Holiday Chocolate Covered Cherries

I make these every year for Christmas goodies and my husband hides them from everybody! They take about two weeks for the centers to get soft. This is a Southern Living recipe that's at least 20 years old. When you buy the cherries check the servings in the jar. You need 50 cherries, give or take a few.

• Ready In: 1 hr 3 mins
• Serves: 50

Ingredients

• 2 (10 ounce) jars maraschino cherries (need 50 cherries)
• 3  tablespoons butter
• 3  tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  cups powdered sugar
• 1 (12 ounce) package  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1  tablespoon shortening

Directions

1. Drain the cherries; pat dry on paper towels, and set aside.
2. In mixer bowl beat butter, corn syrup, and salt until well combined.
3. Stir in powdered sugar and knead until smooth (mixture will be very stiff).
4. Shape 1/2 teaspoon of sugar mixture around each cherry (make sure the cherries are dry so the sugar mixture will stick).
5. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer until cherries are firm.
6. At this point you can place them in a container or freezer bag and return to the freezer for dipping later when it's convenient.
7. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in glass heat-proof bowl, stirring often so the chocolate doesn't burn.
8. Dip each cherry in chocolate and place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
9. A carving fork works great for dipping the cherries.
10. Chill until firm and store in the refrigerator.