Savor the exquisite pleasure of crafting your own Chocolate Covered Cherries with this delightful recipe. Tailored for special occasions or as a personal indulgence, these cherries are embraced by a velvety fondant and luxuriously coated in chocolate. Follow the simple steps below to create these irresistible delights:
Begin your culinary adventure by selecting fresh, ripe cherries, ensuring their succulence and natural sweetness. Gently pit the cherries to create a cavity, preparing them for the layers of fondant and chocolate that will elevate their flavor to new heights. In a mixing bowl, whip up the fondant mixture by combining powdered sugar, a touch of butter, and a hint of almond extract. This luscious blend forms the sweet and creamy filling that will enrobe each cherry, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.
Carefully fill each pitted cherry with the delectable fondant, ensuring a generous coating that envelops the fruit in a layer of sweetness. The fondant not only enhances the flavor but also provides a delightful contrast to the juicy burst of the cherries. Melt high-quality chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, creating a velvety bath for your cherries. Dip each fondant-filled cherry into the melted chocolate, ensuring a thorough coating that wraps the entire treat in a rich and indulgent cocoa embrace.
Place the chocolate-covered cherries on a parchment-lined tray to set, allowing the chocolate to firm up and achieve the perfect balance between a crisp shell and a soft, flavorful interior. As they cool, the chocolate will solidify, promising a satisfying snap with every delectable bite.
Ingredients:
– 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries (reserving 1/4 cup juice)
– 1/4 cup butter, softened
– 3 1/2 – 4 cups powdered sugar
– 16 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
– 2 teaspoons coconut oil or shortening
– 4 ounces white chocolate chips (optional)
– 4 ounces dark chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions:
1. **Prepare Cherries:**
– Lay the maraschino cherries out on paper towels. Dab them dry several times with paper towels and let them sit while you start the rest of the recipe.
2. **Prepare Fondant Mixture:**
– Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, combine the butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, and 1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice.
– Add the last cup of powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time until the mixture pulls away from the side and forms a soft ball.
– Refrigerate the fondant mixture for 30 minutes.
3. **Shape and Fill Cherries:**
– Roll the fondant mixture into little less than 1-inch balls and flatten with the palms of your hands.
– Place a cherry in the center, pulling up the fondant around the cherry. Roll it into a smooth ball and place it on a parchment-covered rimmed baking sheet.
– Continue until all the fondant is rolled up around the cherries, placing them about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
– Freeze the cherries for 30 minutes, uncovered.
4. **Dip in Chocolate:**
– Melt the semisweet chocolate and coconut oil for dipping the cherries according to the instructions on the package of chocolate.
– Using a fork, carefully dip each cherry in the chocolate, sliding them off the fork using a table knife onto a parchment-covered sheet.
– Let them sit until the chocolate sets.
5. **Optional Drizzle:**
– If desired, melt white chocolate and drizzle it over the cherries.
– For an extra touch, melt dark chocolate and drizzle it over the cherries too.
6. **Serve and Store:**
– These Chocolate Covered Cherries are now ready to be enjoyed! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 8 weeks.
Notes:
– Thoroughly dry the cherries so the fondant batter sticks to them.
– You can use stemmed or stemless maraschino cherries.
– Lightly dust your hands with powdered sugar when rolling the fondant around the cherries.
– Don’t skip the chilling periods, as fondant is easier to roll after being chilled, and the frozen balls are much easier to dip in melted chocolate.