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Close up of oozing chocolate covered cherry cut in half.
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4.98 from 40 votes

Chocolate Covered Cherries

These homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries are great for gifting and enjoying at Christmas. Sweet cherries, creamy fondant, and rich chocolate make these candies the perfect holiday treat.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: candy
Cuisine: American
Keyword: old fashioned chocolate cherries
Servings: 36 chocolates
Calories: 93kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Ingredients

  • 36 Maraschino cherries with stems
  • 3 tablespoons butter softened
  • 3 tablespoons corn syrup
  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 18 ounces chocolate chips semi-sweet or milk chocolate
  • 2 teaspoons oil

Instructions

  • Drain cherries and set on paper towel to dry
    Cherries drying on a paper towel for Chocolate Covered Cherries.
  • In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth.
    Bowl of butter and Caro syrup mixture to make Chocolate Covered Cherries.
  • Stir in powdered sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary.
    Ball of white fondant in a bowl for inner layer of Chocolate Covered Cherries.
  • Wrap each cherry in about 1 teaspoon of dough.
    Hand holding a cherry on top of the fondant circle for Chocolate Covered Cherries.
  • Place wrapped cherries on a cookie sheet and chill until firm.
    Baking sheet of fondant covered cherries for Chocolate Covered Cherries.
  • 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.
    Hand dipping fondant cherry into a bowl of melted chocolate for Chocolate Covered Cherries.
  • Place dipped cherries on wax paper-lined sheets. Allow chocolate to dry/harden.
    Tray of freshly dipped Chocolate Covered Cherries.
  • When chocolate is no longer shiny, place chocolate covered cherries in an air-tight container (like a large Tupperware or Rubbermaid container). 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).
    Chocolate Covered Cherries being stored in a Tupperware container.
  • After two weeks, cherries can be served or gifted in candy wrappers, gift bags, or boxes.
    Plate of Chocolate Covered Cherries next to gift boxes of chocolate covered cherries.

Video

Notes

• Drying the cherries well is one of the most important steps.
• If the fondant gets sticky, chill it before wrapping more cherries.
• The two week rest is what gives the centers that classic soft texture.
• Do not freeze these if you want the coating to stay intact.
• A small drop of almond extract can add a nice cherry cordial flavor.
• Good quality chocolate makes a big difference in taste and texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.1mg