Decadent Chocolate-Dipped Maraschino Cherries 🍫🍒

Chocolate-Covered Maraschino Cherries 🍫🍒

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 36 cherries (more or less, depending on the size of cherries)

Description:

Indulge in the delightful combination of juicy maraschino cherries enveloped in rich, smooth chocolate. These chocolate-covered cherries are a beloved treat, perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any occasion. They are incredibly easy to make and are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike!

Ingredients:

• 36 maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening

Instructions:

1. Prepare Cherries:

   • Start by draining the maraschino cherries thoroughly and patting them dry with paper towels. Set them aside for later use.

2. Prepare Dough:

   • In a mixing bowl, sift the powdered sugar and set it aside.
   • In another bowl, combine the melted butter, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
   • Gradually pour the wet mixture over the sifted powdered sugar, stirring continuously to form a smooth dough. You may need to use your hands to knead the dough until it reaches a stiff, non-sticky consistency. If the dough is too sticky, add more powdered sugar slowly until it firms up.

3. Wrap Cherries:

   • Take a small amount of dough and flatten it into a disc.
   • Carefully wrap each cherry with the dough, ensuring it covers the cherry completely. Pinch off any excess dough and reshape if necessary. Place the coated cherries on wax paper-lined cookie sheets.

4. Chill:

   • Once all the cherries are wrapped, place the cookie sheets in the refrigerator and let them chill for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough set and makes it easier to dip the cherries in chocolate.

5. Melt Chocolate:

   • In a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, melt the chocolate chips and shortening together until smooth and glossy. Alternatively, you can use chocolate-flavored almond bark or candy coating for convenience.

6. Coat Cherries:

   • Remove the chilled cherries from the refrigerator. Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully dip each cherry into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is fully coated. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off before placing the coated cherries back onto the wax paper-lined cookie sheets.

7. Set Chocolate:

   • Once all the cherries are coated, return the cookie sheets to the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to set completely. This typically takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

8. Serve and Enjoy:

   • Once the chocolate has hardened, your chocolate-covered maraschino cherries are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them as a delightful treat for yourself, your family, or guests. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

These chocolate-covered cherries are a true delight, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and richness. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply as a sweet indulgence, they are sure to impress with their irresistible flavor and homemade charm. Enjoy every decadent bite! 🍫🍒