Jessica was Blessed

Christmas is almost here! Today I will post my buried cherry cookie recipe. It is Jessica’s favorite, which in turn reminds me of one of m favorite “Jessica” stories…

Jessica was 4 years old, and generally went to the “nursery” when we attended church, but one year we went to Florida for Christmas and attended the midnight service at St Giles Episcopal Church on Christmas Eve.  When we went forward for communion, we had Jessica cross her arms. After Father Mike gave me communion, He touched Jessica’s  head and said “God Bless You”. After arriving back at our seats, Jessica leaned forward to call me, speaking around her father and brother.  Below is the conversation that followed:

“Psst!, Mom!”
“Shusssh, what?”
“I been Blessed!!!”
 “Yes.”
(even louder) “ MOM!”
“What!”
“How long does it last??!”

I know that Father Mike wondered why there was all that laughter in our section. It was years before I could convince Jessica to take communion….She always preferred to be Blessed!

Jessica’s Buried Cherries

½ c butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg

1 ½ tsp vanilla

1 ½ c. flour

½ c. unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

1-10 oz jar maraschino cherries

1 -6 oz package (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips

½ c. sweetened condensed milk

In a large bowl beat butter until soft, add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, beat well. In a second bowl, sift together, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beat well and shape into 1 inch balls on ungreased cookie sheet. Press down center slightly with your thumb. Drain cherries reserving 4tsp cherry juice. Place a cherry in center of each cookie.

In a small sauce pan, combine chocolate chips and condensed milk and stir constantly on low heat until the chocolate melts. (This can also be done in the microwave).Stir in the 4 tsp of reserved cherry juice. Spoon a scant teaspoon over each cherry, spreading to cover the cherry. Bake in a 350° oven for 10 minutes or until the edges are firm.