c h e r r y M & M c o o k i s s

1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained, reserve juice
1 pack M&M’s chocolate candies
1 (6-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
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 butter or margarine softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

In large bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and soda. In mixer bowl, beat together butter or margarine and sugar on low speed until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually add dry ingredients and M&M's chocolate candies to creamed mixture; beat until well blended. Shape dough into 1" balls; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Press down center of dough with thumb. Drain Maraschino cherries, reserving juice. Place a cherry in the center indention of each cookie. In small saucepan combine chocolate pieces and sweetened condensed milk; heat over low heat until chocolate is melted. Stir in 4 teaspoons of the reserved cherry juice. Spoon about 1 teaspoon frosting over each cherry spreading to cover cherry. (frosting may be thinned with additional cherry juice if necessary) Bake at 350 degrees or until done. Remove to wire rack to cool.