- 2 1/2 cups butter (no substitutes), softened
- 4 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups baking cocoa
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 (12 ounce) package miniature semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 (16 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and halved
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls 3 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Top each with a cherry half. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to wire racks to cool.