Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe

 "Note: If you store these they will make the juice around the cherry, like the store bought ones."  Original recipe yield: 50 servings.

INGREDIENTS:

8 tablespoons melted butter
6 tablespoons corn syrup
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 pounds confectioners' sugar
3 (10 ounce) jars maraschino cherries, drained
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 tablespoon shortening

DIRECTIONS:

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and sugar. Knead dough, and form it into balls with a cherry wrapped in the middle. The balls should be approximately the size of walnuts. Place balls in the freezer to chill.
In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips and shortening together. Dip the cooled balls in the chocolate, let cool on parchment paper.

Chocolate Covered Orange Balls

 "A friend gave me this recipe at a cookie exchange party in 1981. I won a 2nd place in a cookie contest with this recipe. It's a GREAT holiday cookie!"  Original recipe yield: 3 dozen.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound confectioners' sugar
1 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers, crushed
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 pound butter
1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 1/2 pounds milk chocolate, melted

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, combine the confectioners sugar, vanilla wafers, walnuts, butter and orange juice. Mix well and shape into 1 inch round balls; allow to dry for 1 hour.
Place chocolate chips in top of double boiler. Stir frequently over medium heat until melted.
Dip balls into melted chocolate and place in decorative paper cups.