Description
Maraschino cherries wrapped in sweet fondant and enrobed in chocolate make for the quintessential Valentine’s Day treat! Be sure to start early if making these for Valentine’s Day. These candies taste best if allowed to rest for a week or two prior to serving!
Ingredients
25–30 maraschino cherries, pitted and with stems removed
125 grams confectioner’s sugar (1 cup)
35 grams corn syrup (about 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon)
20 grams unsalted butter, softened (about 1.5 tablespoons)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, or to taste**
Good-quality milk or dark chocolate couverture, for enrobing
Instructions
Line a plate or tray with baking parchment. Set aside.
Drain the cherries and remove the stems, then set aside until ready to use.
In a small bowl, combine confectioner’s sugar, butter, corn syrup, and vanilla. Use your hands to knead the ingredients together to form a soft dough.
Wrap each cherry in a spoonful of the sugar-corn syrup mixture (I like to use a small melon baller to portion out the fondant).
Transfer wrapped cherries to a parchment-lined tray. Freeze for at least 20 minutes prior to enrobing.
While cherries are chilling, temper your chocolate. (See my notes on tempering, above).
Working quickly, enrobe cherries completely in tempered chocolate. Transfer to prepared tray and decorate with an enrobing fork, drizzle with additional melted chocolate, or top with Valentine’s Day sprinkles.
Place chocolate covered cherries in an airtight container. Allow to rest at room temperature for 1-2 weeks prior to enjoying, in order to allow the fondant centers to liquefy.
Notes
**If you prefer a stronger cherry taste, substitute 1/4 – 1 teaspoon of the maraschino cherry juice instead.
It’s important to start early if making these for Valentine’s Day; the candies need to rest for a week or two prior to serving. This resting time allows the fondant around the cherry to liquefy, creating the signature texture of a chocolate covered cherry.
An enrobing fork isn’t an absolute requirement for this recipe, but it will certainly make your life easier! It will also allow you to create fun decorations in your chocolates. If you don’t have one, you can use a regular fork to dip your chocolates instead.
- Prep Time: 45-60 minutes
- Category: Chocolate
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Sweets