Cherry Peanut Butter Balls

Cherry Peanut Butter Balls
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar
24 to 26 maraschino cherries with stems
Additional confectioners' sugar
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (check for gluten)
1/4 cup shortening

In a small mixing bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Pat cherries dry with paper towel. Dust hands with additional confectioners' sugar. Wrap each cherry with a rounded tablespoon full of peanut butter mixture; shape into a ball. (Peanut butter mixture may need to be refrigerated occasionally while rolling cherries.) Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip peanut butter balls in chocolate; place on waxed paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until set. Yield: about 2 dozen.

Photo and recipe by Taste of Home