Decadent Chocolate-Covered Maraschino Cherries
Indulge in the luxurious taste of these Decadent Chocolate-Covered Maraschino Cherries. Perfectly sweet maraschino cherries are enveloped in a luscious cherry-flavored candy coating and dipped in rich, silky chocolate. These irresistible treats are easy to make and are sure to become a tradition around holidays like Christmas and Valentine's Day. With each bite, enjoy the perfect balance of tart cherry, smooth candy coating, and decadent chocolate.
36
Servings
100
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
maraschino cherries
1 jar (drained well)
butter
3 tablespoons (melted)
evaporated milk
1/4 cup (none)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
powdered sugar
4 1/2 cups (sifted, may need more)
semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 ounces (none)
shortening
2 tablespoons (none)
Instructions
1
Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and place them on paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Set them aside once dry.
2
In a mixing bowl, add the sifted powdered sugar. In another bowl, combine the melted butter, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and salt.
3
Pour the wet mixture over the powdered sugar and stir until well combined. Use your hands to form a stiff, non-sticky dough, adding more powdered sugar if necessary.
4
Take a small amount of dough and flatten it to create a disc. Wrap the dough around each cherry, pinching off any excess.
5
Place the coated cherries onto cookie sheets lined with wax paper and refrigerate for about one hour.
6
In a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips and shortening over simmering water, stirring until smooth.
7
Dip each cherry in the melted chocolate, making sure to remove any excess chocolate by gently scraping the bottom on the edge of the bowl.
8
Return the chocolate-covered cherries to the wax paper and refrigerate until the chocolate has hardened.
Nutrition Information
16.6g
Carbs
0.25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many servings does this recipe for Decadent Chocolate-Covered Maraschino Cherries make?
This recipe makes 36 servings.
What are the primary ingredients needed for the cherry coating?
The coating consists of sifted powdered sugar, melted butter, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
How should the maraschino cherries be prepared before being wrapped in dough?
The cherries should be thoroughly drained and placed on paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
What type of chocolate is recommended for dipping these cherries?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Why is shortening added to the melted chocolate?
Shortening is added to the chocolate to help it melt smoothly and create a better dipping consistency.
How much powdered sugar is required for the dough?
The recipe requires 4 1/2 cups of sifted powdered sugar, though you may need more to achieve a non-sticky dough.
What should I do if the dough is too sticky to handle?
If the dough is too sticky, you should add more powdered sugar until it becomes a stiff, non-sticky dough.
How long do the dough-covered cherries need to refrigerate before being dipped in chocolate?
They should be refrigerated on wax paper-lined cookie sheets for about one hour.
What is the best way to melt the chocolate chips?
Use a double boiler over simmering water, stirring until the chocolate and shortening are smooth.
How do I remove excess chocolate after dipping the cherries?
Gently scrape the bottom of the cherry on the edge of the bowl to remove excess chocolate before placing it back on the wax paper.
What are the nutritional statistics for one serving of these treats?
Each serving contains approximately 100 calories, 16.6g of carbohydrates, and 0.25g of protein.
For which holidays are these chocolate-covered cherries particularly popular?
They are a traditional treat for Christmas and Valentine's Day.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as Candy.
How much butter is used in the dough?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of melted butter.
Is the powdered sugar used as-is or prepared?
The powdered sugar should be sifted before being added to the mixture.
How do I assemble the dough around the cherry?
Take a small amount of dough, flatten it into a disc, wrap it around the cherry, and pinch off any excess.
What amount of evaporated milk is needed?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of evaporated milk.
What is the final step in the recipe?
The final step is to return the chocolate-covered cherries to wax paper and refrigerate them until the chocolate has hardened.
What flavor extracts are used in this recipe?
One teaspoon of vanilla extract is used to flavor the candy coating.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 8 ingredients in total.
What tools are suggested for cooling the cherries?
Cookie sheets lined with wax paper are recommended for cooling and refrigerating the treats.
Is salt included in the recipe?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of salt is added to the wet mixture of the dough.
How much shortening is needed for the chocolate dip?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of shortening.
What is the target texture of the dough?
The dough should be stiff and non-sticky.
How should the wet ingredients be mixed?
Combine the melted butter, evaporated milk, vanilla, and salt in a separate bowl before pouring them over the powdered sugar.
Can I substitute the semi-sweet chocolate?
While the recipe calls for semi-sweet, the process remains the same if you prefer milk or dark chocolate chips.
Why must the cherries be dried before wrapping?
Drying them prevents excess moisture from breaking down the sugar dough and ensures a better seal.
What is the overall taste profile of these cherries?
They offer a balance of tart cherry, smooth sweet candy coating, and rich decadent chocolate.
Is there any fiber in this candy?
According to the provided nutrition data, there is 0g of fiber.
How should the finished cherries be stored?
They should be kept refrigerated to maintain the hardness of the chocolate and the integrity of the candy coating.