Coconut Cherry Drops

1 ¼ cup flour

½ tsp banking powder

½ tsp salt

¼ cup butter

¼ shortening

½ cup sugar

1 egg

½ tsp almond extract

2 tbsp maraschino cherries

1 cup coconut

½ cup chopped pecans

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.  Cream together the butter, shortening and sugar.  Add in the egg and almond extract, and then mix in sifted dry ingredients.  Add maraschino cherries and pecans.  Drop level tablespoon full onto greased baking sheets.  Top each cookie with a half cherry. 

Bake at 375 for 10 to 12 minutes.  Makes about 2 ½ dozen cookies.