Surprise Cherry Bundles

2 cups pitted, halved Northwest fresh sweet cherries
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
24 sheets phyllo dough
2 tablespoons butter, melted
6 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
1 tablespoon milk
3 Northwest fresh sweet cherries halved

Yield:

Combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, lemon peel, and cinnamon; mix well. Cut sheets of phyllo dough into 8-inch square pieces. (Save remaining pieces of phyllo for another use.) Keep phyllo covered with waxed paper and slightly damp dish towel. Working with 4 cut squares of phyllo at a time, brush each sheet with melted butter and stack with the corner of each on the straight edge of the previous square. Place 1 tablespoon cream cheese in the center of each stack of phyllo. Top with 1/3 cup cherry mixture. Brush outer edge of phyllo dough with milk. Gather edges and form a bundle. Squeeze phyllo toward center to close bundle. Place half a cherry in center of top. Place bundle on lightly oiled baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Bake at 375°F 20 minutes or until browned and crisp. Makes 6 servings.