Shelly's Recipe

CHOCOLATE CHERRY PINWHEELS

Category: Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp finely chopped and well-drained maraschino cherries (about 14 cherries)
1/2 tsp cherry extract or 1/4 tsp cherry oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder
4-1/2 tsp butter, melted

In a large bowl beat 1/2 cup butter and sugar together until creamy. Add egg and vanilla and beat until fluffy. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture slowly and beat until a soft dough forms.

Place half the dough into another bowl and mix in chopped cherries and cherry extract. To the other bowl add cocoa and melted butter. Wrap doughs and refrigerate for one to two hours until firm enough to handle. Divide each dough into two separate ones and roll out each one to an 8 inch square. Place cherry doughs on top of chocolate doughs and roll into logs. Wrap each log in wax paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350. Cut 1/4 inch slices from rolls and place on parchment lined baking sheet; about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool. Makes 5 dozen cookies.