Monday, November 15, 2010

Christmas Cookies-Cherry Balls!

Hi everyone! Here's a cookie that has a great surprise in the middle-a maraschino cherry!
Cherry Balls
To mix things up a little I added a couple chocolate chips to the middle of the cherry in the green ones.






Pudge says: These directions might seem a bit involved, but once you start making the cookies they will make sense. I promise!
Hope you love them if you try them:@)





 PS-I'm lovin' my new oval serving dish that I picked up at Christmas Tree Shops- $3.19:@)

Cherry Balls
1/2 C shortening
3/4 C sifted powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 C plus 2 Tblsp sifted all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
36 maraschino cherries-WELL drained (I squished mine between a few paper towels a couple times)
Colored sugar for decorating
  1. Cream shortening, sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Blend flour and salt into creamed mixture. This dough does not come together, expect it to make little balls that resemble cottage cheese. You need to squish it together with your fingers to form the balls.
  2. Roll a small amount of dough into a ball, about 3/4" round. 
  3. Then flatten it in the palm of your hand with your other thumb. You want to aim for a thin circle to surround the cherry. As you surround the cherry the dough will crack, just gently work it to smooth it out and completely cover the cherry. Pinch off any extra dough and add it back to the bowl.
  4. Gently roll the ball between your two hands to make a nice smooth ball that's completely covered with no cracks.
  5. Dip top in pretty colored sugar. (This is sweet enough for me, but the original recipe says to completely roll them in sugar.)
  6. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
  7. Makes about 3 dozen.
Note: Because of the cherry, I would not make these cookies way ahead of time and store them. They will stay nice for a couple days in an air tight container. Make 'em and eat 'em!

Thanksgiving Challenge: I'm thankful that there are people that still do the right thing in this world. A store manager was able to recognize a mistake in a receipt and correct it over the phone. It would have required a 30+ minute drive each way!

I'm joining:

48 comments:

  1. Those look terrific! Cherries are my husband's favorite fruit flavor.

    (And I read your thanksgiving, too. Woohoo! That IS something for which to be thankful.)

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  2. Yummy! I need some of these yummy cookies. Thank you for sharing. This is a terrific Christmas cookie. I am collecting recipes so I can make some new treats this season.

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  3. Yum...I think I'd like the ones with chocolate best. :)

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  4. How cute! My kiddos would love these!! (And I might love them too much).

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  5. ummm, bet these would be eaten in a flash by Deeds..she LOVES anything with cherries...:)

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  6. oh my!! those look gorgeous.. and yumm!! I'll attemp this one for sure! Looks fairly easy!

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  7. Hello,
    I think, the last exercise (to eat them soon) is easy to fulfill. They look so yummy. Nice recipe. That is very different to every recipe I saw before. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe and I would love if you would join the Christmas cookie party tomorrow. Everybody else is welcome to join the party, also.
    Greetings to you and to Mr. Pudge, Johanna

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  8. OMG!!! I'm going to prepare these cookies...I love them!!!...And I also love the way, you Americans, prepare Tday and Xmas seasons..... blessings, ciao Flavia

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  9. They sound wonderful! Thanks for sharing. Nice store manager - It could be my imagination but it does seem in this business climate that customer service is coming back...

    Carol

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  10. These are very pretty. Each little cookie is like a Christmas gift with a surprise inside. Gotta love that! La

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  11. My favorite would be the one with the chocolate in it ;) Great recipe and I love your serving platter too!

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  12. Pretty, Christmas perfection, Lynn. Thanks for sharing a sweet surprise!

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  13. Why do I always read these posts when I'm hungry???
    The cookies look delicious!

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  14. Thanks for sharing this wonderful simple recipe. I can't wait to get my decorating finished so I can start my baking! This looks like a great one, and everything in the pantry a bonus for me. Thanks for visiting and your very kind comments. I can't wait to see all the creative ideals I know everyone will have for Christmas. Talk soon.
    Sandy

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  15. They did that for mee too, L, a few years ago. And sent me a 25 dollar gift certif for my trouble. Have to love Christmas Tree Shops!.

