Chocolate Covered Cherries is a classic candy confection that takes sweet maraschino cherries, covers them in sugar paste, and coats them in chocolate. When it’s so easy to make your own, why bother with store-bought?
Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe
Our old-fashioned chocolate covered cherries recipe is so easy and has super simple steps. These chocolate-dipped cherries have a sweet and slightly tangy taste in the center that pairs perfectly with the contrasting rich chocolatey outer coating. Plus, the juicy, slightly chewy texture of the maraschino cherry in the middle makes a pleasing mouthfeel experience as you bite through the sugar paste and hardened chocolate shell.
Why Coat The Cherries In The Sugar Paste?
This sweet powdered sugar dough not only provides a delicious coating for the cherries, but it also allows the chocolate to adhere to the cherries easily. Keep in mind that the longer the cherries sit, the sugar paste will turn into a sweet syrup, so you will end up with a liquid center rather than one that’s solid.
Are Chocolate Cherries The Same As Cherry Cordials?
Not to be confused with its alcohol-infused cousins, cherry cordials, these chocolate-covered cherry treats are not formed with a liquid fondant filling spiked with liquor. Instead, these non-alcoholic chocolate cherry candies are flavored with vanilla and almond extract, so they’re appropriate for all ages!
Ingredients Notes
- Maraschino cherries with stems: Make sure your cherries are drained and patted dry. I ended up with 34 cherries . You may only have 32-36 usable cherries per container, depending on the state of the stems. Using cherries with the stems intact makes dipping them into the chocolate much easier!
- Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, be sure to sift the sugar to make it light and airy.
- Salted butter: Make sure your butter has softened to room temperature.
- Light corn syrup: adds a sticky sweet texture to the candy mixture
- Pure vanilla extract
- Almond extract: Vanilla extract can be used, but it will affect the taste slightly.
- Chocolate almond bark: I prefer to cover my cherries in almond bark because it’s a bit softer than melted chocolate chips and makes it easier to bite into. Feel free to use white, semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate. You can also substitute candy melt wafers in any color for the chocolate almond bark.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Prepare The Sugar Paste: Stir together the powdered sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Knead the paste until it has the feel and pliability of play dough.
- Wrap And Roll: Scoop and roll the powdered sugar paste into balls. Flatten each ball into a circle, wrap it around a cherry, and roll until round.
- Melt: Heat the chocolate in the microwave for 1 minute on full power, stir, and continue to heat in 30 second increments until melted and smooth.
- Dip And Decorate: Dip each cherry in melted chocolate and drizzle with leftover chocolate.
- Set And Serve: Refrigerate the cherries for about an hour until the chocolate is set and firm. Serve and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
These chocolate-covered cherries are a delicious and decadent treat on their own. But if you wan’t to serve up something extra special, I’ve listed some of my favorite recipes and suggestions:
- Bake Brownie Bombs: Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownie Bombs are even more fun than the classic chocolate-covered cherry candy because they’re both a brownie and a truffle. A two-in-one sweet treat!
- Top Your Ice Cream Treats: These cherries are a tasty topping for many ice cream-inspired treats. Pile them on top of a Banana Split Ice Cream Sandwich Cake, Ice Cream Pie, or scoops of Cherry Garcia Ice Cream.
- Garnish Your Glass: Use chocolate covered cherries as a garnish for cocktails or mocktails. Drop one or two cherries into a glass of champagne, prosecco, or a cherry-inspired cocktail for a festive touch.
- Serve While Sipping: Enjoy alongside a cup of coffee, tea, or while sipping on some hot chocolate.
- Give As A Gift: Place your chocolate covered cherries in a decorative box or tin as a thoughtful homemade gift for friends, family, or coworkers. They make pretty presentations for holidays, birthdays, or special occasions.
Tips & Variations
- When Dipping The Desserts: Be sure to allow the excess chocolate to drip off, before placing the chocolate-coated cherry on the parchment paper lined baking sheet. You may need to reheat the chocolate in the microwave if the chocolate begins to harden.
- Don’t Discard The Drained Liquid: The liquid from the cherries can be added to your favorite cocktails or mocktails.
