Cherry Pie Pops

Directions

1. 1
   BLEND flour, sugar and salt in medium bowl. Cut shortening into flour mixture using pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 2
   SPRINKLE 3 tablespoons ice water over flour mixture. Stir with fork. Add additional ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, just until dough holds together firmly when pressed into a ball. Flatten ball into round disk. Wrap dough in plastic wrap. Chill 30 minutes.
3. 3
   HEAT oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll dough on lightly floured surface into 12-inch circle. Cut dough into 24 (2 1/2-inch) circles using a round cookie cutter, rerolling dough scraps as necessary. Arrange 12 dough circles on prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart. Place a 2-inch tip of lollipop stick on top of each circle, resting other end of stick on parchment paper. Place 24 cherries from pie filling in small bowl. Stir in almond extract. Spoon 2 cherries onto center of each dough circle. Brush edges with milk. Top with 12 remaining dough circles. Press edges with fork to seal. Brush with milk. Sprinkle with decorator sugar. Pierce tops with fork.
4. 4
   BAKE 11 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on baking sheet before lifting.