Cherry Winks Recipe

In all my years of cooking, I would say my favorite recipes are those that have stood the test of time over the years. These are the recipes that are basic, down-to-earth food that aren't complicated or very expensive to make. Many food companies have recipes they've developed that fit those very descriptions: good, easy and economical. And it's these recipes we see on the backs of boxes, labels and bags of company's products that we've come to rely on time and time again.

Here one cookie recipe falls into this very category. It's a favorite cookie flavored with cherries,dates and nuts. Does the name "Cherry Winks" strike a familiar cord? If so, then you may already know how very good these cookies are! If not, then you have a treat in store! This recipe came from the Kellogg cereal folks and uses their brand of corn flakes. Though I'd seen this recipe many times over the years, I didn't make the for the first time until a few years ago. They are indeed sensational cookies and I can easily see why this recipe has become very popular.

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This recipe makes about five dozen cookies and that'll give you plenty to share with others during the holiday season, as well as enjoy yourself. They also freeze very well, if well packaged. The cookies themselves get their cherry flavor from candied red cherries. Though I've not tried it, you could use a mixture of red and green cherries, if you would like some Christmas colors in your cookies. The recipe also uses dates and nuts, which really add to the flavor.

The corn flakes I mentioned are crushed and the dough rolled into balls. The balls of dough are rolled in the cornflakes and topped with a quarter of a candied cherry. They are now ready for the oven and in about ten minutes, you'll have some very fine holiday cookies!

Make a batch of these cherry-flavored cookies and you'll see why this recipe has stood the test of time!

CHERRY WINKS

• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 cup finely chopped pitted dates
• 1/3 cup finely chopped red candied cherries
• 2-2/3 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed to measure 1-1/3 cups
• 15 red candied cherries, quartered

Firstyle stir together the flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside. Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs and beat well. Stir in milk and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix until well combined. Stir in nuts, dates and chopped cherries. With a level measuring tablespoon, shape dough into balls. Roll in crushed cornflakes. Place about two inches apart on greased baking sheets (or line with baking parchment). Top each with a quarter of a cherry. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 min. Or until lightly browned. Then remove immediately from baking sheets and cool on wire racks. Yield: about 5 dozen.