Chocolate-Gingerbre ad Drops

Chocolate-Gingerbre ad Drops

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cups flour
1/2 cup dried tart red cherries
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Preheat the oven to 375 F. In a large mixing bowl, beat the shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the brown sugar, baking soda, ginger, allspice, and salt. Beat until well combined. Beat in the molasses and the egg until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour using a wooden spoon. Stir in the cherries and the chocolate. Drop the dough by rounded teaspoons onto the ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.
Makes 36 cookies