Anything covered in chocolate is divine, and chocolate cherries were my Dad’s favorite candy.
Enjoy my recipe for gourmet chocolate covered cherries in honor of National Chocolate Day, National Candy Day, or Valentines Day (hey you pick, I don’t need an excuse for chocolate)
Even people who don’t normally like chocolate covered cherries LOVE mine. You can leave the stems on, or buy stemless maraschino cherries. You can leave the stems on, or buy stemless maraschino cherries.
I normally make candies at Christmas, but homemade gourmet chocolate covered cherries are perfect for any special occasion.
You don’t rush making these chocolate candies, the process of rolling the cherries and dipping takes time.
So enjoy, I don’t think mine will make it to Valentines Day
The Best Recipe for Gourmet Chocolate Covered Cherries
Ok, this is not my “own” recipe, but one I found on AllRecipes. But I have a few secrets in making the process faster and easier.
The first is buying quality ingredients, which means no skimping on chocolate and using “real” butter and sugar.
The first is buying quality ingredients, that means no skimping on chocolate and using “real” butter and sugar.
- 30 Royal Harvest maraschino cherries
(one jar)
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
- 1 pound chocolate confectioners’ coating (I use Ghiradelli melting wafers
)
Ok, this is not my “own” recipe, but one I found on AllRecipes. But I have a few secrets in making the process faster and easier.
Secret Instructions on Making Chocolate Covered Cherries
Ok, there isn’t a secret to making chocolate covered cherries, just a few tips. First, gather your supplies. You will want to use really good chocolate.
If you’re going to go to all the effort why use plain almond bark. So get yourself some Ghiradelli Melting wafers,
The best chocolate melting method is double boiler
!
Why, because perfect melting chocolate needs to melt slowly, not under high heat in a microwave. If chocolate gets too hot it then congeals and gets lumpy. You don’t want lumpy chocolate. Put about an inch of water in the bottom pan and set your burner to medium. The water should not boil.
Then when you are ready to wrap and package to it to impress with red candy foils and cute little candy boxes.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Melting Wafers (for Candy Making
Nordic Ware Universal 8 Cup Double Boiler
How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Drain cherries and set on paper towels to dry. (liquid will also lump chocolate
- In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth.
- Stir in confectioners’ sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary.
- Next, pinch off a teaspoon bit of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten in your palm
- Wrap each cherry in about 1 teaspoon of dough. Gather the excess sugar dough on the ends and pinch off. You want the thinnest layer of sugar paste around the cherry without any juice seeping through
- Place on waxed paper or parchment paper
and place in the freezer to chill for one hour or until firm.
- Melt confectioners’ coating in a heavy saucepan over med heat. (see above)
- Dip each cherry and place on waxed paper lined sheets.
- Chill until completely set (trying not to eat them in the process)
- Wrap in candy foil wrappers
- Lastly, store in an airtight container in a cool place.
- Best after 1 or 2 weeks when the sugar paste melts and merges with the cherry juice. (yeah, if they last that long!)
Don’t have the patience, or time, or ambition to try them yourself, then you can buy gourmet chocolate covered cherries and no one will complain. They make a great gift for Valentines Day, or just as an indulgent candy treat.
Where to Buy Gourmet Chocolate Covered Cherries
Maraschino Cherries – Belgian Chocolate Covered Cherries – 24 pieceShari’s Berries – 20 Hand-Dipped Classic Cherries – 20 Count – Gourmet Baked Good GiftsDouble Dipped Chocolate Cherries 1/2 Lb Box Mix- Milk & Dark ChocolateShari’s Berries – 4 Caramel Pretzels and 20 Hand-Dipped Cherries – 24 Count – Gourmet Baked Good Gifts
Enjoy! If you make these I’d love to hear how your own homemade chocolate covered cherries came out and if they were as good as you expected.
If you like this then you’ll LOVE my homemade chocolate covered strawberries recipe! It’s even easier.
