Enjoy the irresistible combination of juicy cherries and decadent chocolate with this easy recipe for homemade chocolate-covered cherries. These classic candies feature plump, sweet cherries coated in a smooth, velvety chocolate coating.
Whether you’re looking for an elegant dessert or a sweet treat to enjoy on a cozy night in, these chocolate-covered cherries are sure to impress. There is something magical about biting into a chocolate shell and discovering the juicy, sweet cherry hidden inside.
The rich, slightly bitter notes of the dark chocolate perfectly balance the natural sweetness of the fruit, resulting in a truly addictive treat that you’ll want to savor slowly. These chocolate-covered cherries are a perfect homemade holiday gift that anyone would love to receive!
While making chocolate-covered cherries at home may seem difficult or time-consuming, it is actually easy. With just a few basic ingredients and some patience for chilling time, you can quickly create a batch of these impressive treats. Because you control the quality of the ingredients, you can feel good about indulging in a few (or a few dozen!) of these delightful candies.
In this post, I’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of creating your own batch of chocolate-covered cherries. Once you try these homemade delights, you’ll never return to the boxed variety again.
Looking for more homemade candies to make for the holidays? Try Christmas cream cheese mints, honeycomb candy, or polar bear claws.
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🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Fresh cherries are the star of the show! Choose firm, ripe cherries for the best flavor and texture. I like to leave the stems on for easier dipping, but you can remove them if you prefer.
- Confectioners Sugar
- Butter
- Milk
- Almond extract
- Chocolate chips: I use semisweet chocolate chips for the coating, but you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate if you prefer.
- Hershey Bar: I sometimes add a Hershey bar to the melted chocolate for an extra layer of flavor and creaminess. It’s optional, but try it if you’re feeling indulgent!
- Shortening: If your melted chocolate seems too thick for dipping, you can add a teaspoon of plain shortening to help thin it out.
🥣How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Wash and pit your cherries. I use a cherry pitter to make this process easier, but you can also use a small paring knife to remove the pits carefully. Pat the cherries dry with paper towels and set them aside.
- Mix the powdered sugar, butter, milk, and almond extract in a medium bowl until it forms a smooth, pliable dough.
- Pinch off a small amount of the dough (about the same size as a cherry) and roll it into a ball. Flatten the ball slightly with your thumb, creating a small indentation in the center.
- Place a pitted cherry in the center of the indentation and carefully mold the dough around it, covering it completely. Repeat with the remaining cherries and dough.
- Place the covered cherries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 10-15 minutes. This will help the filling set and make the dipping process easier.
- While the cherries are chilling, melt your chocolate chips (and Hershey’s bar) in a microwave-safe bowl. Start with 30 seconds on high, then stir and microwave in 20-second intervals until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted.
- Remove the cherries from the freezer and dip them one at a time into the melted chocolate, using a spoon to help coat them evenly. Tap off any excess chocolate and place the dipped cherries back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Allow the chocolate to harden completely at room temperature, or speed up the process by placing the cherries in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
🍴Serving Ideas
When it comes to serving chocolate-covered cherries, presentation is key. For a more elegant touch, arrange the cherries on a beautiful serving platter or in individual candy cups.
These treats can be served as a sweet ending to a meal or enjoyed as a standalone indulgence. I like to serve them at room temperature, allowing the chocolate to soften slightly and the cherry filling to become even more delicious.
💭How to Store
Before storing the cherries, make sure the chocolate coating is completely hardened. Then, place the cherries in an airtight container.
If you need to stack the cherries, place a layer of wax paper or parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together. They should keep well for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
These Chocolate-Covered Cherries are best enjoyed within a week of being made. Over time, the filling can start to dissolve the chocolate coating, making it a bit messier to eat.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Look for firm, ripe cherries with fresh green stems (if you’re keeping them on). Avoid cherries that are soft, mushy, or have brown spots, as they may not hold up well during the dipping process.
- After washing your cherries, make sure to pat them dry with paper towels. Any excess moisture on the surface of the cherries can cause the chocolate to seize up or not adhere properly.
- Placing the cherries in the freezer for a few minutes before dipping them in chocolate helps the filling set and makes the dipping process much easier. Just don’t leave them in there for too long!
- Overheating chocolate can cause it to seize up or become grainy. Melt it slowly in the microwave, stirring every 20-30 seconds, or use a double boiler on the stovetop for more control.
- If your melted chocolate seems too thick for dipping, try stirring in a teaspoon of plain vegetable shortening. This will help thin out the chocolate and make it easier to coat the cherries evenly.
- After dipping each cherry, hold it over the bowl of melted chocolate and let the excess drip off before placing it on the parchment paper. This will help prevent puddles of chocolate from forming around the base of the cherries.
📝Reader Questions
No! If you’re not a fan of almond extract, you can substitute it with vanilla extract or even cherry liqueur for a more adult flavor.
Yes, you can use any type of chocolate you like for the coating. White chocolate would be a delicious and visually striking option, especially if you make these cherries for a special occasion like a wedding or baby shower.
Yes, you can make these cherries a day or two before serving them. Store them in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy them, and let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before digging in.
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Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe
Ingredients
- Fresh cherries washed and pitted
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- 1 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 bag chocolate chips
- 1 Hershey's chocolate bar optional
- 1 teaspoon shortening optional
Instructions
- Remove pits from about 16-18 fresh cherries. Wash and set aside on paper towels to dry completely. You can leave the stems to help with dipping in chocolate.Fresh cherries
- Mix together powdered sugar, butter, milk, and almond extract until it forms a smooth round ball with the consistency of Play-Doh. If the dough is too sticky, add a few tablespoons of powdered sugar. If it is too dry, add a few drops of milk until it becomes pliable.2 cups powdered sugar, 3 Tablespoons butter, 1 Tablespoon milk, 1 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch off about an ounce of the dough (about the size of a cherry), roll it into a small ball, flatten it out, and press your thumb in the center.
- Put a cherry inside the thumbprint and mold the dough up and around the stem until the entire cherry is covered.
- Place cherries in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes while you melt the chocolate.
- Melt all the chocolate chips and Hershey bar in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds, then microwave in 20-second increments until they begin to melt. Stir it often so it doesn’t burn. If the chocolate is too thick, add 1 teaspoon of Crisco shortening to help it coat better.1 bag chocolate chips, 1 Hershey's chocolate bar, 1 teaspoon shortening
- Dip the cherries into the melted chocolate, using a spoon to roll them until completely covered chocolate.
- Place on wax or parchment paper to harden completely. To speed up the hardening process, place it in the refrigerator.
- Makes approximately 14-16 chocolate-covered cherries.
Notes
- Look for firm, ripe cherries with fresh green stems (if you’re keeping them on). Avoid cherries that are soft, mushy, or have brown spots, as they may not hold up well during the dipping process.
- After washing your cherries, make sure to pat them dry with paper towels. Any excess moisture on the surface of the cherries can cause the chocolate to seize up or not adhere properly.
- Placing the cherries in the freezer for a few minutes before dipping them in chocolate helps the filling set and makes the dipping process much easier.
- Overheating chocolate can cause it to seize up or become grainy. Melt it slowly in the microwave, stirring every 20-30 seconds, or use a double boiler on the stovetop for more control.
- If your melted chocolate seems too thick for dipping, try stirring in a teaspoon of plain vegetable shortening. This will help thin out the chocolate and make it easier to coat the cherries evenly.
- After dipping each cherry, hold it over the bowl of melted chocolate and let the excess drip off before placing it on the parchment paper. This will help prevent puddles of chocolate from forming around the base of the cherries.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
