Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 12-ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 10-ounce jar Maraschino cherries drained and chopped into pieces

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 350°. 
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 
3. In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar, baking soda, butter, egg, and almond extract.
4. With an electric mixer, cream until light and fluffy.
5. Add the flour and salt and mix until just combined.
6. Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir until well distributed.
7. Gently fold in the chopped cherries.
8. Chill cookie dough for 30 minutes.
9. Roll dough into 2 inch balls (the cookies will not expand much in the oven) and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet. 
10. Bake 12-14 minutes or until light brown.
11. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.