Chocolate Cherry Crackles

George Washington February 22, 1732

Some fun DID YOU KNOW? trivia facts

Washington was the only president to be elected unanimously.

• Washington became known as "the father of his country."
• Washington was the only president inaugurated in 2 cities - New York and Philadelphia.
• Washington was the only president that did not live in the White House. He was involved in the planning of the Capitol.
• Washington did his own bookkeeping and recorded every penny of expense in a ledger that is still available today.
• His inaugural address was the shortest inaugural address in U.S. history: It was only 133 words long and took him just 90 seconds to deliver.
• He lost all of his teeth except for one by — according to second president John Adams — cracking Brazilian nuts between his jaws. He got dentures made out of a hippopotamus tusk, designed especially to fit over his one remaining real tooth. But the hippo dentures were constantly rubbing against that real tooth so that he was constantly in pain. He used opium to alleviate the pain.
• He snored very loudly, and instead of wearing a powdered wig like other fashionable people, he put powder on his own hair, which was naturally a reddish brown.
• He was not at good at spelling and had a speech impediment.

  

The cherry tree myth is the most well-known and longest enduring legend about George Washington. In the original story, when Washington was six years old he received a hatchet as a gift and damaged his father’s cherry tree. When his father discovered what he had done, he became angry and confronted him. Young George bravely said, “I cannot tell a lie…I did cut it with my hatchet.” Washington’s father embraced him and rejoiced that his son’s honesty was worth more than a thousand trees.

Chocolate Cherry Crackles
Cook's Notes: And I can not tell a lie either as chocolate and cherries are simply a "marriage made in heaven" and are super delicious together. And I  do believe  Washington would have enjoyed a plate of these cookies speckled with cherry bits and chocolate chunks.
Recipes makes 18 cookies and was adapted from Food Network December 2017 and December 2020. 

Ingredients:

• 1-3/4 cups flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick of butter, room temperature
• 1 cup of sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup cherry jam or preserves
• 5 drops food coloring, red
• 1/2 tsp. each vanilla and almond extract
• 1-4 oz. semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate bar, chopped small or 3/4 cup Dark Chocolate Chips 
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar

Directions:

• Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• Beat butter, 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar on medium high until light and fluffy. Add in egg, jam, food coloring and extracts. Mix well.
• Reduce speed to low and mix in flour mixture.
• Fold in chocolate and cherries.
• Chill dough in freezer about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone pad. Lay a long sheet of wax paper on counter. Roll heaping tablespoons of dough into balls and place on wax paper.
• In two different small bowls; add 1/2 cup confectioners sugar in one and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in the other. Roll dough balls in granulated sugar first, then confectioners sugar. Shake off any excess. Place on baking sheet two inches apart.
• Bake 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack and use a sifter to redust each cookie with confectioners sugar while warm.

Note-a cup of coffee or tea is a must with these cookies

More chocolate and cherry treats from Ever Ready include: 

Black Forest Trifle

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2018/11/black-forest-desserts.html

Roasted Cherries Dark Chocolate Brownies

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2014/07/caprese-salad-with-roasted-cherry-dark.html

Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies with Cherries and Toasted Coconut

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2014/07/caprese-salad-with-roasted-cherry-dark.html

Cherry Coke Float Chocolate Cupcakes

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2017/06/cherry-coke-float-cupcakes.html