Coconut-Cherry Ornaments

» This is a recipe I got last year from the fabulous Tesa. I altered it slightly, and now enjoy it as a permanent fixture at my family's annual Bake Day. My aunt insists they should be called Cherry Bombs, but I believe Ornaments sounds more festive :) They are a little bit time-consuming, but it is totally worth it in the end. Make sure you have enough cherries, because if you try to use the dough up on not enough cherries they become too large and difficult to eat.


Coconut-Cherry Ornaments
Preheat oven to 350° - Makes 3 dozen


Ingredients:
» 1 c. butter, softened
» 1/2 c. powdered sugar
» 1 T. water
» 1 t.vanilla
» 2 c. quick-cooking oats
» 1/2 t. salt
» 36 stemmed maraschino cherries


Coating:
» 2 c. powdered sugar
» 1/4-1/3 c. milk
» 2 c. flaked coconut
» Red decorating sugar


Preparation:
» Cream together butter, sugar, water and vanilla using an electric mixer.
» In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats and salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.
» Shape a tablespoonful of dough around each cherry, forming a ball. Make sure the stems poke out the top for the "hook" of the ornament.
» Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until bottoms are browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
» Combine sugar and enough milk to achieve smooth dipping consistency. In a separate bowl, combine coconut and enough red sugar to give it color. Dip cookies in the milk mixture, then roll in the coconut. Let dry.


Enjoy!




» Original recipe from Tesa