Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

1/2 cup soft butter
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 1/2 cups flour
Pinch of salt
20 to 25 maraschino cherries, well-drained

Icing
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ounce chocolate, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix butter, sugar, vanilla extract and chocolate. Blend in flour and salt. If too dry to handle, add 1 to 2 tablespoons milk.

Wrap level tablespoon of dough around each cherry. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet, and bake 12 to 15 minutes.

Cool. Dip tops in icing. Add coconut, chopped nuts or pecan halves on top, if desired.