Preheat the
oven to 325°F/170°C/gas 3. Butter three cookie
sheets. Sift the flour, cocoa, and salt into a
medium bowl.
Beat the butter, sugar, and
vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer
at high speed until creamy.
Mix in the dry
ingredients, coffee granules, pecans, and
cherries until well blended.
Form the dough
into balls the size of walnuts and place 1 inch
(2.5 cm) apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake, one sheet at a time, for 15-18 minutes, or
until firm to the touch. Transfer to racks and
let cool completely. Dust with the
confectioners' sugar.