Cherry Chocolate Crackles Food

CHOCOLATE-ORANGE CRACKLES

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Heat the butter, chocolate and 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring, until melted and smooth. Let cool slightly, then add the Grand Marnier and eggs and stir until combined. Add the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Put the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the confectioners' sugar in 2 separate shallow bowls. Form the dough into 1-inch balls. Add the dough balls, a few at a time, to the granulated sugar and roll to coat, then transfer to the confectioners' sugar and roll to coat. Arrange about 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are puffed and cracked, about 12 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY DROPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Blend in the egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, mix in the chopped cherries and walnuts. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

CHERRY-CHOCOLATE LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x4-inch loaf pan with 1 teaspoon butter and reserve.
• Whisk flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a bowl.
• Cream 1/2 cup butter and sugar together in another bowl with a spatula or an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time with a whisk or an electric mixer, fully blending in the first egg before adding the next. Stir in yogurt and vanilla extract.
• Chop pitted cherries coarsely with a knife, or by pulsing on and off a few times in a food processor. Add to the wet ingredients along with the chocolate chunks and chopped walnuts. Stir briefly to combine. Batter may look curdled, but don't worry.
• Pour in the flour mixture and mix with a spatula until all the flour has disappeared. Transfer batter into the prepared loaf pan, making sure to smooth the top evenly and fill in the corners. Tap pan on the counter to release any air pockets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let bread rest in the pan for 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
• While bread is resting, combine powdered sugar and milk in a bowl for icing, adding more milk as needed to reach a thin, runny consistency.
• Brush icing over loaf, allowing to drip down the sides. Let cool completely before slicing and serving, about 20 minutes more.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°.
• Grease and flour 13x9-inch pan.
• In large bowl, combine cake mix, pie filling almond extract and eggs; stir until blended.
• Spread in greased and floured pan.
• Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• In small saucepan, combine sugar, milk and margarine.
• Bring to a boil; boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips until smooth.
• Pour and spread over warm bars.
• Cool completely and cut into bars.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CANDIES

Steps:

• Beat peanut butter, butter and confectioners' sugar until crumbly. Stir in walnuts, coconut, cherries and cherry juice. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of filling into balls. Freeze 10 minutes. , In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip balls in chocolate, allowing excess to drip off; place on waxed paper. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm. Freeze option: Freeze candy in freezer containers, separating layers with waxed paper. To use, serve frozen or thaw in refrigerator before serving.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CREAMS

Steps:

• Melt chocolate and milk over low heat.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in powdered sugar, nuts and cherries, mix well.
• Chill until cool enough to handle.
• Shape into 1-inch balls and roll in nuts or coconut.
• Chill at least 4 hours.
• Keep chilled.