Chocolate Covered Cherries

If you store these, they will make the juice around the cherry, just like the ones you buy in the store.

8 tablespoons melted butter
6 tablespoons corn syrup
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract*
3 pounds confectioners' sugar
3 (10 ounce) jars maraschino cherries, drained
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 tablespoon shortening

* Almond extract may be substituted, if desired.

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and sugar. Knead dough, and form it into balls with a cherry wrapped in the middle. The balls should be approximately the size of walnuts. Place balls in the freezer to chill.

In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips and shortening together. Dip the cooled balls in the chocolate, let cool on parchment paper.