Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Ingredients:
1 box Devils Food Cake mix
1 1/2 cup cherry pie filling
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Mix all ingredients well by hand. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Remove from cookie sheet and let cool. Frost with icing if desired. Don't store in an airtight container - they might be too soft.

What I did differently from the recipe:
Nothing.

What I'll do differently next time:
Nothing.

Verdict:
Neutral. I won't be making these again but for some reason they're strangely addictive! I bet I ate a dozen of these even though I didn't think they were fabulous. They were definitely easy, that's for sure. I think it's the consistency that gets me - they're really soft. Like I said though, very easy to make and easy to snack on. They're just not something I'd make in the future probably.

Printable version:

Ingredients:
1 box Devils Food Cake mix
1 1/2 cup cherry pie filling
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Mix all ingredients well by hand. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Remove from cookie sheet and let cool. Frost with icing if desired. Don't store in an airtight container - they might be too soft.

Ingredients:
1 box Devils Food Cake Mix
1/3 stick all-vegetable shortening sticks or 1/3 cup all-vegetable shortening
1/3 cup cold water
1 large egg
1 container chocolate fudge frosting

Heat oven to 375. Combine cake mix and shortening in medium bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until a coarse meal forms.

Add water and egg, mixing on low, until a smooth dough forms.

Shape dough into balls. Place on a cookie sheet. Flatten balls of dough with spatula or cup.

Bake 5-7 minutes or until center is firm. Cool and them remove to a cooling rack. Spread frosting over cookies. Use sprinkles, if you like!

What I did differently from the recipe:

I know I used more shortening than it called for. Not much, but just enough to make the consistency that I thought was right. I also didn't flatten the first batch of cookies, and I don't recommend that. Flattening them definitely made them cook faster and more thoroughly. I left some cookies plain, some have chocolate frosting, some have frosting and sprinkles, and some have chocolate chips in them. Play with them as desired!

What I'll do differently next time: Nothing at all.

Verdict: Thumbs up!! This recipe took less than 15 minutes to make, and was so easy. They are also great for a snack when one is up nursing every few hours...