Cherry Pie Cookies

 Now through January 16, 2017, please vote for my Easy Pie Cookie recipe on Instructables, I sure would love a robot apron! Also, hurry on over to my facebook page for a chance to win a free pro membership to Instructables.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Pie-Cookies/

Oh my goodness, get out of town, these cookies are delish!

There weren't any notable dishes or recipes in the cooking magazine we just got in the mail until the very last pages, when hubby spotted the ad for Lucky Leaf Cherry Pie filling.  The ad featured a plateful of delicious looking cookies and a recipe for Cherry Pie Cookies.

We all love cherries, so I tried the recipe right away, and then made them again for Thanksgiving.  The cookies were a big hit and now they are a new family favorite.

The easy to bake cookies are almost magical...their disappearing act is amazing.

Cherry Pie Cookies
by Lucky Leaf

Makes 2 dozen cookies
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup margarine, softened
2 cups flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 (21 oz) can of cherry pie filling
1/2 cup white chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips (I used Wilton candy melts)

Mix butter and margarine until fluffy.  Add flour, powdered sugar and vanilla just until combined and soft dough is formed.

Roll the dough into two-inch balls.  Place on greased baking sheet or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Press thumb into center of cookie to make a well.  Place cherries into each cookie.

Bake for 12-15 minutes.  Allow cookies to cool.

Melt chocolate according to package directions.  Drizzle over cookies.  Let chocolate set and serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

Notes:  I made my balls a little smaller than the recipe calls for, about 1 1/2 in., and did not push down the center too hard, so the cookie does not get thin in the center and break.  I placed 3 cherries in each cookie, and came up a bit short on cherries.  Drizzling the chocolate didn't work for me , so I used a small ziplock bag, snipped a corner then piped the chocolate on.

Shredded Chicken Sandwiches

Shredded chicken sandwiches are a regional dish of Ohio and are served at potlucks, concession stands, parties and even restaurants. 

These sandwiches cook up super fast with my new Instapot, but you can also cook the chicken in a regular pressure cooker, crock pot, or start with a rotisserie chicken or canned chicken for a quick and yummy dinner.   

Shredded Chicken Sandwiches:
Make a gravy with about 1/4 cup of flour, 1 can of chicken broth, and 1 can cream of chicken soup 
Add 1-2 lbs. cooked shredded chicken
1-2 sleeves of ritz crackers (crushed), season to taste
Serve warm on buns with a slice of American cheese

To cook the chicken in a Instapot or pressure cooker:
Add 1 can of chicken broth and chicken, (about 5 breasts or 2 lb of tenders) to pressure cooker.  Season.
Use the poultry setting or pressure cook for 15 minutes.
Remove chicken from pot and shred.  In the pot make a gravy using the Saute setting.
Stir in crackers and chicken, serve warm on bun with a slice of American cheese.

You can make these quick sandwiches at home to enjoy anytime you need a quick meal, or just craving a bit of the Midwest.