Cherry Bonbon Cookies

Ingredients

• 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

Servings

Makes 48 cookies

Directions

1. Combine flour and cocoa; set aside.

2. With electric mixer, beat butter, sugar and baking powder until blended.

3. Add egg, vanilla and cherry flavoring; beat until well combined.

4. Gradually beat in flour mixture.

5. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place 1/2 -inch apart on ungreased baking sheet.

6. Press down center of each ball with thumb to create a small hollow; fill each center with a cherry.

7. Heat oven to 350F.

8. In small pan over low heat, combine chocolate chips and condensed milk; heat until chocolate is melted.

9. Spoon about 1 teaspoon chocolate mixture over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry.

10. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until done.

11. Remove to wire racks and cool.

Quick Cherry Crumb Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups buttermilk baking mix

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

• 3/4 cup diary sour cream 

• 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 1/2 cups pitted and halved fresh Northwest sweet cherries, divided

• 1/2 cup flour

• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine (softened)

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Servings

Makes 9 servings

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Mix baking mix, sugar and lemon peel.

3. Combine sour cream, melted butter and egg; mix well.

4. Add sour cream mixture to baking mix mixture and stir only until moistened.

5. Fold in 1/2 cup cherries.

6. Pour into oiled and floured 8-inch square baking pan.

7. Sprinkle remaining cherries and Streusel Topping over batter.

8. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. 

Cherry Streusel Topping: 

1. Combine 1/2 cup flour, 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

2. Mix in 3 tablespoons softened butter or margarine with a fork.

3. Add 1/4 cup chopped walnuts and mix well.

4. Makes about 1 cup.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving: 341 Cal., 5.1 g pro., 16.6 g fat (44% Cal. from fat), 42.8 g carb., 52 mg chol., 1.6 g fiber. 488 mg sodium.