Chocolate Dipped Cherries

1 jar (10 ounces) maraschino cherries with stems, well drained
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 square (1 ounce) unsweetened chocolate, melted
2 teaspoons half-and-half cream
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup vanilla or white chips
2-1/2 teaspoons shortening, divided
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Pat cherries dry with paper towels and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the butter, corn syrup, unsweetened chocolate and cream. Stir in the confectioners' sugar.

Knead until smooth. Roll into 18 balls; flatten each into a 2-in. circle. Wrap each circle 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.

The day before serving, remove the cherries from freezer. In a microwave, melt vanilla chips and 1-1/2 teaspoons shortening at 70% power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Holding onto the stem, dip each cherry into vanilla mixture; allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set.

In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and remaining shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over the candies. Refrigerate until firm. Store candies in an airtight container. Makes 1-1/2 dozen