Cherry Bonbon Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup soft butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons cherry flavoring (optional)
48 sweet fresh cherries, pitted
1 package (6oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Combine flour and cocoa; set aside.

With electric mixer, beat butter, sugar and baking powder until blended. Add egg, vanilla and cherry flavoring; beat until well combined. Gradually beat in flour mixture.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place 1/2 -inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Press down center of each ball with thumb to create a small hollow; fill each center with a cherry.

Heat oven to 350F.

In small pan over low heat, combine chocolate chips and condensed milk; heat until chocolate is melted. Spoon about 1 teaspoon chocolate mixture over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until done. Remove to wire racks and cool.

Makes 48 cookies
Source: Washington State Fruit Commisssion