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Some candies feel like a holiday ritual and chocolate covered cherries – cherry cordials are right at the top of that list! Juicy maraschino cherries hide inside a creamy fondant, then get a dip in glossy dark chocolate for that snap and ooze you crave. The method’s simple yet the results look boutique. You can flavor the fondant with a splash of amaretto if you like, or keep it classic. Dress them up with festive sprinkles or a colorful drizzle.
Make chocolate covered cherries – cherry cordials with a creamy fondant center and a glossy dark chocolate shell. They’re festive to gift, easy to decorate and delicious.
Also try mini caramel apple cheesecakes, chocolate brownies, raspberry truffles, red velvet marble loaf, or maybe Rudolph the reindeer donuts.
Why You’ll Love It
Festive: If you’re looking for chocolate-covered homemade treats for the holidays, this maraschino cherry recipe is perfectly festive. Why not make some to gift too?
Delicious: A wonderfully contrasting treat, these cherry cordials offer the sweetness of cherries and amaretto liqueur balanced out with much less sweet dark chocolate. It’s impossible to eat just one of these!
Easy to make: Candy isn’t always simple to make, especially when pans of boiling mixtures and candy thermometers come into play. However, you don’t need any specialist knowledge or equipment to make these chocolate-covered cherries. Even a relative newbie in the kitchen shouldn’t have any issues with this straightforward recipe.
Nostalgic: A box of chocolate-covered cherries from Cella’s, Queen Anne’s, and Brach’s was a staple in homes during the holidays. Now you can make your own!
Chocolate Cherries with Amaretto Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Maraschino cherries: Juicy cherries that bring bright color and classic candy shop flavor.
Salted butter: Softens the fondant and adds a rich finish.
Light corn syrup: Helps the fondant stay smooth and easy to wrap.
Amaretto liqueur: An optional ingredient that adds an almond cherry note to the filling.
Powdered sugar: Builds the fondant body and sweetness.
Dark or semi sweet chocolate: Melts for a snappy shell with balanced flavor.
Chocolate almond bark: Adds stability for a smooth, even dip.
Sprinkles: An optional festive finish for color and crunch (here or here).
How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherries
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the maraschino cherries: Drain the cherries and dry on a paper towel.
Make the dough: Whip the butter and corn syrup in a large bowl, and then mix in the amaretto followed by as much powdered sugar as you need for a Play-Doh like consistency.
Wrap the cherry cordials in the dough: Wrap each maraschino cherry in some of the powdered sugar mixture then arrange on parchment paper or wax paper.
Coat them in melted chocolate: Melt chocolate in the microwave, then dip each cherry in it and let the cherry cordials set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (here) for at least an hour.
The finishing touches: You might like to sprinkle some festive sprinkles over the chocolate coating before it sets (so they will stick) or you could drizzle extra chocolate on top.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten free option: Use gluten free verified chocolate and a certified liqueur or skip the liqueur.
Milk chocolate shell: Swap dark chocolate for a sweeter finish.
Cherry juice boost: Stir a teaspoon of cherry juice into the fondant for color and flavor.
Nut free note: Skip amaretto and add vanilla or almond free extract for a similar vibe.
Cordial center: Let the candies rest longer so the fondant liquefies more around the cherry.
Serving Suggestions
With a drink: These can be enjoyed with anything from a cup of coffee or Grinch green hot chocolate to a fun beverage like Santa hat cocktails.
With other sweet treats: If you’re making other festive goodies, you might like to have marshmallow pops, mint chocolate puppy chow and rainbow cookies too.
How to Store Cherry Cordial Chocolate Treats
Store: These will keep for a couple of weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator, maybe longer.
Freeze: You can also keep them in the freezer and they should last for months in there.
Thaw: You can serve them frozen as they thaw fast. Alternatively thaw them in the fridge.
Top Tips
Dry thoroughly: Wet cherries cause slipping coats and sugar bloom.
