Cherry-Chocolate Blossoms - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine, softened
2 teaspoons maraschino cherry juice
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 -4 drops red food coloring
2 1/4 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 - 1/2 cup maraschino cherry, drained, chopped
48 48 chocolate stars or 48 Hershey chocolate kisses

Preparation

In large bowl, combine powdered sugar, butter, cherry liquid, almond extract and food color; blend well.
Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.
Add flour and salt; mix well.
Stir in cherries.
If dough is too dry, add a little more cherry liquid until dough holds together when shaped.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are just slightly brown.
Immediately top each cookie with a chocolate candy, pressing down firmly.
Remove from cookie sheets and cool.