Chocolate Covered Cherries

You can prepare these ahead. The candy just gets better as it is stored, with the centers becoming even juicier.

• Ready In: 24 mins
• Yields: 36 cherries

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1⁄4 cup margarine, softened
• 1  tablespoon milk
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract
• 2 (8 ounce) jars maraschino cherries, with stems well drained
• 2  cups  semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 ounces)
• 2  tablespoons shortening

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, butter, milk and extract; mix well.
2. Knead into a large ball.
3. Roll into 1-inch balls and flatten each into a 2-inch circle.
4. Wrap around cherries and lightly roll in hands.
5. Place with stems up on waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
6. Cover loosely and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
7. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl.
8. Holding on to stem, dip cherries into chocolate; set on waxed paper to harden.
9. Store in a covered container.
10. Refrigerate 1-2 weeks before serving.
11. Yield: about 3 dozen.