Old Fashioned Chocolate Covered Cherries are a favorite of ours around Christmas. They make the sweetest gift for friends and family.
How Long Do Chocolate Covered Cherries Take to Set Up?
These Old Fashioned Chocolate Cherries are such a fun candy to make and give away at Christmastime. But it’s important to remember they take TWO WEEKS to set up completely. A little time intensive, but they are so worth the effort! True old fashioned chocolate cherries turn into a creamy smooth center once they’re set. So start prepping now; they are so delicious!
How Long Do Old Fashioned Chocolate Covered Cherries Last?
How Long Do Old Fashioned Chocolate Covered Cherries Last?Another tip from us to you is this: hide these candies in a place where your family can’t find them and snitch until they are completely ready. A nook in the garage, on the high shelf in the kitchen, wherever. Just don’t forget where they are! A couple of Christmases went by where we forgot to retrieve our yummy treats. But it’s okay because these goodies will stay good and fresh until Valentine’s Day.
More Cherry Recipes
If you love cherries, try a few of our favorite treats using this juicy fruit.
- Chocolate Cherry Cake – this is a tasty pudding based cake.
- Microwave Cherry Crunch – easy to make and cooks in the microwave for a fast dessert.
- Cherry Vanilla Cookies – like chocolate chip, but better!
- Mini Cherry Cheesecakes – easy little bite sized cheesecakes.
- Chocolate Cake with Cherry Topping – chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting and cherry topping.
- Alligator Jaws – one of my favorite cherry recipes! A triangle shaped doughnut with cherry cream filling.
- Cherry Limeade Cupcakes – a tart yummy cupcake great for any occasion.
12 Days of Christmas Treats
Check out our list of 12 Days of Christmas Treats. You’ll find all of our holiday favorites including:
- Mom’s Christmas Caramels
- Peanut Clusters
- Cinnamon Almonds
- German Chocolate Fudge
- Peppermint Bark Brownies
How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherries
Ingredients
- 36 Maraschino cherries with stems
- 3 tablespoons butter softened
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1 1/2 bags chocolate chips semi-sweet or milk chocolate
- 2 teaspoons oil
Instructions
- Drain cherries and set on paper towel to dry
- In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth. Stir in powdered sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary.
- Wrap each cherry in about 1 tsp of dough. Chill until firm.
- In a microwave-safe bowl melt chocolate chips with oil for about 20 seconds at a time (stirring each time) until chocolate is just melted and completely smooth.
- Dip each cherry in by its stem and place on wax paper-lined sheets. Place in an air-tight container (like a large tupperware) and store in a cool place for TWO WEEKS (yes, it is a long time-- but patience... I promise they taste best if you wait until the fondant softens)!
Marilyn says
We could no longer find the brand of cherries my husband likes so I tried these. He likes them even better! They are very easy to make. I added a drop of almond extract. I’m going to use less chocolate next time since I had quite a bit left over.
Carol Russ says
Marilyn, I have made these for years and they are indeed always a hit. As for having chocolate left over, and there always is more, I just throw in some chopped nuts (walnuts are especially good), using just enough for the amount of chocolate. No leftover chocolate, and the nut clusters don’t last long at all.
wilhelmina says
I had no idea I could make these at home! This recipe is really easy to follow and they turn out so delicious, fabulous for the holidays!
Lisalia says
Oh my gosh!! A childhood favorite. Thanks for this classic Christmas recipe. Can’t wait to share it with my family.
Sherry Noonan says
Do these need to be refrigerated after making? I was going to mail some to family and friends out of town.
Favorite Family Recipes says
I would be hesitant to send them in the mail. I would worry that the chocolate would melt, but I live in Arizona. They don’t need to be refrigerated, so if you live in a cold place and package them well, they should be fine!
Rachel says
I mailed some from Italy to Arkansas one Christmas and they did fine except some got a little smooshed. Make sure to pack with care!
Dawn C. says
I’ve been looking for a recipe like this one for a while now. Thank you for posting it! I have one question. I will be hosting a candy making day, and want to have everything prepped in advance. Do you think it would be okay to make up the fondant the day before and keep it in the refrigerator until ready to use? TYIA!
Favorite Family Recipes says
I haven’t tried that before, so I can’t guarantee anything. However, if you do try it, I would recommend wrapping it in plastic wrap and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Ashley says
How cool of a temp do they need to set at? I have an outdoor refrigerator i was going to turn up as high as it will go (around 48*) and put them in Tupperware containers in there??
Favorite Family Recipes says
That should work!
Sarah Meyer says
I made a sample batch a week ago. They have been sitting, covered and the chocolate is changing colors. I’m nervous to make a huge batch for people to have the chocolate go bad. Suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Favorite Family Recipes says
What color is it changing to? If it is turning white, it probably isn’t mold. Chocolate can sometimes “bloom” which means some of the fat separates from the sugar and pushes to the surface. It doesn’t affect the taste. To avoid blooming, make sure they are stored chilled and don’t get too warm at any point in the process.
Karry says
I made these a couple of weeks ago. The center did not liquefy. Maybe I used to much fondant to wrap the cherries in? Disappointed. They taste good though.
Emma says
What kind of corn syrup do you use?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Light corn syrup!
Martha Murray says
Could I use agave instead of corn syrup, my granddaughter is allergic to both rice and corn, I also have homemade marshmallow fondant if that would work
Favorite Family Recipes says
We haven’t tried it that way before, so I can’t definitively say how it will affect the recipe. Let us know how it turns out if you do try it, though!
Pam says
Can’t wait to try these cherries. I was wondering if the current published ingredients (3 Tbspn corn syrup/2 cups powdered sugar) is the one that was edited for 60 cherries or the original recipe for 36, as someone commented about.
Favorite Family Recipes says
I’m so sorry for the confusion. I’m not sure how that was changed back 60. This recipe is for 36 chocolate covered cherries. I’ve corrected it on the recipe. Thank you so much for letting us know!
Cindy says
I used to make these years ago and then I lost all of my Christmas magazines along with the recipe. My grown son loved mine and I will surprise him with these for Christmas! Thanks so much for giving this back to my family
Favorite Family Recipes says
Cindy, we love getting comments like this! I’m so happy this recipe will bring back a family tradition. Please let us know how your son likes them! What a fun surprise! 🙂
brenda says
The recipe I have wraps them in a fondant-type mixture first. As they sit, that layer becomes liquidy. YUM!
Kristin says
That’s what the butter/ corn syrup/powdered sugar mixture is