These thumbprint cookies look delightful on a dessert table with other decorated cookies at Christmastime!

Chocolate-Cherry Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa

Filling:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice

Topping:

30 maraschino cherries, patted dry
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 teaspoons shortening

Directions

~Preheat oven to 350°.

~In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour and cocoa; gradually beat into creamed mixture.

~Shape into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Press a deep indentation in center of each with the end of a wooden spoon handle. Bake seven to nine minutes or until firm. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

~For filling, in a small bowl, beat confectioners’ sugar, butter and cherry juice. Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon filling. Top each with a cherry.

~In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Let stand until set.