Shelly's Recipe

BRANDIED CHERRY BALLS

Category: Candy

1/2 cup dried cherries, finely chopped
1/2 cup cherry brandy
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3-3/4 cups confectioners sugar
6 ounces dark chocolate candy coating, chopped
1 tablespoon shortening

DRIZZLE:
White candy coating, chopped
Pink paste food coloring

Place cherries in a small bowl. Cover with brandy; refrigerate overnight.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add confectioners sugar; beat until crumbly. Drain cherries, reserving 2 teaspoons brandy. Add cherries and reserved brandy to cream cheese mixture.

Roll into 1-1/2-inch balls. Place balls on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and refrigerate for 1 hour.

In a microwave, melt the dark chocolate, candy coating and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Return to the baking sheet.

For drizzle, melt a small amount of white candy coating in a microwave; stir in food coloring until smooth. Drizzle over candies. Chill until set. Yield: about 3-1/2 dozen.