Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe delivers a luxurious candy-shop treat made right at home. The combination of sweet cherries, creamy center, and chocolate shell creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors. They’re impressive to serve, great for gifting, and surprisingly satisfying to make.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
Maraschino cherries with stems
-
Powdered sugar
-
Unsalted butter
-
Heavy cream
-
Vanilla extract
-
Salt
-
Semi-sweet or dark chocolate
Directions
-
Drain the cherries well and pat them completely dry with paper towels.
-
In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, butter, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt until a thick, smooth dough forms.
-
Chill the mixture briefly if it feels too soft to handle.
-
Wrap a small amount of the sugar mixture around each cherry, sealing it completely.
-
Place the coated cherries on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
-
Melt the chocolate gently using a double boiler or microwave.
-
Dip each chilled cherry into the melted chocolate, coating fully.
-
Place dipped cherries back onto parchment paper.
-
Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
-
Let the candies rest for several hours so the filling softens into a liquid center.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 24 chocolate covered cherries.
Preparation time is approximately 30 minutes.
Chilling and setting time is about 2 hours.
Total time is roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Variations
You can use milk or white chocolate instead of dark chocolate. Add a splash of cherry liqueur or almond extract to the filling for deeper flavor. For a firmer center, reduce the cream slightly.
Storage/Reheating
Store chocolate covered cherries in an airtight container in a cool place or refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Bring them to room temperature before serving. Reheating is not recommended.
FAQs
Why does the center turn liquid?
The sugar mixture slowly dissolves around the cherry, creating the signature liquid center.
Can I use fresh cherries?
Fresh cherries can be used, but they must be pitted and very dry.
How long do they need to sit before eating?
They are best after resting for at least 24 hours to develop the liquid center.
What chocolate works best?
Semi-sweet or dark chocolate provides the best balance of sweetness.
Can I skip the butter?
Butter helps create a smooth filling texture and is recommended.
Do I need cherry stems?
No, but stems make dipping easier and improve presentation.
Why is my chocolate dull?
Rapid cooling can cause dull chocolate; letting it set slowly helps.
Can I freeze chocolate covered cherries?
Freezing is not recommended, as it affects texture.
Are these suitable for gifting?
Yes, they make excellent homemade gifts when packaged properly.
How do I prevent leaks?
Make sure the cherry is fully sealed in the sugar mixture before dipping.
Conclusion
Chocolate Covered Cherries are a timeless treat that combines elegance with indulgence. With a little patience, you can create a beautiful, decadent confection that’s perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying as a special homemade dessert.
PrintChocolate Covered Cherries
Chocolate Covered Cherries are a classic confection made with juicy cherries wrapped in a smooth fondant-style filling and coated in rich chocolate. Elegant and indulgent, they’re especially popular during holidays and special occasions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 candies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 24 maraschino cherries with stems, well drained
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 8 oz (225 g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Drain the cherries thoroughly and pat them completely dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt until a thick, smooth dough forms.
- If the mixture is too soft, chill it briefly until easier to handle.
- Wrap a small amount of the sugar mixture around each cherry, sealing it completely.
- Place the coated cherries on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate gently using a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each chilled cherry into the melted chocolate, coating it fully.
- Place dipped cherries back onto parchment paper.
- Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- Let the candies rest for several hours or overnight so the filling softens into a liquid center.
Notes
- Ensure cherries are fully sealed to prevent leaks.
- Letting the candies rest overnight gives the best liquid center.
- Semi-sweet or dark chocolate balances the sweetness best.
- Bring to room temperature before serving for ideal texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy
- Calories: 95 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 12 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
