Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained, reserve juice
1 (6-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

PREPARATION:
In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking
powder and soda, blending well; set aside. In a mixing bowl,
beat together butter or margarine and sugar on low speed
until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually add
dry ingredients to the creamed mixture; beat until smooth
and well blended. With hands, shape dough into 1-inch balls;
Place on ungreased baking sheet. Press down center of dough
with thumb. Drain Maraschino cherries well, reserving juice.
Place a cherry in the center indention of each cookie.

In small saucepan combine chocolate pieces and sweetened
condensed milk; heat over low heat until chocolate is melted.
Stir in 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of the reserved cherry
juice. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the topping over each cherry,
spreading to cover cherry. If frosting seems too thick, thin
with a little more cherry juice. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes,
or until done. Remove to wire rack to cool.
Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies.