Dipped Cherry Cookies

Really beautiful, these cookies are terrific for Holiday Cookie Platters, or Valentine's Day, or just because they're yummy! :)

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 48

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3⁄4 cup sugar, divided
• 1  cup  cold butter, cubed
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped maraschino cherry, drained
• 12  ounces  white baking chocolate, finely chopped, divided
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract
• 2  teaspoons shortening
•  coarse sugar and red  edible glitter

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour and 1/2 cup sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Knead in the cherries, 2/3 cup white chocolate and extract until dough forms a ball.
2. Shape into 3/4-inch balls. Place 2-inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with a glass dipped in remaining sugar. Bake at 325 for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
3. In a microwave, melt shortening and remaining white chocolate at 70% power for 1 minutes; stir. Microwave in additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
4. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Sprinkle with coarse sugar and edible glitter. Place on waxed paper until set. Store in an airtight container.