3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. Land O'Lakes sweet cream butter, softened
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
10 oz. jar maraschino cherries, drained, reserve juice, halved

FROSTING:

1 c. (6 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp. reserved cherry juice

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixer bowl combine sugar and butter. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed (1-2 minutes). Add egg and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed (1-2 minutes). Add remaining cookie ingredients except cherries. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often until well mixed (1-2 minutes).

Shape into 1 inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on cookie sheets. Press cherry half into center of each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, in 1 quart saucepan combine frosting ingredients. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until chips melt and frosting is smooth (4-5 minutes). Frost cherry on each cookie. Refrigerate until set. Store cookies tightly covered. Yield 3 1/2 dozen.