Decadent Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe Easy Homemade Christmas Treats
A rich and festive treat combining tart cherries with a smooth, glossy dark chocolate coating, perfect for holiday gifting or parties. This easy recipe delivers a crowd-pleasing dessert with a professional finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 24 firm, ripe cherries with stems (Bing or Rainier recommended)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) dark chocolate chips or bars (60% cacao preferred)
- 4 ounces (115 grams) white chocolate (optional, for drizzling)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) maraschino cherry juice or kirsch (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (8 grams) powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Rinse 24 fresh cherries thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Ensure cherries are completely dry and leave stems on.
- Melt 12 ounces of dark chocolate with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream in a double boiler or heatproof bowl over simmering water. Stir until smooth and glossy.
- Remove from heat and mix in 1 tablespoon of softened butter for extra shine.
- Optionally stir in 1 teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice or kirsch for extra cherry flavor.
- Using a fork or dipping tool, hold each cherry by the stem and dip into the melted chocolate. Swirl to coat fully and let excess drip off.
- Place coated cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat until all cherries are coated.
- Chill the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes until chocolate is firm and shiny.
- Optionally melt 4 ounces of white chocolate gently and drizzle thin lines over chilled cherries using a toothpick or fork.
- Return cherries to the fridge for another 10 minutes to set the drizzle.
- Bring cherries to room temperature before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
Ensure cherries are completely dry before dipping to prevent chocolate from seizing. Chill dipped cherries slowly to avoid cracks. Use parchment paper to prevent sticking. For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream and butter with coconut cream and coconut oil. Avoid overcrowding cherries on the baking sheet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chocolate covered
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 10
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: chocolate covered cherries, Christmas treats, holiday dessert, easy chocolate recipe, festive sweets, homemade gifts