    The cookies look delicious!

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  16. Don't you just love Christmas cookies? I sure wish I could find one of the Christmas Tree Shops!

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  17. Wish I had one of your great looking, hot cookie.
    These would be good to make as a little gift for the neighbors.

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  18. Oh my goodness, I love cookies...may have to try these...I'm a new follower.
    blessings,
    glenda

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  19. They love festive and yummy...I just can't get myself to start thinking about baking yet...

    tootles,
    bunny

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  20. Hello Lynn,
    thanks again for joining my party. Ia am very happy about that and your cookies are great. Everybody will be surprised by the cherry.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  21. yum yum..those looked so yummy. What a deal with that serving plate..wow..Happy Rednesday

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  22. These look delicious. Sounds like a fun party. I clicked your follow and added you to my sidebar blogroll. I know I've stopped here before and don't know why I missed that. Look forward to visiting.

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  23. Anything with a maraschino cherry in it is going to taste yummy! I've been looking to try something new for the holidays, and this is so different from all my other cookie recipes. I'm going to give these a try!
    Happy REDnesday!
    Carol

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  24. I may have to try these this year for a party. They look just yummy!
    Happy Rednesday.
    Ann

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  25. They look so festive & very yummy !
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna

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  26. I love how pretty your cookies are and they look might tasty too! :)

    Hope you can stop by and say hi. Also read about my up and coming Have a Holly Jolly Christmas Recipe swap. I would love to have you participate and share some of your family recipes, crafts or traditions. :)

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  27. Those cookies look really tasty and so festive! We'll start holiday baking next week and I may gave these a try.

    Manuela

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  28. Hi Lynn, we have a Christmas cookie baking day every year. This is definitely different and fun. I am making them. I am copying this recipe right now. Happy me. Love the serving dish...especially the price.
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  29. How Sparkly and Yummy looking Sweetie.. Just been seeing your Lil piggy at lots of blogs so I just had to stop by,,,its been a while since I've visited... This is one recipe I'll be using soon....THANKS
    God's blessings ~~~Hugs Dena

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  30. Hi Lynn...

    Oooh...your cherry surprise cookies look soo yummy, my friend! I bet they are really good...I love cherries! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe with us! You know, I guess it is about time to start that Christmas baking! By the way...I love your new serving dish..what a great deal you got on it!

    Lynn, thank you so much for coming by and taking a peek at my autumn table. I really appreciate your sweet note and warm well wishes!!! Just in case I don't get back by before Thanksgiving...sending you many heartfelt wishes and blessings your way for a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friend!

    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  31. Oooh, these sound delicious -- and look so Christmas-y! I love anything with cherries, and adding chocolate was brilliant!

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  32. What pretty cookies! They kind of remind me of Russian Tea Cakes (aka Mexican Wedding Cakes). I hope you have a great Thanksgiving, Lynn!
    Blessings, Beth

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  33. Pretty cookies on a pretty serving tray! The cherry in the center make these really special!

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  34. I just love marschino cherries. These would be great. They are so pretty with the sugar too. Fun holiday cookies.

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  35. I like the idea of cherries and chocolate. Cute serving tray and what a bargain. Joni

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  36. I love maraschino cherries! I'm going to make these for my first batch of Christmas cookies.

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  37. Yummy!! Thanks for sharing!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie @ A Debbie-Dabble Christmas

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  38. These look so yummy, and I love the hidden jewel!

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  39. These look delicious! What a great idea to add some chocolate in with the cherries :-)

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  40. What a delicious surprise to find when you bite into these cookies. Cherries and chocolate are so good together.

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  41. What a beautiful surprise, I love cherries.

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  42. This is really similar to the Bon Bon Cookies recipe I made this week. I love your cherry middles and I love the versatility of this recipe, don't you? Yours are so pretty!

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  43. Ok these look really good, and not that complicated...I am copying this down.

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  44. What a nice surprise:) Love the festive look of your cookies!

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Thank you for stopping by-enjoy your day!