until set and the edges are lightly browned. Cool 1 minute before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
4. Grate 2 oz. white candy coating; set aside. In a microwave, melt remaining white coating with 2 tablespoons shortening; stir until smooth. Melt dark coating with remaining shortening in a microwave; stir until smooth.
5. Dip half the cookies into white coating; allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper. Sprinkle with pecans. Dip the remaining cookies in dark coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper. Sprinkle with grated white coating. Let stand until set. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 227 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.