Cherry Garcia Cookies

* 1 cup granulated sugar

* 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups butter, softened at room temperature)

* 1 egg

* 1 teaspoon almond extract

* 3 cups flour

* 1/4 teaspoon salt

* 1 teaspoon baking soda

* 1 (12 oz. bag Nestle semi-sweet chocolate chips)

* 1 (10 oz. jar Maraschino cherries (drained and chopped into pieces))