Ho Ho Surprises

Ingredients

• 48 red or green maraschino cherries (about one 16 ounce jar)
• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• Confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1. Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly on paper towels; set aside.
2. Put butter and 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until well mixed.
3. Stir in almond extract.
4. Add flour and salt; mix well.
5. Stir in pecans.
6. Shape about 2 teaspoons dough around each cherry. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet about 1 inch apart.
7. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until set but not brown.
8. Roll in confectioners' sugar while still warm. Let cool.
9. If desired, roll in confectioners' sugar again.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: National Cherry Growers Foundation