Homemade chocolate covered cherries have a whole maraschino cherry tucked inside soft vanilla-almond fondant and a rich semi-sweet chocolate shell. Make about 25 cordials for cookie trays, gift boxes, or a small after-dinner treat. The fondant is mixed without cooking a sugar syrup, and the chocolate melts in the microwave. Plan on 35 minutes of prep, 5 minutes of cooking, two 20-minute chills, and time for the coating to set.
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.
This homemade version wraps each cherry in a soft, buttery fondant flavored with vanilla and almond extracts. Each bite has a creamy fondant center like the one shown in the photos.
For a mixed candy box, pair these with chocolate coconut balls or peanut butter balls. The dipping is a little hands-on, but the ingredients are familiar and the finished candies feel special.
What Are Cherry Cordials?
Cherry cordials are chocolate candies with a cherry inside a sweet filling. In this recipe, a whole maraschino cherry is wrapped in a soft dough made with powdered sugar, butter, cherry juice, vanilla, and almond extract, then coated in melted chocolate.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
You get a juicy cherry, a soft vanilla-almond center, and rich chocolate in each bite. There's no cooked sugar syrup, candy thermometer, or candy mold to manage.
Recipe at a Glance
- Yield: About 25 cordials.
- Flavor and texture: Sweet cherry, buttery vanilla-almond fondant, and semi-sweet chocolate.
- Time: 35 minutes prep + 5 minutes cook + 40 minutes chilling, plus final setting time.
- Difficulty: Simple mixing and melting, with patient hands-on wrapping and dipping.
- Make ahead: Yes; store only after the chocolate sets.
- Freezer-friendly: Up to 3 months, following the directions below.
- Best occasions: Homemade gifts, holiday cookie trays, and after-dinner sweets.
A Candy-Box Favorite at Home
Chocolate-covered cherries are a holiday candy-box favorite in our house. Quinton's enthusiasm for them is the reason a homemade batch feels like such a personal gift.
This recipe uses a mixed powdered-sugar fondant rather than a cooked sugar syrup. Once the chocolate has set, the cordials are ready to enjoy.
The vanilla and almond extracts round out the cherry flavor, while semi-sweet chocolate balances the sweet filling. Keep the method and texture cues below in mind as you work.
Gather Your Ingredients
- Maraschino cherries: One 16-ounce jar, about 25 cherries. Reserve ¼ cup juice for the fondant; pat the cherries dry.
- Kosher salt: ¼ teaspoon, dissolved in the reserved juice so it disperses through the filling.
- Powdered sugar: 4 cups, divided. Start with 3 cups and use only as much of the remaining cup as needed for a soft dough.
- Salted butter: 4 tablespoons, softened so it mixes evenly.
- Vanilla and almond extracts: 1 teaspoon vanilla and ½ teaspoon almond for the filling.
- Chocolate: 16 ounces semi-sweet, or a mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate.
- Coconut oil: 2 tablespoons, melted with the chocolate for dipping.
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Tools You'll Need
Gather a large mixing bowl, a microwave-safe bowl, measuring cups and spoons, paper towels, and a parchment-lined baking sheet. A fork helps if your cherries don't have stems.
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Buy Now → How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherry Cordials
Make the fondant, wrap and chill the dry cherries, then dip them in melted chocolate. The two chilling periods help the soft filling hold its shape while you work.
1. Prepare the Cherries
Drain the cherries, reserving ¼ cup juice. Stir the ¼ teaspoon kosher salt into the juice until dissolved. Spread the cherries on paper towels and pat each one dry, including around the stem. A wet cherry makes the fondant harder to wrap.
2. Make the Fondant Coating
Mix 3 cups powdered sugar, the softened salted butter, the reserved salted cherry juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract in a large bowl. Add the remaining 1 cup powdered sugar a little at a time, stopping when a soft dough forms; you may not need all of it. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
3. Wrap the Cherries
Lightly dust your hands with powdered sugar. Roll portions of fondant into 1½-inch balls, flatten each one, and wrap it completely around a dried cherry. Roll gently to smooth the surface, leaving the stem accessible. Set the wrapped cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
4. Melt the Chocolate
Place the chocolate and coconut oil in a dry, microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval, until melted and smooth. Stir thoroughly before heating again; small pieces may finish melting in the warm chocolate. Avoid overheating.
5. Dip the Cherries
Hold each chilled, fondant-wrapped cherry by the stem and dip it into the melted chocolate. Let excess chocolate drip back into the bowl, then place the cherry on parchment. Repeat with the remaining cherries. If you like, drizzle with melted candy wafers. Allow the coating to set completely before storing. For stemless cherries, use a fork and tap gently to remove excess chocolate.
Find the complete ingredient measurements and printable recipe card below.
Helpful Tips Before You Start
Dry cherries and pliable, chilled fondant make the wrapping easier. Add the final cup of powdered sugar gradually, and stop when the dough is soft enough to flatten and wrap without smearing.
