Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamt of the perfect sweet treat that’s both elegant and a little bit indulgent, my Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe is the answer you’ve been waiting for. I absolutely love how this recipe captures that magical combination of juicy cherries wrapped in silky fondant, then dipped in rich chocolate—it’s a fan-freaking-tastic dessert that’s quite stunning but surprisingly easy to make at home!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe comes together with simple ingredients that you can easily find at the store. Each one works together to build layers of flavor and texture—from juicy cherries to smooth fondant, all enveloped in luscious chocolate.

• Maraschino cherries: The classic base, sweet and shiny; dry them really well for fondant wrapping to stick.
• Powdered sugar: Creates the sweet, smooth texture in the fondant dough—be sure it’s fresh to avoid clumps.
• Butter: Adds richness and acts as a binder for your fondant dough.
• Corn syrup: Helps make the fondant pliable and gives it that perfect soft consistency.
• Dipping chocolate: Use a mix of dipping chocolate and semi-sweet chips for that ideal melt and shine.
• Shortening or coconut oil: Keeps the melted chocolate silky smooth and easier to work with when dipping.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on your tastes or what you have on hand. Feel free to make it your own—you’ll find that slight changes can take this recipe from classic to uniquely yours.

• Alcohol-soaked cherries: I tried soaking the cherries in brandy once, and my family went crazy for the subtle boozy syrup inside—it’s a great grown-up version.
• Stem on or off: Leaving stems on makes dipping easier, but removing them and using toothpicks gives a cleaner look and better seal.
• Dairy-free option: Swap butter for vegan margarine and use coconut oil to keep everything smooth if you’re avoiding dairy.
• Chocolate type: Dark chocolate lovers, go ahead and use bittersweet for a more intense flavor, or milk chocolate for a sweeter touch.

How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Cherries

Start by deciding if you want to keep the cherry stems on or remove them. I usually remove them because it makes the dipping process a bit tidier, but either way works. Just be sure to dry your cherries thoroughly with paper towels—wet cherries won’t let the fondant stick properly, and that can get messy fast!

Step 2: Make the Fondant Dough

Mix your butter and corn syrup together with your hands until it’s smooth—this step is way easier by hand than a mixer, trust me! Then sift in your powdered sugar and knead everything together until you have a soft dough that feels like Play-Doh. Chill the fondant for about 15 minutes so it firms up just enough to handle without sticking.

Step 3: Wrap Each Cherry

Grab about 1½ teaspoons of fondant dough per cherry. Roll it into a log and flatten it into a small oval shape. Pop a cherry right in the center, then wrap the dough around it. Pinch the edges and roll the ball gently in your palm until it’s nice and smooth—make sure your fondant layer is consistent in thickness to avoid leaks later. Line these on parchment paper and chill for about 30 minutes, but no longer than 2 hours or your fondant might soften too much.

Step 4: Melt the Chocolate

Using a double boiler or a fondue pot on low heat, melt your dipping chocolate, semi-sweet chips, and shortening or coconut oil together. Stir almost constantly so the chocolate melts evenly and stays shiny. Be super mindful that no water gets in—one drop can seize your chocolate and ruin the whole batch.

Step 5: Dip the Cherries

This is the fun part! Take one fondant-wrapped cherry at a time and drop it into the melted chocolate. Use a toothpick to fish it out gently, tapping off the excess chocolate so it doesn’t pool. Set it down on parchment paper, then quickly cover the toothpick hole with more chocolate using a clean toothpick—this little detail helped me avoid leaks and keep my cherries looking flawless.

Once all cherries are dipped and firm, give each one a quick second dip along the bottom to thicken the chocolate layer there—this extra coating supports the fondant as it slowly turns to syrup inside over time. Place the cherries back on the parchment or in little candy cups and let them set until completely firm.

How to Serve Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe

Garnishes

I like to dust the finished chocolate covered cherries lightly with a sprinkle of edible gold dust or some finely chopped toasted nuts for a little crunch and extra glam—especially for special occasions. A few rolled in shredded coconut also looks charming and adds a surprise texture.

Side Dishes

Chocolate covered cherries pair beautifully with a simple cheese platter, fresh berries, or even alongside a rich cup of espresso or dessert wine. I sometimes serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent touch that guests rave about.

Creative Ways to Present

When gifting, I love to arrange these cherries in pretty paper candy cups inside decorative boxes tied with satin ribbons—it’s a total showstopper. For parties, placing them on tiered dessert stands with small flowers or fresh mint sprigs makes the presentation truly special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chocolate covered cherries in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot—not the fridge—to keep the chocolate from sweating or cracking. They easily last over a month, so I make them ahead for holiday gifts or gatherings and still have plenty left to enjoy.

Freezing

Freezing chocolate covered cherries is tricky because the fondant melts into syrup that can expand and pop the chocolate shell when thawing. I tried it once, and the texture wasn’t as good, so I recommend skipping the freezer and sticking to cool storage instead.

Reheating

Since these are best eaten as is, there’s no reheating needed. But if your kitchen is too cold and the chocolate dulls, simply leave them at room temperature a bit before serving to bring back that glossy shine and perfect bite.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I still remember the first time I made this Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe—the way the glossy chocolate sealed a sweet syrup-y center, it felt like magic in every bite. Making these at home is such a rewarding experience because you’re crafting a treat that looks store-bought but is packed with love and homemade care. Whether you’re gifting them or enjoying them with family, these cherries are always a crowd-pleaser. So roll up your sleeves and give it a go—you’ll be so glad you did!

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