Gleaming red cherries peek from chocolate nests on these chewy, rich cookies.

Cheery Chocolate Cookies

3/4 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup butter or margarine
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
18 maraschino cherries, halved

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cream sugar and butter in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy; add egg and vanilla, beating until well mixed. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Add to sugar mixture, stirring until combined.
3. Shape into 1-inch balls and place 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Place half a cherry in the center of each cookie, pressing down slightly to attach. Bake for 8 minutes or until slightly golden. Transfer from baking sheet to wire rack; cool slightly.
4. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler. Spoon chocolate around tops of cookies, leaving cherries unfrosted. Continue to cool on a wire rack until chocolate has set.

Makes 36 cookies.