Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened1/2 cup shortening1 cup sugar1 large egg1/2 cup milk1 teaspoon vanilla extract3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon saltFILLING:1/2 cup sugar4-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch1/2 cup orange juice1/4 cup red maraschino cherry juice12 red maraschino cherries, chopped1 tablespoon butterAdditional sugar
Preparation
In a bowl, cream the butter and shortening; gradually add sugar. Add egg, milk and vanilla. combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Meanwhile, for filling, combine sugar and cornstarch in small saucepan. Add juices, cherries and butter. Bring to a boil; boil and stir for 1 minute. Chill.
Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-in. thickness; cut with a 2-1/2-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour.
Place half of the cookies on greased baking sheets; spoon 1/2 teaspoon filling in the center of each. Use a 1-1/2-in. heart-shaped cutter to cut small hearts out of the other half of the cookies. (Bake small heart cutouts separately.) Place the remaining hearts over filled cookies; press edges together gently. Fill centers with additional filling if needed. Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.
