Elegant Dipped Cherries

from Peggy Henrie

15-20 maraschino cherries with stems
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 square unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
2 tsp. half & half cream
2 cups powdered sugar
vanilla dipping chocolate or vanilla chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 1/2 tsp. shortening, divided

Pat cherries dry with paper towels and set them aside.  combine the butter, corn syrup, unsweetened chocolate and cream.  Stir in the powdered sugar.  Knead until smooth.  Roll into balls; flatten each.  Wrap around a cherry and lightly roll in hands.  Place cherries, stem side up, in a shallow, paper-lined container.  Cover and freeze for at least 2 hours.  In a microwave safe bowl, melt vanilla chips or vanilla dipping chocolate and 1 1/2 teaspoons shortening; stir until smooth.  Drizzle over the candies.  Refrigerate until firm.