Chocolate Covered Cherry Thumbprints Food

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• 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-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Press a deep indentation in center of each with the end of a wooden spoon handle. Bake 7-9 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.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRY THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening, brown sugar and salt until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, until easy to handle, 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into 1-1/4-in. balls. In a shallow bowl, whisk egg white until foamy. Place almonds in a separate shallow bowl. Dip balls in egg white; roll in almonds., Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Press a deep indentation in center of each with your thumb. Bake until edges are light brown, 10-12 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks., In a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, cherry juice, butter and milk until smooth. Fill each cookie with 1/4 tsp. filling; top with 1 cherry. Drizzle with candy coating. Let stand until set.

CHOCOLATE THUMBPRINTS WITH CHERRIES AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon shortening in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Combine sugar and butter in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in cooled chocolate mixture. Add egg, milk, and vanilla extract; beat until well combined. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt; beat on low speed until just combined and a dough forms.
• Shape dough into 3 dozen 1-inch balls and roll in chopped walnuts to coat. Place balls 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Make an indentation in the center of each cookie using your thumb.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are firm, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool, about 30 minutes.
• While cookies are cooling, place remaining 3/4 cup chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon shortening in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Spoon a cherry with some of the sauce into the center of each cooled cookie and drizzle chocolate mixture over the tops. Let stand until chocolate is set.