Seal well: No gaps in the fondant or syrup will leak.
Work cool: Keep the room cool so the fondant stays firm while dipping.
Thin as needed: Add a touch of oil to loosen overly thick chocolate.
Test one: Dip a single candy to check set and shine before doing the batch.
Chocolate Covered Cherry FAQs
Only very slightly. If it seems too sticky, add more powdered sugar, either directly to the dough or on your hands. You want the texture to be similar to that of Play-Doh.
The easiest way is to use a fork for dipping and then another fork to slide the Christmas treats off the first fork and on to the waxed paper. You could also use toothpicks.
If you can resist eating them immediately, you will find that the longer they sit, the more the center will liquefy. Make them up to 2 weeks ahead and store in an airtight container if you want to serve them with a runny center.
If you have a warm kitchen, this can happen. After wrapping the cherries in the dough mixture, place them on a cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove 3 or 4 at a time to dip in the chocolate.
Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe
Chocolate Covered Cherries – Cherry Cordials
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
Ingredients
- 20 Ounces maraschino cherries, stemless, about 75
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter
- 4 Tablespoons light corn syrup
- 4 to 5 Cups powdered sugar
- 10 Ounces dark chocolate, or semi sweet
- 4 Ounces chocolate almond bark
Optional Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons amaretto liquor
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Drain the maraschino cherries (the liquid can be saved for other recipes or drinks). Let the cherries dry on a paper towel.
- In a bowl combine the softened butter and corn syrup, whip together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add in the amaretto liquor (if using) and whip again.
- Add in 2 cups of the powdered sugar, mix until combined. Continue to add additional powdered sugar until the dough becomes a soft Play-Doh consistency.
- Take a small ball of the dough, a little bit bigger than a cherry, and flatten it into the palm of your hand. Place one of the dry cherries into the middle of the dough, wrap the dough around the cherry making sure it is fully covered and sealed.
- Roll the ball of dough with the cherry in it gently between your hands to get a nice round shape, then set the wrapped cherry aside on a piece of parchment paper. Continue to do this until all of the cherries have been wrapped.
- Melt the dark chocolate with the chocolate almond bark in a microwave safe bowl, heating in 15 to 30 second intervals until smooth and combined.
- Carefully dip each of the wrapped cherries into the melted chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip off then set onto a sheet lined with parchment paper.
- After all of the cherries have been dipped and have hardened, you may decorate the tops with your favorite accents. For these I have drizzled the tops with the leftover dipping chocolate and sprinkled with festive sprinkles and edible glitter.
Notes
Seal well: No gaps in the fondant or syrup will leak.
Work cool: Keep the room cool so the fondant stays firm while dipping.
Thin as needed: Add a touch of oil to loosen overly thick chocolate.
Test one: Dip a single candy to check set and shine before doing the batch.
Nutrition
If you love gifting sweets with big payoff, this chocolate covered cherry recipe hits the mark. The fondant wraps each cherry cleanly, the chocolate sets with shine and the bite delivers syrupy cherry with rich cocoa. You can flavor the filling or keep it straightforward. Pack them in little boxes or pile them on a tray. Friends will ask for the recipe after one taste of chocolate covered cherries – cherry cordials, and you’ll be happy to share this simple recipe.
Other Recipes to Try
- You’ll love these Pecan Sugar Cookies, featuring crunchy pecans in every bite.
- Red Velvet Sugar Cookies are so good they’re borderline addictive!
- These Chocolate Cherry Cookies blend sweet cherries with rich chocolate.
- I’m obsessed with the velvety texture of Almond Crust Amaretto Cream Pie!
- Whip up Chocolate Covered Strawberry Reindeer, a whimsical dessert.
- Get right into the holiday spirit with a batch of Gingerbread Linzer Cookies!
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
There was no leftovers. It was so good!
I made it this Christmas and it was a hit with the family! I love the chocolate and cherry comb. Never goes wrong!