Description
Homemade chocolate covered cherries combine sweet maraschino cherries with rich chocolate coating. Candied fruit dipped in smooth chocolate creates a classic dessert perfect for special occasions or delightful treats you’ll savor with pure enjoyment.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (453 grams) maraschino cherries with stems (about 25 cherries, juice reserved)
- 16 ounces (453 grams) semi-sweet chocolate (or a mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate)
- 4 cups (390–520 grams) powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons (57 grams) salted butter, softened
Decorative Topping:
- Red candy melting wafers for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare maraschino cherries by thoroughly draining them, reserving cherry juice. Pat cherries completely dry using paper towels to ensure smooth coating during later stages.
- Create fondant mixture by blending powdered sugar, softened butter, and reserved cherry juice using a hand mixer until smooth and consistent.
- Gradually incorporate remaining powdered sugar to develop a soft, malleable dough. Aim for a texture that can be easily shaped without being too sticky or dry. Refrigerate mixture for 20 minutes to enhance firmness.
- Dust hands with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Form fondant into small, flattened discs large enough to encase each cherry. Carefully wrap fondant around individual cherries, ensuring complete coverage. Roll gently to create uniform spheres.
- Transfer fondant-wrapped cherries to a parchment-lined tray. Chill in refrigerator for 20 minutes to stabilize their structure before chocolate dipping.
- Melt chocolate in microwave-safe bowl using 30-second intervals. Stir thoroughly between each heating cycle to prevent scorching and achieve smooth consistency.
- Grasp each cherry by its stem and submerge completely in melted chocolate. Allow excess chocolate to drip back into bowl for even coating. Place dipped cherries on wax paper-lined baking sheet.
- Optional decorative step: Melt red candy wafers and delicately drizzle over chocolate-covered cherries to enhance visual appeal and mask minor coating imperfections.
- Allow chocolate to set naturally at room temperature. Once fully hardened, transfer chocolate covered cherries to an airtight container for storage.
Notes
- Carefully pat cherries completely dry to prevent liquid from ruining chocolate coating.
- Use room temperature butter for smoother, easier fondant mixing without lumps.
- Refrigerate wrapped cherries before dipping to help chocolate adhere more cleanly and evenly.
- Customize by experimenting with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white for varied flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg