Almost cherry garcia cookies

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05
  
       Title: Almost Cherry Garcia Cookies
  Categories: Cookies
       Yield: 30 servings
  
       1 c  Dried sour cherries
     1/3 c  Cherry-flavored brandy
     1/2 c  Unsalted butter
            ; at room temperature
     1/2 c  White sugar
     1/2 c  Light brown sugar; firmly
            -packed
       1    Egg
   1 1/2 ts Vanilla extract
     1/4 ts Almond extract
     1/4 ts Salt
     1/2 ts Baking soda
   1 1/2 c  All-purpose flour
     3/4 c  Coarsely chopped white
            -chocolate
     1/2 c  Coarsely chopped semisweet
            -chocolate
     1/2 c  Coarsely chopped macadamia
            -nuts
            ; (optional)
  
   Recipe by: The Washington Post 10/30/96 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line
   two baking sheets with parchment paper.
   
   Plump the dried cherries by soaking them in boiling water to cover for a
   couple of minutes. Drain well and toss with cherry brandy. Let the cherries
   sit in the brandy for a couple of hours, or even overnight for the best
   flavor, then drain before using.
   
   Cream the butter with both sugars. Blend in the egg, vanilla and almond
   extracts.
   
   Fold in the salt, baking soda and flour. Fold in the cherries, white and
   dark chocolate and, if using, the macadamia nuts. Batter should be soft.
   
   Drop in generous tablespoons onto the baking sheets, leaving space between
   dollops of batter.
   
   Bake until lightly browned around the edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Cool on
   racks. (Makes about 2 1/2 dozen).
   
   Recipe from Marcy Goldman, a professional baker and food writer based in
   Montreal.
  
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