Cherry Cookies with Vanilla Frosting Dip

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 1 cup shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 10 ounce jar maraschino cherries
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 5 cups flour 

For the frosting dip:

• 1/2 c butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 TBSP milk
• about 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Remove cherries from jar, reserving the juice, and roughly chop them.
2. Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, cherries and cherry juice, mix well.
3. Add salt, soda and baking powder, mix well.
4. Add flour and mix just until incorporated.
5. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 3-4 hours. 
6. Roll dough on floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes (hearts, etc.)
7. Bake cookies at 350 degrees F for 7 - 10 minutes (7 for smaller shapes, 10 for larger)
8. Place on a cooling rack and let cool before serving.
9. For frosting: melt butter and combine all ingredients, mixing until smooth. Adjust consistency to preference by adding more milk (to thin) or more powdered sugar (to thicken).

 Recipe & Photo adapted from jensfavoritecookies.com