Black Forest Christmas Cookies (Chocolate & Cherry Bliss!)

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cherry preserves
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ½ cup dark chocolate shavings

Instructions

1. Cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a large bowl. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
2. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients to form a soft dough.
3. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Shape chilled dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on the baking sheet, spaced apart.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until set around the edges. Cool on a wire rack.
7. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
8. Once cooled, top each cookie with cherry preserves, whipped cream, and sprinkle with dark chocolate shavings.