White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies

I found this recipe:Creations By Cara

White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies

1/2 cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup cold butter
2/3 cup white chocolate chips, chopped
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 drops red food coloring (optional)
For dipping:
1 1/3 cups white chocolate chips
2 tsp shortening or oil (NOT butter or margarine!)
Drain and chop the cherries; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and sugar. Cut the butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender. Hint: Let the butter sit out for 10-15 minutes, or it is very difficult to mix in. It took me forever! After the butter/flour mixture is crumbly, add the cherries, 2/3 cup white chocolate, and food coloring. It will still be really crumbly, but don't panic. Knead for a few minutes till the dough becomes smooth. Again, my butter was too cold, so this took me forever, but eventually it worked out. Roll dough into 1" balls and place on cookie sheets. Use the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar to flatten each of the balls out. Bake at 325° for about 10-12 minutes. Cool completely.

In a small glass bowl, melt the shortening in the microwave. Add the 1 1/3 cups white chocolate. Microwave at half power, stirring every 30 seconds, till smooth. Dip half of each cookie in the melted chocolate and place on waxed paper till chocolate sets up.

-Makes 4-5 dozen cookies depending on size.

They are so yummy and perfect for Valentines day! This was my second batch in two weeks! On this batch I chopped up red chocolate melting chips and mixed them in! I made this one for a friend of mines valentines party.They are so addicting!