Cherry Chocolate Balls

Cherry Chocolate Balls The Prepared Pantry
We could have called these black forest balls with the combination of
cherries, chocolate, and almond. These are very good, decadent cookies.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cocoa powder
2 cups powdered sugar
3 1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs or other chocolate cookie crumbs
1 1/2 cups slivered almonds, very finely chopped
1/3 cup whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon cherry flavor
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup dried sweet cherries
1/3 cups powdered sugar (optional)

Directions
Mix the cocoa and powdered sugar together. In the mixing bowl of your
stand-type mixer, combine the chocolate graham cracker crumbs, powdered
sugar and cocoa mixture, and chopped almonds. Mix in cream, almond extract,
cherry flavor, and melted butter. Add the dried cherries. Mix for 1 to 2
minutes.
Shape into one-inch balls and roll in the optional powdered sugar if
desired.
Place the cookies in the refrigerator to become firm. Store them until use
in the refrigerator.