Eva's Bon Bons

My mother in law made these and they are a favorite of my husband (and now my boys as well)

Eva's Bon Bons (Chocolate Covered Cherries)

Yield: 3 dozen

2 8-oz jars maraschino cherries (with stems)
2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 Tbsp. milk

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 oz. bag)
2 Tbsp shortening

Drain cherries and pat dry on a paper towel.

Mix together the sugar, butter, almond extract and milk. Roll into 1" balls. Flatten into a circle and place a cherry in the middle. Carefully cover the cherry with the fondant. Refrigerate overnight (4 hours or more).

Once the cherry balls are chilled, melt together the semi-sweet chocolate chips and shortening. Dip the cherry balls into the chocolate. Set on wax paper until firm. Keep refrigerated.