Chocolate-Cherry Christmas Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350F degrees. Beat butter, sugar, egg and vanilla in large bowl until fluffy. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until mixture forms a smooth dough. Remove 1 1/4 cups dough to medium bowl. Blend in cherries, then the almond extract and about 6 drops of red food coloring.

Stir together cocoa powder and baking soda. Add with water to remaining dough. Blend until smooth. Divide chocolate dough in half. Roll each half between two sheets of wax paper, forming 12x4-inch rectangle. Remove top sheet of wax paper. Divide cherry mixture in half. With floured hands, shape each half into 12-inch roll. Place one roll in center of each rectangle and wrap chocolate dough around the cherry roll. Form one large roll. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 6 hours or until firm.

Cut rolls into 1/4-inch slices. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 7 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute then remove to wire rack and let cool completely.