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Chocolate Covered Cherry Delights Recipe

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  • Author: Hannah
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes (chilling and chocolate melting/dipping time combined)
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 40 pieces 1x
  • Category: Candy
  • Method: Dipping
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delightfully rich and luscious Chocolate Covered Cherries featuring maraschino cherries encased in a smooth fondant center, all enveloped in a glossy, decadent chocolate coating. Perfect for gifting or special occasions, these homemade cordials balance sweet fruitiness with creamy chocolate and a syrupy center made by allowing the fondant to liquefy over time.

Ingredients

Scale

Cherries

  • 40–60 maraschino cherries

Fondant

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons corn syrup

Chocolate Coating

  • 1 pound dipping chocolate
  • 1 pound semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon shortening or coconut oil

Optional Soak for Cherry Cordials

  • Brandy or rum, for soaking cherries up to 24 hours

Instructions

  1. Prep the Cherries: Decide whether to leave the stems on or remove them according to your preference. Thoroughly dry the cherries on paper towels before wrapping with fondant. For a more boozy flavor, soak the drained cherries in brandy or rum up to 24 hours, then dry thoroughly before wrapping.
  2. Mix the Fondant: In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup using your hands until smooth. Sift powdered sugar into the mixture and knead until a soft dough forms, similar in texture to fresh Play-Doh. Chill the fondant in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.
  3. Cover the Cherries: Take about 1½ teaspoons of fondant dough, roll it into a small log about the thickness of an index finger, then flatten it. Place a cherry in the center and roll the fondant around the cherry, pinching the ends together. Roll it in your palm to smooth and shape a ball with an even thickness of fondant. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill for about 30 minutes until firm, but no longer than 2 hours to prevent fondant breakdown.
  4. Melt the Chocolate: While cherries chill, melt the dipping chocolate and semi-sweet chips with shortening or coconut oil in a medium double boiler over low heat or in a fondue pot, stirring almost constantly until smooth and glossy.
  5. Dip the Cherries: One at a time, dip each fondant-covered cherry into the melted chocolate. Use a toothpick to lift it, tapping gently to remove excess chocolate. Use a second toothpick to release the cherry onto parchment and immediately cover the toothpick hole with melted chocolate to seal. Let the dipped cherries rest until chocolate firms.
  6. Build the Bottom Layer: After the chocolate hardens, hold each cherry gently and dip only the bottom into the chocolate again to strengthen the chocolate base and contain the liquefying fondant center. Place the cherries back on parchment or into paper candy cups.

Notes

  • Make chocolate covered cherries at least two weeks in advance; the fondant will liquefy into a smooth syrup inside the chocolate over time, enhancing flavor and texture.
  • Removing stems and using toothpick dipping creates a cleaner look and better chocolate seal than dipping with stems intact.
  • Avoid any moisture contact when melting chocolate to prevent seizing; do not let even a drop of water mix into the chocolate.
  • If using only semi-sweet chocolate chips, add 1 tablespoon of oil or coconut oil per cup to prevent sticky chocolate.
  • You will have leftover chocolate after dipping the cherries; store or use for other treats.
  • Store finished cherries in a cool, dry place at room temperature in an airtight container; they last at least one month.
  • Do not freeze chocolate covered cherries as moisture expansion will cause cracks in the chocolate coating.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 15mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Find it online: https://cookesrecipes.com/chocolate-covered-cherry-delights-recipe/