Cherry Peanut Butter Candy

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
• 1 cup Jif® Peanut Butter*
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 24 to 26 maraschino cherries with stems
• Additional confectioners' sugar
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup shortening

Directions:

In a small mixing bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Pat cherries dry with paper towel. Dust hands with additional confectioners' sugar. Wrap each cherry with a rounded tablespoon full of peanut butter mixture; shape into a ball. (Peanut butter mixture may need to be refrigerated occasionally while rolling cherries.) Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip peanut butter balls in chocolate; place on waxed paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until set. Yield: about 2 dozen. *Note: Reduced-fat or generic brands of peanut butter are not recommended for this recipe.