Hidden Treasures

A maraschino cherry wrapped in tender cookie dough, baked until just set, then dunked in melted chocolate. That’s the hidden treasure here, and the surprise when you bite through the chocolate shell is genuinely fun.

The dough is simple and pliable enough to press around each cherry in a thin layer. You want it thin so the cookie bakes through in about 10 minutes without leaving raw dough around the fruit. Drain those cherries well on paper towels first, because any moisture will make the dough slide off and the chocolate won’t stick.

Half get dipped in white chocolate with chopped pecans on top. The other half go into dark semi-sweet chocolate with white chocolate slivers. The contrast looks sharp on a cookie platter.

Chef Tips

• Drain cherries on paper towels for at least 15 minutes. Wet cherries are the number one reason these fall apart.
• Keep the dough layer thin and even. If it’s too thick, the center stays underbaked while the outside browns.
• Melt chocolate with shortening over very low heat or in short microwave bursts. Overheated chocolate seizes and turns grainy.
• Use a fork to dip cookies and let excess chocolate drip off before setting them on wax paper.

Variations

• Use dried cranberries or a hazelnut in place of the cherry for a different surprise filling.
• Roll dipped cookies in crushed candy cane pieces during the holidays for a peppermint twist.
• Try milk chocolate for the dip if you prefer a sweeter, less intense coating.