Easy Chocolate Covered Cherries: 1 Delicious Recipe

I remember trying to make them myself for the first time when I was probably way too young to be melting chocolate. What a sticky mess! I think the chocolate seized, and the cherries ended up swimming in a grainy, sugary goo. But hey, we live and learn, right? Eventually, I figured it out, and now this chocolate covered cherries recipe is a total family favorite. It’s surprisingly easy, even though they look fancy.

Perfect for when you want to make something special without spending hours in the kitchen – which, let’s be honest, is most of the time for me! I mean, who has hours to spend when there are school plays, soccer games, and mountains of laundry calling your name? I’ve been making these for years, tweaking the recipe here and there until I landed on perfection. Whether you’re new to candy making or a seasoned pro, I promise you can make these amazing chocolate covered cherries. Come on, let’s get started!

Ingredients for Chocolate Covered Cherry Perfection

Here’s what you’ll need to create these little bites of heaven. Remember, quality ingredients make all the difference!

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• 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries with stems, drained and patted very dry – I always use the kind with stems because they look so much prettier, and they’re easier to dip. Trust me, you want those stems!
• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) unsalted butter, softened – I always use real butter for my chocolate covered cherries. The flavor is just so much richer.
• 3 cups powdered sugar – Don’t skimp on the sifting! Lumpy powdered sugar will give you lumpy fondant, and nobody wants that.
• 1/4 cup milk – I usually have 2% on hand, and it works perfectly fine, but whole milk will make the fondant even creamier.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract is the only way to go. It makes such a difference in the overall flavor of these chocolate covered cherries.
• 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips – I prefer semi-sweet because it balances the sweetness of the cherries and fondant, but dark chocolate would also be amazing!
• 1 tablespoon shortening – this is optional, but it helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives it a nice sheen.

Shopping Tips

When making chocolate covered cherries, you can find the maraschino cherries at any grocery store, usually in the baking aisle. Powdered sugar is also readily available, but I always check the expiration date to make sure it’s fresh. Chocolate chips are also found in the baking aisle. I like to stock up when they’re on sale!

Kitchen Wisdom

Here’s a chocolate covered cherries trick I learned from my mom: let the cherries sit on a paper towel-lined plate in the fridge overnight after you drain them. This gets rid of even more excess moisture, which is key to preventing your fondant from getting too runny.

Cost-Saving Tips

Buy chocolate chips in bulk when they’re on sale and store them in the freezer. They’ll last for months! Also, consider making your own vanilla extract – it’s surprisingly easy and much cheaper than buying it at the store.

Storage Tips

If you have leftover powdered sugar or chocolate chips, store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. The butter can be stored in the fridge, of course.

How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherries: Step-by-Step

Follow these simple steps and you’ll be enjoying homemade chocolate covered cherries in no time! Don’t be intimidated; it’s easier than you think.

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1. Prep the Cherries: First things first, gently pat those maraschino cherries completely dry with paper towels. This is SUPER important. Any excess moisture will mess with the consistency of your fondant and make it too runny. Then, pop them in the fridge while you make the fondant. I learned the hard way with chocolate covered cherries that moisture is the enemy!
2. Make the Fondant: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until it’s nice and smooth. This might take a few minutes, but be patient. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer – whatever you prefer. Now, gradually add the milk and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well combined. If the fondant seems too dry, add a tiny bit more milk, a teaspoon at a time. You want a dough-like consistency that you can easily mold around the cherries.
3. Wrap the Cherries: Now comes the fun part! Take a small amount of the fondant (about a tablespoon) and flatten it in your hand. Place a cherry in the center and gently wrap the fondant around it, making sure to completely encase the cherry. Pinch the seams to seal them tightly. Don’t worry if your chocolate covered cherries aren’t perfect – they’ll still taste amazing! Repeat with the remaining cherries and fondant.
4. Chill the Cherries: Place the wrapped cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and put them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. This helps the fondant firm up so they’re easier to dip in the chocolate. While the chocolate covered cherries are chilling, I usually tidy up the kitchen (or sneak a peek at social media – don’t tell!).
5. Melt the Chocolate: In a double boiler or a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and shortening (if using) until smooth. If you’re using the microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, to prevent the chocolate from burning. Your chocolate covered cherries should smell like heaven at this point!
6. Dip the Cherries: Take the chilled cherries out of the freezer. Using a dipping tool, fork, or even just your fingers, dip each cherry into the melted chocolate, making sure it’s completely coated. Let the excess chocolate drip off before placing the dipped cherry back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Let it Set: Once all the cherries are dipped, let them sit at room temperature until the chocolate is set. This usually takes about an hour. If you’re impatient (like me!), you can pop them back in the fridge for a little while to speed up the process. In my kitchen, chocolate covered cherries usually takes an hour to set at room temperature.
8. Enjoy!: And there you have it! Homemade chocolate covered cherries that are sure to impress.

