Chocolate Dipped, Stuffed Cherries

1 1/2 pounds fresh dark sweet cherries with stems

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

2 Tbsp ground hazelnuts; I used marzipan (almond paste) and it turned out great

2 Tbsp maple syrup

2 cups vanilla or white chips

2 cups chocolate chips

10 tsp shortening, divided

Pit cherries through the sides, leaving the stems intact.  Ina  small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Stir in nuts and syrup.  Pipe into cherries.

In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt vanilla chips and 5 tsp shortening at 70% power (or in 15 second increments.)  Stir until smooth.  In another bowl, melt the chocolate chips with 5 tsp shortening; stir until smooth. 

Holding stems, dip half of the stuffed cherries into the vanilla dip; allow excess to drip off.  Place on waxed paper let stand until set.  Repeat with the other half of the cherries in the chocolate dip.  Reheat dips if necessary, and drizzle the white dip over the chocolate cherries and vise versa.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Yield: 5 dozen cherries