Chocolate-Covered Cherries

When I was a little girl, my sister, my brother and I would sneak down the staircase early on Christmas morning to peek eagerly inside our holiday stockings. We were rewarded with the sight of the sweets we’d be gorging on later that morning. Almost always, each of our stockings held a box of chocolate-covered cherries.

Our fun chocolate-covered cherries recipe re-creates the childhood favorite. Each cherry is enrobed in a gooey almond wrap and then dipped in a coating of semi-sweet chocolate. This chocolate-covered cherry recipe creates three dozen candies, so there will be plenty to eat plus extras to give away as homemade food gifts or to put in Christmas stockings.

Are chocolate-covered cherries the same as cordial cherries?

This chocolate-covered cherries recipe produces a candy that’s slightly different from cordial cherries. Cordial cherries are a particular type of candy with a liquid center that’s created by a chemical process called inversion, where sugar dissolves over time as the candy sits. Cordial cherries sometimes include alcohol too. Our recipe for cherry chocolates creates treats with more solid candy centers.

Ingredients for Chocolate-Covered Cherries

• Maraschino cherries: This style of cherry ranges from the bright red fruit that kids put on ice cream sundae recipes and splits to the luxurious Italian Luxardo cherries that fancy mixologists use in drinks. If you can find them, use the latter. The extra cost is worth it for the exceptional flavor and the fact that they’re usually free of preservatives.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Use your favorite brand, or check out our selection of the best chocolate chips. These will be melted to make the coating for your candied cherries.
• Confectioners’ sugar: When combined with butter and milk, confectioners’ sugar turns into a “dough” that can be kneaded and molded. Here the combo creates the delicious wrapper that surrounds the fruit in the center of our chocolate-covered cherry candies.
• Butter: A hint of salinity helps balance the sweetness in dessert recipes, so don’t hesitate to use salted butter if that’s what you have. If you don’t have salted butter, you could always add a tiny pinch of sea salt to the mix.
• Milk: The candy center of this chocolate with cherry recipe requires a liquid, and milk is the classic choice. You may be able to substitute a nondairy milk, such as coconut or almond, although the candies could have a different texture.
• Almond extract: Almonds and cherries are botanically related and share common flavor notes, so they mesh beautifully in recipes. Some maraschino cherries even include almond flavoring. If you don’t have or don’t want to use almond extract, use homemade vanilla extract instead.
• Shortening: Stirring a little shortening into the melted chocolate helps make a beautiful, glossy candy shell.

Directions

Step 1: Make the candy wrap

TASTE OF HOME

In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, butter, milk and almond extract. Knead until smooth and pliable.

TASTE OF HOME

Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls, and flatten each ball into a 2-inch circle.

Step 2: Wrap the cherries

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Wrap one circle around each cherry and lightly roll it between the palms of your hands to smooth the outside. Place the wrapped cherries with stem side up on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and refrigerate for four hours or overnight.

Step 3: Dip in chocolate

TASTE OF HOME

In a microwave, melt the chocolate and shortening, and stir until smooth.

Editor’s Tip: If you don’t have a microwave, you can make the chocolate coating in a double boiler. In a medium saucepan, bring an inch or so of water to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Place the chocolate and shortening into a heat-safe mixing bowl, and pop the bowl over the water. It shouldn’t touch the water but should sit above its surface. Heat the mixture, stirring, until the chocolate and shortening are melted.

TASTE OF HOME

Gently holding on to the stems, dip the cherries into the chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper until set.

Ellie Crowley for Taste of home

Chocolate-Covered Cherries Variations

• Get decorative: Enhance your recipe for cherry chocolates by decorating the outsides before the chocolate sets. Try dotting the cherries with colorful nonpareils or other favorite sprinkles. Roll them in crushed nuts, shredded coconut or mini chocolate chips. Or, drizzle strands of melted white or dark chocolate over the tops.
• Use marzipan: For an even deeper almond flavor, use store-bought or homemade marzipan—a delicious almond paste—in place of the original cherry wrap.
• Make it boozy: If you like the idea of boozy candies, drain the cherries and soak them in your favorite liquor or liqueur overnight. Use some of the soaking liquid in place of the milk when you mix up the candy wrap, and save the rest for cocktails.

How to Store Chocolate-Covered Cherries

Store chocolate-covered cherries in a covered container in the refrigerator. If you need to layer the candies, place a piece of waxed paper or parchment between the layers. These candies are best if they’re refrigerated for one to two weeks before serving.

How long do chocolate-covered cherries last?

Stored in the refrigerator, these chocolate with cherry candies will last up to a month.

Chocolate-Covered Cherries Tips

Ellie Crowley for Taste of home

Can you use different kinds of cherries?

You can make this recipe for cherry chocolates with fresh fruit instead of maraschino cherries. Use any type of cherry. However, fresh cherries won’t last as long, so ignore the instruction to let the candies sit in the fridge. Plan on consuming the candies within four days. You can also use other jarred cherries that are not labeled “maraschino,” such as Amarena cherries.

What can I do if the almond candy wrap sticks to my hands?

If the balls of candy wrap stick to your hands as you roll them, wash your hands and oil them lightly before continuing to work with the candy wrap. Or, if you have food-safe gloves, wear them as you work.

What’s the best way to serve chocolate-covered cherries?

Chocolate-covered cherry candies are perfect eaten solo. However, you could combine them with other homemade chocolates and candies to create a party platter or gift bag. They’d also make a fun topping for an ice cream dessert, or they could be used to decorate a German black forest cake.