1 cup sugar½ cup margarine or butter, softened1 egg2 ounces unsweetened chocolate melted and cooled1/3 cup buttermilk, milk or water1 teaspoon vanilla1 C\v cup all-purpose flour* or whole wheat flour½ teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon salt4 16-ounce jars maraschino cherries, stemless or halves*If using self-rising flour, omit baking soda and salt.Heat oven to 400 degrees. Chop cherries, reserving 50 halves for garnish. Mix sugar, margarine, egg, chocolate, buttermilk and vanilla.Stir in flour, baking soda, salt and cherries.Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart into ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched; cool.Frost with Chocolate Frosting or dust with powdered sugar. Garnish with cherry halves, if desired. Makes 4½ dozen cookies.

Chocolate Frosting2 ounces unsweetened chocolate2 tablespoons margarine or butter3 tablespoons water1+ cups powdered sugarHeat chocolate and margarine/butter over low heat until melted; remove from heat. Stir in water and powdered sugar until smooth.