Plain vanilla ice cream is enhanced with a touch of cherry juice and Amaretto and embellished throughout with bright red maraschino cherry halves and chunks of dark semisweet chocolate. It just doesn't get much easier than this to make a dessert that is special enough to serve company.

Easy Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, halved, well drained (reserve juice)
2/3 cup chopped semi sweet chocolate bar, pieces about 1/2-inch square
2 tablespoons reserved cherry juice
2 tablespoons Amaretto liqueur or 1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream

1. Place cherries, chocolate, reserved juice and Amaretto in large mixing bowl.
2. Soften ice cream in microwave. Microwave on defrost 1 to 2 minutes. (Ice cream should be soft, but not runny.)
3. Spoon ice cream into bowl. Quickly mix until all ingredients are well combined. Place ice cream in container with tight fitting lid. Freeze at least 4 hours.
4. Scoop into bowls to serve.

Note: Will keep in freezer up to 1 week.

Recipe and photograph are provided courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute.