1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 (10 oz.) jar maraschino cherries (about 48)
1 (6 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate pieces (not imitation)
1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl beat butter until softened. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Beat well.

In separate bowl mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Gradually add this mixture to butter mixture, beating well. Shape into 1 inch balls. Place on cookie sheet (ungreased) 2 inches apart. Press down center of each ball with your thumb. Drain cherries, reserving juice. Place a cherry in center of each cookie.

In a small saucepan combine chocolate and condensed milk. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted. Stir in 4 teaspoons reserved cherry juice. Spoon 1 teaspoon frosting over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry. (Frosting may be thinned with additional juice.) Bake about 10 minutes or until edges are firm. With pancake turner lift cookies onto a cooling rack. Makes 48.