Black Forest Cherry Cookies

Based on the German dessert "Black Forest Cake" these cookies have a sweet chocolate base with richness of cherry.

· 1 cup butter, softened

· 1 1/2 cups brown sugar

· 2 eggs

· 1 teaspoon vanilla

· 3/4 cup cocoa powder

· 2 cups all purpose flour

· 1 teaspoon baking soda

· 1 teaspoon salt

· 1/2 cup granulated sugar for rolling

· ¾ cup of cherry preserves (Bonne Maman recommended)

1. Cream together butter and brown sugar with a mixer, about 3 minutes.

2. Add in eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.

3. In a separate bowl, combine cocoa powder, flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.

4. Refrigerate dough for 1 to 1.5 hours.

5. Using a cookie scoop, scoop dough (around 2.5 tablespoons) and roll in hands until a ball forms. Then, place into granulated sugar, roll around to coat. Place sugar coated dough on a parchment lined baking sheet and make a thumb impression (wide enough to hold 2 tablespoons of preserves). Evenly add 2 tablespoons of cherry preserves to the indention. Bake at 350 degree oven for 9-11 minutes.

6. After removing from oven, allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes and then add an additional 1 tablespoon of preserves to each cookie.