Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  10            ounces  maraschino cherries with stems -- (about 48)
  2        tablespoons  maraschino cherry juice
     1/2           cup  butter or margarine
  1                cup  sugar
     1/2           cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
     1/4      teaspoon  baking soda
     1/4      teaspoon  baking powder
  1                     egg
  1 1/2           cups  all-purpose flour
                        chocolate-cherry frosting
     1/2           cup  semisweet chocolate chips
     1/3           cup  sweetened condensed milk
  1         tablespoon  reserved cherry liquid -- to 2 tablespoons

Preparation:

Drain cherries, reserving juice. Lightly toss cherries with reserved 2 tablespoons of reserved cherry juice in small bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice. Drain well, reserving liquid. Beat butter or margarine in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder; beat till combined. Beat in egg and 1 teaspoon of the reserved liquid. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour with a wooden spoon. Shape a scant 1 teaspoon of the dough around a cherry. Place each ball in a 1-inch foil or paper bake cup. Place cups 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or till tops look dry. Transfer cookies to wire racks. Frost each warm cookie with 1/2 teaspoon frosting; cool completely. Chocolate-Cherry Frosting: Stir together chocolate chips and sweetened condensed mi! ! lk in a small, heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat just until chocolate is melted, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of the reserved cherry liquid to make of spreading consistency. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Nutritional Information:

66 Calories (kcal); 3g Total Fat; (37% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 10mg Cholesterol; 33mg Sodium