Description
A classic holiday confection featuring sweet maraschino cherries wrapped in a homemade fondant dough and dipped in a smooth chocolate shell. These treats are perfect for gifting or adding to a festive dessert platter. Over time, the fondant center softens, creating a delicious cordial-like texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 60 maraschino cherries with stems
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
- 1 pound chocolate confectioners’ coating
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and pat them completely dry with paper towels to ensure the fondant sticks.
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter and corn syrup together until smooth.
- Stir in the sifted confectioners’ sugar and knead the mixture by hand until a smooth, moldable dough forms.
- Take about 1 teaspoon of the dough and flatten it. Wrap it around a cherry, sealing it at the stem. Repeat for all cherries. Chill the wrapped cherries in the refrigerator until firm.
- Melt the chocolate confectioners’ coating in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Alternatively, use a microwave or double boiler to prevent scorching.
- Holding each cherry by the stem, dip it into the melted chocolate, swirling to coat completely. Place the dipped cherries on a tray lined with waxed paper or parchment paper.
- Chill the cherries in the refrigerator until the chocolate coating is fully set and hard.
- Store the finished chocolate-covered cherries in an airtight container in a cool place.
Notes
- Important Tip: It is crucial that the cherries are very dry before wrapping them in the fondant dough; otherwise, the dough will slide off.
- Aging: For a liquid center (cordial style), store the cherries in a cool place for 1 to 2 weeks. The enzymes in the fruit will slowly liquefy the sugar fondant.
- If the fondant dough is too sticky, add a little more confectioners’ sugar. If it is too dry, add a tiny drop of water or corn syrup.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Dipping
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cherry
- Calories: 60-75
- Sugar: 8-10 g
- Sodium: 5-10 mg
- Fat: 2-3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1-2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10-12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: <1 g
- Cholesterol: 2-5 mg
