Cherry Filled Heart Cookies

Cherry Filled Heart Cookies

Yields about 4 1/2 dozen filled cookies
Cookies:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Cherry Filling:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup red maraschino cherry juice
12 red maraschino cherries, chopped
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
Additional sugar


In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and shortening; gradually add sugar. Add egg, milk and vanilla extract.
Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Meanwhile, make Cherry Filling (directions below).

Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness; cut with a 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour. Place half of the cookies on greased baking sheets; spoon 1/2 teaspoon filling in the center of each. Use a 1 1/2-inch heart-shaped cutter to cut small hearts out of the other half of the cookies.(Bake small heart cutouts separately.) Place the remaining hearts over filled cookies; press edges together gently. Fill centers with additional filling if needed. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.


Cherry Filling Directions:

Combine sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Add juices, cherries and butter. Bring to a boil; boil and stir for 1 minutes. Chill