posted by jeanndan 10-24-100 3:33 PM
Cherry Polka Dots
40 maraschino cherries, well drained
1/4 cup rum or brandy if desired**
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup All-Purpose flour
**If desired, in small bowl, soak cherries in rum for 30 minutes, drain well. Heat over to 350º.
In a small bowl, cream butter, powdered sugar and vanilla. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour; mix at low speed until combined.
Wrap 1 teaspoon of dough around each cherry to completely cover. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes in a 350º oven. Cool on wire racks while you prepare icing. Slip wax paper under the racks and drizzle the icing over the cookies.
Icing:
1 lb. Confectioners Sugar
3 Tablespoons Meringue Powder
6 Tablespoons Warm Water
Place all ingredients in a grease free, glass mixing bowl. Beat together until peaks form. Drizzle over cookies. If the icing is to thick you can add a little extra warm water, but only a drop at a time as you can ruin the icing.
For another variationg try chocolate icing:
6 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon warm water
1/4 tsp. almond extract
In microwave melt all the above ingredients for about 90 seconds. Stir together. If not smooth place back in microwave for 15 second intervals until smooth, stirring completely each time. Drizzle over cookies on rack with wax paper underneath.