Fruit Drops Florentine

Dorel's Note:

Bright red and green cherries lend these fruitcake-like cookies a holiday disposition. A thin drizzle of chocolate makes them even sweeter. This recipe is from Meals.com These look great on a tray of Christmas goodies.

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 52 cookies

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 2 1/4 cups flour, divided
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup chopped candied red cherries
• 1/2 cup chopped green glazed cherries
• 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoons shortening

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375*.
2. In a large bowl cream shortening and butter until well blended.
3. Add 1 cup flour, sugar, eggs, baking soda and vanilla.
4. Mix well.
5. Stir in almonds and cherries.
6. Beat until combined, then stir in remaining 1-1/4 cups flour.
7. Drop batter by teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased baking sheet.
8. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden.
9. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before transfering to wire racks. Makes 52 cookies using 1 1/2 in cookie scoop
10. In a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips and the 2 teaspoons shortening.
11. Cook over low heat to melt, stirring until smooth.
12. Drizzle over cookies.