Personal Tips and Sensory Experience

Here are a few extra pointers to ensure your chocolate-covered cherry adventure is a sweet success.

Personal Tips

I learned the hard way with chocolate covered cherries that chilling the wrapped cherries is crucial. It prevents the fondant from melting into the chocolate when you dip them. Also, make sure to use a toothpick to smooth over the hole left by the fork to get a smooth finish before the chocolate sets.

Sensory Cues

Your chocolate covered cherries should smell like rich, decadent chocolate and sweet cherries. The fondant should be smooth and creamy, and the chocolate should have a nice snap when you bite into it.

Family Tested

My kids love helping me wrap the cherries in fondant. It’s a fun activity we can do together, and they feel so proud of themselves when they get to eat the finished product.

Serving Suggestions

Discover delightful ways to serve and enjoy these homemade treats.

My family absolutely loves when I make these chocolate covered cherries! The kids love our chocolate covered cherries when I pack them in their lunchboxes as a special treat (although I try to limit it to just one or two!). My husband loves them after dinner with a cup of coffee.

These chocolate covered cherries are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or even just a special treat for yourself. They’re so festive and always a crowd-pleaser! They look absolutely beautiful arranged on a platter.

If you have extra chocolate covered cherries, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Although, let’s be honest, they never last that long in my house!

I love making these for Christmas – they just feel so festive and special. I also make them for Valentine’s Day, packaged in little boxes with ribbons. My friends always ask for this chocolate covered cherries recipe whenever I make them, so now I just print out a stack to have on hand!

As for pairings, I love serving these chocolate covered cherries with a rich chocolate dessert like these Chocolate S’mores Cupcakes Recipe or a Chocolate Caramel Dump Cake. The chocolate complements the cherries perfectly, and it’s the perfect way to end a meal.

Presentation Tip

Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate before it sets. The salt enhances the sweetness of the chocolate and cherries, creating a truly irresistible treat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Troubleshooting tips and answers to common questions about making chocolate covered cherries.

Q: My fondant is too runny. What did I do wrong?

A: Oh honey, we’ve all been there! Most likely, your cherries weren’t dry enough. Make sure you pat them really dry before wrapping them in fondant. You know what I do when my chocolate covered cherries fondant comes out too runny? I add a bit more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency. You could also try chilling the fondant for a bit before wrapping the cherries.

Q: My chocolate keeps seizing up when I melt it. What can I do?

A: Seizing chocolate is the bane of every baker’s existence! Make sure you’re using a clean, dry bowl and utensils. Even a tiny drop of water can cause chocolate to seize. Also, don’t overheat the chocolate. Melt it slowly and stir frequently. Adding a little shortening can also help prevent seizing. My biggest chocolate covered cherries mistake was not using a double boiler!

Q: Can I use a different kind of chocolate?

A: Absolutely! I prefer semi-sweet, but dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate would all be delicious. Get creative and use whatever you like! My blog readers mentioned using caramel filled chocolates too!

Q: Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

A: You can, but it’s a bit more complicated. Fresh cherries are much juicier than maraschino cherries, so you’ll need to pit them and soak them in sugar syrup for a while to draw out some of the moisture. It’s definitely doable, but maraschino cherries are much easier for this chocolate cherry recipe.

Q: How long do these last?

A: Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these chocolate covered cherries will last for up to a week. But honestly, they never last that long in my house!

Q: Can I freeze these?

A: I wouldn’t recommend freezing them. The fondant can get a little weird after thawing. It’s best to make them fresh and enjoy them within a week.

Q: My chocolate is too thick to dip easily. What should I do?

A: Add a tiny bit more shortening, a teaspoon at a time, until the chocolate reaches the desired consistency. You can also try warming the chocolate slightly in the microwave.

My Final Thoughts

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These chocolate covered cherries are more than just a recipe to me; they’re a little piece of my childhood, a connection to my family, and a reminder that even the simplest things can be incredibly special. This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my grandma and all the happy memories I have of spending time with her in the kitchen.

My Chocolate Covered Cherries Pro Tips:

• Always pat your cherries bone dry.
• Don’t overheat your chocolate.
• Chill the wrapped cherries before dipping them.

As for variations, I’ve tried adding a little peppermint extract to the fondant for a festive Christmas treat. I’ve also dipped them in white chocolate and drizzled them with dark chocolate for a pretty presentation. And my son, bless his heart, insists on adding sprinkles to everything!

My husband prefers the classic semi-sweet chocolate version, while my daughter loves the white chocolate ones. Me? I love them all!

I hope you’ll try this chocolate covered cherries recipe and make it your own. Add your own special touch, experiment with different flavors, and most importantly, have fun! I truly hope that these chocolate covered cherries bring as much joy to your family as they have to mine. Now get out there and make some magic! You got this!