Chocolate Cherry Gems

By HeatherS

Ingredients

• 1 package (18 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• 1/3 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder"
• 3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice, divided
• 1 S maraschino cherries, cut into halves
• 3/4 powdered sugar
• "the Dutch process, or European-style, cocoa gives these cookies an intense chocolate flavor and a dark, rich color. Other unsweetened cocoas can be substituted, but the flavorr may be milder and the color may be lighter.

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Let dough stand at room temperature about 15 minutes.

Combine dough, cocoa and 1 tablespoon cherry juice in large bowl: beat until well blended. Shape dough into 36 (3/4-inch balls); place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Flatten balls slightly; press cherry half into center of each ball.

Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until set. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Combine powdered sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons cherry juice in small bowl; whisk until smooth. Add additional juice. 1 teaspoon at a time, if necessary, to make medium-thick pourable glaze. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies. Let stand until set.