I'm on a diet.

So my friend, Dottie, called me up one day in early November and asked if I wanted to be on her team for the "Biggest Loser" contest at her work. It didn't start until the second week of January, so I said "sure!"

January came quickly and it was time to face the music.

I know she's been praying for me and boy-howdy has it helped.

As of Tuesday's weigh-in, I've lost SEVEN pounds. Yippee! Granted it's just a drop in the bucket, but still it's a great start.

What does all that have to do with the cookie picture? My lovely daughter has been on a baking kick lately. She made these beauties last week. They are Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies. Melanie found the recipe last winter. If you like Chocolate-Covered Cherries, then this is the cookie for you. Unless you're on a diet. Then forget I said anything and stay FAR AWAY from this recipe. I'm happy to report that I did not partake of my daughter's baking skills and eat two dozen of these little beauties. I didn't even taste one. I didn't even lick my fingers when I was helping her make them. Aren't you so proud of me? :)

I bet you're wanting the recipe now, huh? Okey-dokey:

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
· 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
· 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
· 1/4 teaspoon salt
· 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
· 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
· 1/2 cup softened butter
· 1 cup sugar
· 1 egg
· 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
· 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries
· 1 (6 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
· 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
PREPARATION:
Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl, set aside.
In another bowl, beat butter and sugar on low speed until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, beat until well blended.
Gradually add in the flour mixture and blend well until smooth.
Shape into 1 inch balls by rolling a small amount of dough between the palms of your hands.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Using thumb, press down center of ball making an indentation.
Drain cherries, reserving the juice. Place a cherry in the center of each cookie.
For frosting: In a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat over low heat until chocolate is melted. Add 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon reserved cherry juice and stir.
Spoon about 1 teaspoon frosting over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry. If frosting gets too thick, add a little more cherry juice.
Bake in oven at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
Makes 48 cookies (there are 30 cherries in a jar, so some will need cut in half)