Chocolate lovers rejoice! If you’re looking for a sweet and indulgent treat, chocolate covered cherry cordials are the perfect choice. These bite-sized delights feature a juicy cherry center coated in rich chocolate, making them an irresistible dessert option or even a thoughtful gift for loved ones. Here are two delicious and easy-to-follow recipes to make this treat at home.
Recipe 1: Classic Chocolate Covered Cherry Cordials
Ingredients:
- 1 jar maraschino cherries with stems (drained and dried)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 2 cups dark or milk chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Combine powdered sugar, butter, and heavy cream in a bowl and mix until smooth.
- Take a small amount of the mixture and form a ball around each cherry, covering it entirely.
- Place the coated cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave, stirring frequently until smooth.
- Dip each cherry in the melted chocolate, using a spoon to coat it evenly.
- Place the cherries on the parchment-lined baking sheet and let them cool until the chocolate hardens.
- Store the chocolate covered cherry cordials in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to one week.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1 cordial. Calories: 60. Fat: 3g. Carbohydrates: 8g. Protein: 1g.
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 15 minutes. Freezing time: 30 minutes. Total time: 45 minutes.
Equipment:
Bowl, parchment-lined baking sheet, double boiler or microwave, spoon.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these chocolate covered cherry cordials as a dessert with a cup of coffee or tea. They also make great gifts for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or other special occasions.
Variations:
You can use white chocolate instead of dark or milk chocolate for a different flavor. You can also add a teaspoon of cherry extract to the powdered sugar mixture for an extra burst of cherry flavor.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use milk instead. You can also use vegan butter and chocolate chips for a dairy-free version.
Storage:
Store the chocolate covered cherry cordials in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to one week.
Tips:
- Make sure the cherries are well-drained and dried before coating them in the powdered sugar mixture.
- If the chocolate hardens before you finish dipping all the cherries, simply reheat it in the double boiler or microwave until it’s smooth again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries? Fresh cherries will release too much moisture and won’t hold their shape as well, so it’s best to use maraschino cherries for this recipe.
- Can I use other types of chocolate chips? Yes, you can use any type of chocolate chips you prefer, such as semisweet or white chocolate.
- Can I freeze the chocolate covered cherry cordials? Yes, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to two months.
Recipe 2: Boozy Chocolate Covered Cherry Cordials
Ingredients:
- 1 jar maraschino cherries with stems (drained and dried)
- 1/4 cup cherry liqueur
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups dark or milk chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Soak the cherries in cherry liqueur for at least an hour.
- Drain the cherries and pat them dry.
- Combine powdered sugar and a tablespoon of the cherry liqueur in a bowl and mix until smooth.
- Take a small amount of the mixture and form a ball around each cherry, covering it entirely.
- Place the coated cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave, stirring frequently until smooth.
- Dip each cherry in the melted chocolate, using a spoon to coat it evenly.
- Place the cherries on the parchment-lined baking sheet and let them cool until the chocolate hardens.
- Store the chocolate covered cherry cordials in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to one week.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1 cordial. Calories: 70. Fat: 3g. Carbohydrates: 10g. Protein: 1g.
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 1 hour and 15 minutes. Freezing time: 30 minutes. Total time: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Equipment:
Bowl, parchment-lined baking sheet, double boiler or microwave, spoon.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these boozy chocolate covered cherry cordials as a dessert with a glass of red wine or port. They also make great gifts for adults during the holiday season.
Variations:
You can use any type of liqueur you prefer, such as Kahlua or amaretto. You can also sprinkle chopped nuts or coconut on top of the chocolate before it hardens for a crunchy texture.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have cherry liqueur, you can use cherry juice or another type of liqueur that complements the flavor of chocolate.
Storage:
Store the chocolate covered cherry cordials in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to one week.
Tips:
- Make sure the cherries are well-drained and dried before coating them in the powdered sugar mixture.
- If the chocolate hardens before you finish dipping all the cherries, simply reheat it in the double boiler or microwave until it’s smooth again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries? Fresh cherries will release too much moisture and won’t hold their shape as well, so it’s best to use maraschino cherries for this recipe.
- Can I use other types of chocolate chips? Yes, you can use any type of chocolate chips you prefer, such as semisweet or white chocolate.
- Can I freeze the chocolate covered cherry cordials? Yes, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to two months.
Summary
Chocolate covered cherry cordials are a delicious and indulgent treat that can be made in many different ways. Whether you prefer the classic version or the boozy one, both recipes are easy to follow and yield delightful results. Serve these cordials as a dessert or give them as a gift to someone special. With their juicy cherry center and rich chocolate coating, they’re sure to please any sweet tooth.
So why not give these recipes a try and see for yourself how tasty and fun they are to make? You won’t regret it!