Chocolate Covered Cherry Truffles Recipe

If you love a little bit of indulgence wrapped up in a bite-sized treat, then trust me, this Chocolate Covered Cherry Truffles Recipe is going to become one of your absolute favorites. I promise, once you try these luscious cherries cloaked in smooth chocolate with a sweet, gooey fondant center, you’ll never look at store-bought truffles the same way again. Stick with me and I‘ll walk you through this easy yet impressively decadent recipe that’s perfect for gifts, parties, or just spoiling yourself on a quiet night in.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this recipe, the magic happens when you combine juicy maraschino cherries with a velvety fondant and a rich chocolate coating. Each ingredient plays its part in making the textures and flavors sing together.

• Maraschino Cherries: Choose cherries packed in jars, not cans, for better texture and flavor; drain and dry them well.
• Powdered Sugar: This forms the base of the fondant, creating that silky smooth sweet center.
• Butter: Adds richness and a slight creaminess to your fondant.
• Corn Syrup: Keeps the fondant soft and pliable—don’t swap this out or your fondant won’t be right.
• Dipping Chocolate & Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Using a combination helps achieve a shiny, firm shell when dipped.
• Shortening or Coconut Oil: Helps your melted chocolate stay smooth and shiny without seizing up.

Variations

I’m all for making this recipe yours. Over the years, I’ve tweaked it to match my mood or season, and I encourage you to do the same — it’s part of the fun!

• Cherry Cordials: I like to soak my cherries in a splash of brandy or rum for 24 hours to add a boozy kick—it’s a total crowd-pleaser.
• Chocolate Types: Try dark chocolate for a richer, less sweet shell, or white chocolate for a fun color contrast. Just adjust the shortening amount to keep the melt smooth.
• Stem or No Stem: Leaving stems on can make dipping easier, but removing them and using toothpicks gives a neater finish and seals the chocolate better.
• Flavored Fondant: Adding a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract to your fondant mix lends a nice aroma and complexity.

How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherry Truffles Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Cherries

Start by deciding if you want to keep the cherry stems on—it’s a personal choice. Either way, give them a thorough pat dry on paper towels. This part is super important because any extra moisture will mess with your fondant later. If you’re feeling adventurous, try soaking your cherries in brandy or rum for up to 24 hours to make cherry cordials. Just remember to dry them extra well afterward!

Step 2: Make the Fondant

Now, this is my favorite part because it’s hands-on and kind of therapeutic. Mix butter and corn syrup with your hands until completely smooth—trust me, it works better than a mixer here. Then sift in that powdered sugar and knead everything into a soft but firm dough, kind of like fresh Play-Doh. Pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes to rest and firm up.

Step 3: Wrap Your Cherries

Take about 1½ teaspoons of fondant dough and roll it into a little log the width of your index finger. Flatten it like a tiny pancake, set a cherry right in the center, then wrap the dough around it and pinch the ends closed. Roll the whole thing gently in your hand to smooth it into a perfect ball with even fondant thickness. Line them up on a parchment-lined tray and let them chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes until firm but not soggy. This chilling step is key to preventing the fondant from breaking down too fast.

Step 4: Melt Your Chocolate

While your cherries are firming up, melt your dipping chocolate with the semi-sweet chips and a teaspoon of shortening or coconut oil in a double boiler or fondue pot on low heat. Stir almost constantly to keep it silky smooth. Remember: not a single drop of water can touch that chocolate or it’ll seize and ruin your coating!

Step 5: Dip and Coat

Dip each fondant-covered cherry one-by-one into the chocolate using a toothpick. After lifting it out, gently tap off the excess chocolate and slide it onto parchment paper. Use another toothpick dipped in chocolate to cover the tiny hole made by the toothpick — this neat trick seals the cherry completely. Once all cherries are dipped, let them set until firm.

Here’s a little secret I discovered: the underside of these dipped cherries ends up with a thin chocolate layer that needs reinforcing. Holding the cherry carefully, dip just the bottom again in melted chocolate to build up a sturdier base. Place back on parchment or pop them into paper candy cups to chill. This two-step dipping prevents leaks later when the fondant liquifies inside.

How to Serve Chocolate Covered Cherry Truffles Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the chocolate while it’s still wet for that unexpected salty-sweet tango. A dusting of cocoa powder or powdered sugar on top looks lovely for gifts, too.

Side Dishes

These truffles pair beautifully with a cup of rich espresso, a glass of red wine, or even a light vanilla gelato if you want to go all out for dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I nestle each cherry truffle inside pretty paper candy cups arranged in a decorative box or a glass jar tied with a ribbon. They’re stunning gifts or party favors that look as good as they taste.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store my chocolate covered cherries in an airtight container at room temperature, ideally in a cool, dry spot away from humidity. They’ll keep perfectly for a month or more, which is fantastic if you want to make a batch ahead for holidays or events.

Freezing

I actually don’t recommend freezing these because the cherries contain a lot of moisture, and freezing can cause the chocolate shell to crack and the filling to leak when thawed. Stick to cool, dry storage instead for best results.

Reheating

Since these are best served at room temperature, I just let them sit out for about 20 minutes if they’ve been stored in a cooler place. That way, the chocolate softens slightly, and the fondant center is gooey and irresistible.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Covered Cherry Truffles Recipe has been a little labor of love for me, but every time I make it, I get rewarded with sweet, syrupy bites that are nothing short of magical. Whether you’re gifting them to loved ones or treating yourself, I promise the texture contrast and rich flavors will have you hooked. Grab your cherries and your chocolate, and make these truffles soon—you’ll be so glad you did!

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