My sweet tooth and I just love this time of year. One of our family’s favorite treats is homemade chocolate-covered cherries. Like the jolly old elf himself, they show up just once a year – making them extra sweet and special. Here’s a tip…they are tasty the day they are dipped, but the longer they chill the better they become. The recipe officially suggests up to two weeks of chill time. They never make it that long in our house, but they would probably be amazing by that time. Let me know, will ya?
Chocolate-Covered Cherries
Yield: 3 dozen
Ingredients
2-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 jars (8 ounces each) maraschino cherries with stems, well drained
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the sugar, butter, milk and extract. Knead until smooth and pliable. Shape into 1-in. balls and flatten each into a 2-in. circle.
Wrap one circle around each cherry and lightly roll in hands. Place with stems up on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Holding on to the stems, dip cherries into chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper until set. Store in a covered container. Refrigerate one to two weeks before serving.
Originally published as Chocolate Covered Cherries in Country Woman November/December 1995.
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