A Few Easy Mistakes to Avoid
Don't leave syrup on the cherries, force all the remaining sugar into the dough, or skip the two chills. Keep water out of the melting chocolate, and cover the fondant completely when dipping, especially around the stem.
A Few Things That Make This Recipe Better
Dissolving the salt in the cherry juice distributes it through the fondant. Softened butter blends more evenly than a cold lump, and stirring between microwave intervals lets you judge the chocolate before adding more heat.
What to Serve with Chocolate Covered Cherry Cordials
Serve the cordials with coffee, hot chocolate, or dessert wine, or tuck them into a holiday cookie tray. Peppermint hot cocoa mix makes a useful companion gift, and butter toffee pretzels add a salty crunch to a candy assortment.
Add a warm drink, a salty crunch, and a spiced cookie to round out the dessert tray.
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix
Butter Toffee Pretzels
Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
Questions About Cherry Cordials
What's the creamy filling made of?
The fondant is a soft dough made with powdered sugar, salted butter, reserved cherry juice, kosher salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract. It wraps around the whole cherry before dipping.
Which chocolate should I use?
Use 16 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, or a mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate. The chocolate balances the sweet fondant and cherries.
Will the center turn into liquid?
Expect a soft, creamy center like the one shown in the photos. The recipe does not use invertase, and a clear liquid center after a particular resting period is not a tested promise. You can enjoy the cordials once the chocolate coating has set.
Can I use cherries without stems?
Yes. Wrap stemless maraschino cherries in fondant, then use a fork to dip them. Tap the fork gently to let excess chocolate fall back into the bowl.
Does this recipe contain liqueur?
No liqueur or spirits are added. Vanilla and almond extracts may contain alcohol, so check the extract labels if that matters for the people you're serving.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Room Temperature:
Store chocolate-covered cherry cordials in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Allow the cordials to come to room temperature before serving.
Freezing: Freeze the dipped cherries on a parchment-lined tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator to help limit condensation on the chocolate.
Can You Make Them Ahead?
Yes. Make the cordials ahead, let the chocolate set completely, and store them using the room-temperature, refrigerator, or freezer directions above. Pack them into treat boxes once the shell is firm so they don't stick to the packaging.
My Favorite Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Brilliance Storage Containers
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Buy Now → A Sweet Gift Worth Making
A small box of homemade cordials brings the same candy-box excitement to the table. Let the chocolate set before packing them, and include the storage directions with your gift.
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More Recipes You Might Like
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, sweet, and perfectly salty, these butter toffee pretzels come together fast and make an easy anytime snack for parties, gift bags, or late-night cravings. They're simple, festive, and always disappear first.
Fruit Cake Coconut Macaroons
Chewy, sweet, and packed with colorful candied fruit, these easy coconut macaroons bring classic fruitcake flavor in a simple, no-fuss cookie perfect for holiday trays and gifting.
Chocolate Coconut Balls
These no-bake chocolate coconut balls taste like a homemade Mounds bar-rich, chewy, and so easy to make. Perfect for holiday trays, gifting, or a quick sweet treat anytime.
Peanut Butter Balls
Creamy peanut butter wrapped in smooth chocolate-an easy no-bake holiday treat that everyone loves. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or adding to your Christmas cookie tray.
Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
Warm spices, a chewy texture, and crackly tops make these soft and chewy ginger molasses cookies the perfect holiday treat for cookie exchanges and festive baking.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
These classic Peanut Butter Blossoms are soft, sweet, and full of nostalgic flavor! Easy to make, perfect for gifting, holiday trays, or sharing with loved ones any time of year.
Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherry Cordials
Chocolate covered cherry cordials combine juicy cherries, creamy fondant centers, and rich chocolate shells for an easy homemade candy perfect for gifting.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 25 cordials (about) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) jar Maraschino Cherries (with stems, (about 25 cherries, juice reserved))
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar (divided)
- 4 tablespoons Salted Butter (softened)
- 16 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (or a mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate)
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
Prepare the Cherries
- Drain the cherries and reserve ¼ cup of the cherry juice. Mix the kosher salt into the reserved juice until dissolved.
- 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, the ¼ cup reserved cherry juice with salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract 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
Substitutions
- Maraschino cherries without stems may be used; dip with a fork, tapping gently to remove excess chocolate.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Add to holiday cookie trays.
- Serve alongside coffee, hot chocolate, or dessert wines.
- Use as an edible gift packaged in small treat boxes.
Storage
- 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.
Freezing
- 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.
Timing includes two 20-minute chilling periods; allow additional time for the chocolate to set. Expect a soft, creamy fondant center.
Nutrition
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 19
- Sodium: 15
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 19
- Fiber: 0.004
- Protein: 0.02
- Cholesterol: 5
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