These chocolate covered cherries are made with Maraschino cherries, covered in a creamy center and dipped in dark chocolate. The result is a beautiful and indulgent treat, perfect for Valentine's Day, or special occasion.
My Mom made these for us, at Christmas. She hasn't in years though, because only a few of us would eat them and we can't always make it at Christmas. I'm not sure where she got the recipe from. It's just one of those recipes she got from a friend of a friend. Though they seem time intensive, they are super impressive. The first few cherries are always the biggest, since you're getting the feel of how much cherry paste to put around the actual cherry.
Chocolate covered Cherries are one of my son's favourite treats. We always make a point to buy him a box for Christmas. So I knew he would enjoy these tremendously. With so much time on my hands, I had no reason to not take the time to make these.
This time I decided to make them using cocktail cherries. I did make them over 11 yrs ago, using stemless cherries, but they didn't turn out so nice, LOL. I really liked using the cocktail cherries; the stem helped out greatly when dipping them into the melted chocolate. Plus I think they look oh so cute!
With Ontario going into a second lock down until mid February, making these for your loved ones, for Valentine's Day would be such a treat! Imagine surprising that special person in your life, with a box of these for Valentine's day!!
Chocolate Covered Cherries
1-2 jars cocktail cherries (with stems)
1/2 C butter, softened
1 tsp almond extract
1 can sweetened condensed milk
6-7 C powdered sugar (enough to make a stiff dough)
5 drops red food coloring (if desired)
1-2 C semi sweet chocolate candy melts
1/2 C pink chocolate candy melts
Drain one jar of cherries, in a fine mesh strainer, until ready to use.
In a bowl, mix the butter, sweetened condensed milk, red food color and almond extract, until smooth. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until a non sticky dough forms. Cover one cherry with a thin layer of dough and place on a parchment liked baking tray. Repeat with remaining cherries, until dough is completely used up (using second jar of cherries, if needed). Place in freezer for at least 4 hrs, to over night.
Melt 1 C of the semi sweet chocolate candy melts in a glass measuring cup; in the microwave, stirring after every 30 seconds. Holding the stem of each cherry, dip into the melted chocolate. Using a small fork, support the bottom of the cherry, and gently shake off excess chocolate. Return to the parchment lined baking tray and repeat with remaining cherries; melting more chocolate melts as needed. Return chocolate coated cherries to the freezer to set.
While chocolate sets, melt pink candy melts and place into a zip top bag. Cut a very small hole in one end and drizzle the pink chocolate over set chocolate covered cherries. Return to freezer, to set the pink chocolate. Serve at room temperature.
PIN IT!!!
How creative. I love these chocolate covered cherries and they look so great.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThese look fantastic! You make this look so easy to do!
ReplyDeleteLOL sometimes it's easier than others
DeleteI love chocolate covered cherries, but have never made them! These are perfect for Valentine's Day or Christmas for sure!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great treat to try!
DeleteI. AM. LITERALLY. DROOLING. These are soooo amazing!! And, these will become a regular thing in my house.
ReplyDeleteThank you! My kids were pretty happy when I made them :)
DeleteWhat a decadent treat. I love how light it is too. Just the perfect palate cleanser after a nice filling meal.
ReplyDeleteYes it's a nice small sweet bite
Deletesuch a lovely treat! these are cute sweet treats to prepare and share.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone would turn one of these down.
DeleteOh my these treats look fantastic! I'm totally making these for the kids next month!
ReplyDeleteI hope you guys enjoy them!
DeleteThese are just like the Cherry Bombs that I used to adore as a kid. I can't wait to make them, they will be such a hit.
ReplyDeleteGlad to bring back childhood memories!
DeleteWhat a special treat for Valentine's Day! Chocolate and cherries are such a delicious combo.
ReplyDeleteYes, for some reason chocolate and cherries scream Valentine's day to me.
DeleteGreat recipe! Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGreat recipe! Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteWoah, these look good, I love cherries and I love chocolate! Win win!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteThis is the perfect combination - chocolate and cherries! Can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteIt is a super yummy flavour combination!
Deletelove chocolates and cherries!
ReplyDeleteThese remind me of being at my grandma's for any holiday, so nostalgic and they look delicious!
ReplyDeleteThe what FUN Valentines’s Day treat! My kids would love these too!
ReplyDeletesuch a fun recipe! can't wait to try!
ReplyDeleteThese look so decadent and pretty!! I’m sure my kids will love it.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of using the cherry stems for dipping. That made this recipe easier, plus it's convenient for serving them as well. They are so delicious!
ReplyDeleteWould you believe I have ALWAYS wanted to make these?! I think this might be the year if I can actually find the cherries with stems attached.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love these. What a great treat for a Valentine's Day party or dinner. Pinning for later.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! I was wondering why they were so big at first glance, but seeing that they're covered with a sweet 'dough' makes so much sense - and makes them so much more interesting!
ReplyDelete