SUGAR PLUMS

1 cup margarine
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
1-1/2 t vanilla
1/4 t almond extract
2 cups sifted flour
1/2 t salt
1 cup rolled oats
36 red and green candied cherries

Beat margaine until creamy.  Add sugar gradually beating until smooth.  Add vanilla and almond extract.  Sift flour and salt together and add to butter mixture.  Mix well.  Stir in oats and mix thoroughly.  (Dough will be quite stiff).  Shape into balls around cherries.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheets 30 minutes at 325.  While still warm, roll in sifted powdered sugar.  Makes 3 dozen.

I used jarred maraschino cherries instead of the candied ones.  It made a nice center in the cookies.  These are kind of like the mexican wedding cakes you make at Christmas, and I think I like those better.  These are okay, but I think I'll stick with the regular powdered sugar ball cookies that everyone usually likes the best.