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There was a stretch of years when cordial cherries were practically a holiday mascot in our house. Quinton loves them-I mean love, loves them-and the kids knew it. Every Christmas, they'd proudly hand over a shiny Christmas paper-wrapped box of chocolate-covered cherries and settle in close, waiting for their dad to open it like it was the best gift he'd ever receive.
He'd peel back the wrapper, lift out that first silky milk chocolate shell, and they'd scream as if they'd handcrafted those cherry chocolates themselves. Watching him bite into the smooth chocolate coating and seeing the syrupy center spill just a little was half the fun for them.
Later on, I stumbled across an Amish-style version of homemade dark chocolate cherry cordials, and it changed the game. It had everything Quinton loves: a whole cherry tucked into a soft fondant center, a rich chocolate exterior, and that moment when the inside turns liquid and luscious after resting a few days. They reminded me of the lammes candies chocolate cordials we'd occasionally splurge on-only these feel even more special.
If you've got cherry lovers in your life or you're looking for the perfect gift for a special occasion, this recipe will take you far. The combination of bold dark chocolate, smooth milk chocolate options, and that classic cordial cherry flavor makes them an special treat you'll end up making again and again.
Where This Dish Comes From
Cordial chocolates trace their history back to old European candy-making traditions, where preserved fruit was paired with sugar syrups and cocoa. Over time, chocolate-covered cherry cordials became a beloved American holiday treat, especially around Christmas and Valentine's Day.
The Amish-style method adds that signature fondant layer around each whole cherry, which slowly transforms into a liquid center under the chocolate shell. It's a simple technique that delivers the kind of decadent chocolate bite people line up for in candy shops.
This version captures everything people love about chocolate cherries-soft fondant, velvety chocolate, and a perfectly balanced syrupy center.
Kitchen Equipment
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Buy Now → Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Cherries
- Drain cherries, reserving ¼ cup juice.
- Place cherries on paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Pat each whole cherry dry so the fondant sticks well.
Make the Fondant Coating
- Mix 3 cups powdered sugar, softened butter, and reserved juice until smooth.
- Add remaining sugar gradually until a soft dough forms.
- Refrigerate fondant for 20 minutes.
Wrap the Cherries
- Dust hands with powdered sugar.
- Roll fondant into small balls and flatten each one.
- Wrap each cordial cherry completely and roll again to smooth.
- Chill wrapped cherries for 20 minutes.
Melt the Chocolate
- Melt chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler.
- Heat slowly and stir often until smooth, silky, and pourable.
- Avoid overheating, which can cause chocolate to seize.
Dip the Cherries
Allow chocolate to set completely before storing.ph
Hold each cherry by the stem and dip into the melted chocolate.
Let excess drip off and place on parchment.
Optional: Drizzle with additional smooth milk chocolate or dark chocolate for decoration.
✨ Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe ✨
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Chef Tips
- Dry cherries thoroughly-moisture prevents the coating from sticking.
- For dark chocolate lovers, use a blend of semi-sweet and bold dark chocolate.
- For a milder flavor, silky milk chocolate makes a great coating.
- Let cordials rest several days for the center to liquefy fully.
Serving Ideas
- Add to Christmas cookie platters or Valentine's Day treat boxes.
- Package in a clear gift box for an easy, elegant presentation.
- Serve with hot coffee, after-dinner drinks, or dessert wine.
- Use as a homemade candy option for special occasions.
FAQs
Are these like classic chocolate-covered cherry cordials?
Yes-soft fondant, a whole cherry center, and rich chocolate coating.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark?
Absolutely. Smooth milk chocolate gives a softer, even sweeter flavor profile, while dark chocolate creates a deeper, richer bite.
How long until the center becomes liquid?
Several days. As the fondant softens, you'll get that signature syrupy center cherry lovers adore.
Do I need stems for dipping?
No. Use a fork for stemless cherries.
Storage & Freezing
Room Temperature:
Store chocolate-covered cherry cordials in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Refrigerator:
Keeps up to 3 weeks. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Freezing:
Freeze individually first on parchment, then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator to protect the chocolate shell.
My Favorite Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Brilliance Storage Containers
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When a recipe brings out the kind of excitement that used to happen on our living room couch-kids crowding in, Quinton unwrapping the box-it's worth keeping. These decadent chocolate cordial cherries might just become the new family tradition.
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If Your Sweet Tooth Isn't Done Yet…
Sweet little bite-size treats have a way of disappearing faster than anything else on the dessert table-especially the kind you can "just grab one" of on the way through the kitchen. If you love stashing a few chocolate-covered cherries off to the side for yourself, you'll probably want to tuck these away, too. Here are some small, shareable (or not-so-shareable) sweets that are perfect for gifting, snacking, and hiding in the back of the fridge behind the pickles.
Butter Toffee Pretzels - Crunchy, salty pretzels coated in a buttery toffee and baked until crisp. Perfect for nibbling by the handful and dangerously easy to keep "just for you."
Fruit Cake Coconut Macaroons - Chewy coconut cookies studded with jewel-toned candied fruit. All the holiday flavor of fruitcake, but in a sweet little bite that actually gets fought over.
Chocolate Covered Coconut Balls - Rich chocolate on the outside, sweet coconut on the inside. These are simple to make, freeze well, and taste like the best part of the candy box.
Peanut Butter Balls - Smooth peanut butter centers dipped in chocolate for a classic candy-shop treat. Ideal for peanut butter lovers and perfect for tucking into tins or gift boxes.
Chewy Molasses Cookies - Soft, chewy cookies with deep molasses flavor and warm spice. Great on a cookie tray, even better with coffee when nobody's looking.
Peanut Butter Blossoms - Soft, tender peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss. A nostalgic favorite that disappears from cookie trays faster than you can bake the next batch.
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Cherry Cordials
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) jar Maraschino Cherries with stems, (about 25 cherries, juice reserved)
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar divided
- 4 tablespoons Salted Butter softened
- 1 (11-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
Prepare the Cherries
- Drain the cherries and reserve ¼ cup of the cherry juice.
- Place cherries on paper towels to absorb excess liquid.
- Pat each cherry dry to ensure the coating adheres properly.
Make the Fondant Coating
- In a large bowl, mix 3 cups powdered sugar, softened butter, and ¼ cup reserved cherry juice until combined.
- Add the remaining 1 cup powdered sugar, a little at a time, until a soft dough forms. (You may not need the full amount.)
- Refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes.
Wrap the Cherries
- Lightly dust hands with powdered sugar.
- Roll portions of fondant into 1½-inch balls.
- Flatten each ball and wrap it completely around a dried cherry.
- Roll again to smooth the surface.
- Place wrapped cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Melt the Chocolate
- Place chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval, until fully melted and smooth.
- Avoid overheating to prevent the chocolate from seizing.
Dip the Cherries
- Holding each cherry by the stem, dip it into the melted chocolate and allow excess to drip off.
- Place dipped cherries onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Repeat with all remaining cherries.
- Optional: Drizzle with colored melted candy wafers for decoration.
- Allow chocolate to set completely before storing.
Notes
- Maraschino cherries without stems may be used; dip with a fork, tapping gently to remove excess chocolate.
- Add to holiday cookie trays.
- Serve alongside coffee, hot chocolate, or dessert wines.
- Use as an edible gift packaged in small treat boxes.
- Store cherries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For longer storage, refrigerate up to 3 weeks; allow to come to room temperature before serving.
- Freeze dipped cherries on a parchment-lined tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator to prevent condensation on the chocolate.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.
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