- Try Different Temperatures: I prefer the texture when they are cold. You may like them better at room temperature when the filling will be a bit softer. Try them both ways and decide for yourself!
- Add Alcohol: Feel free to turn these treats into cherry cordials (for adults only). Soak the maraschino cherries in amaretto or flavored vodka for a few of hours. Dry them well before following the rest of the recipe.
Proper Storage
- To Store: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If your kitchen is warmer, you can store the cherries in the refrigerator.
- Make Ahead: You can wrap the cherries in the powdered sugar paste the day before and store them in the refrigerator before coating them in the chocolate.
Frequently ASked Questions
No, these chocolate dipped cherries don’t do well when frozen. Because of the moisture in the fruit, the cherries will expand when they freeze, cracking the outer layers. They may still taste good, but you will run the risk of the creamy center oozing out once they thaw and the pretty presentation will be ruined.
No, this recipe does not create a liquid center. If you want your candy to have a liquid center, place them in a air tight container. After your cherries are set, store in a dry place and allow them to sit for 2-4 weeks. The longer they set, the more the inside will liquefy.
More Easy Homemade Candy Treats
- Chocolate Turtle Candy
- Chocolate Cashew Clusters
- Crockpot Candy
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Fudge
- Tanghulu (Candied Fruit on a Stick)
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Chocolate Covered Cherries
Ingredients
- 10 ounces (-or- 283g) container maraschino cherries with stems drained and patted dry (I ended up with 34 cherries. You may end up with 32-36 cherries per container due to some stems are not attached to the cherries, or the cherries are not fully intact with or without a stem)
- 2¼ cups powdered sugar sifted
- 4 tablespoons salted butter softened
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 12 ounces chocolate almond bark broken into smaller chunks
Instructions
- Add the sifted powdered sugar, softened butter, light corn syrup, vanilla extract and almond extract to a medium size (2-3 quarts) mixing bowl. You can use a large spoon to stir the powdered sugar and butter mixture together. This will start off very dry, but will meld together. OR, you can use your clean dry hands to stir the ingredients together. (I used my hands, it was just a lot easier)2¼ cups powdered sugar, 4 tablespoons salted butter, 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- Knead the powdered sugar mixture until it is pliable. (It should have the feel and pliability of play dough)
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a 2 teaspoon cookie scoop to scoop out the powdered sugar dough. Roll the powdered sugar dough into a ball. Use your hand to flatten the ball into a circle. Pick up the circle and carefully wrap the circle around the cherry. You will need to smooth out the powdered sugar dough covered cherry until it is round. Place on the parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining cherries.10 ounces (-or- 283g) container maraschino cherries with stems
- Add the chocolate almond bark to a medium size microwave safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute on full power. Stir very well and continue to heat in 30 second increments until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.12 ounces chocolate almond bark
- Holding the covered cherry by the stem, completely dunk the cherry in the melted chocolate. Be sure to allow the excess chocolate to drip off, before placing the chocolate coated cherry on the parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining cherries. (You may need to reheat the chocolate in the microwave if the chocolate begins to harden)
- Once all of the cherries have been dipped in chocolate, you can use the leftover chocolate to drizzle over the coated cherries. This is completely optional. Store any leftovers in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 5 days. (If your kitchen is on the warmer side, you can store the cherries in the refrigerator)
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 5 days. If your kitchen is on the warmer side, you can store the cherries in the refrigerator.
- Make Ahead: You can wrap the cherries in the powdered sugar paste the day before, and store them in the refrigerator before coating the cherries in the chocolate.
- When Dipping The Desserts: Be sure to allow the excess chocolate to drip off, before placing the chocolate coated cherry on the parchment paper lined baking sheet. You may need to reheat the chocolate in the microwave if the chocolate begins to harden.
- Don’t Discard The Drained Liquid: The liquid from the cherries can be added to your favorite cocktails or mocktails.
- Try Different Temperatures: I prefer the texture of homemade chocolate dipped cherries when they are cold. You may like them better at room temperature when the filling will be a bit softer. Try them both ways and decide for yourself!
- Add Alcohol: Feel free to turn these treats into cherry cordials (for adults only). Soak the maraschino cherries in amaretto or flavored vodka for a few of hours. Dry them well before following the rest of the recipe.
