Chocolate Covered Cherries {Dipped}

Quick and easy gourmet style chocolate covered cherries, homemade with simple ingredients. Cover in coconut, nuts, sprinkles. Great as snack or gift!

These are not the cordial cherries but the real, delicious kind with a crunch. I love, love, love this tasty treat! Fruit covered in chocolate is the best of both worlds. I feel like I am still being healthy, despite having some sugar, because I am eating fruit with it. Of course, Chocolate Covered Blueberries and Chocolate Covered Strawberries are also a definite win in my book as well. You should try them!

How to make easy homemade chocolate covered cherries recipe from scratch?

1. Wash cherries- Then pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Melt- White chocolate in the microwave.
3. Dip cherries- In melted chocolate.
4. Roll cherries- In a bowl of coconut or sprinkles until fully coated.
5. Place- Them on wax paper and let the chocolate harden. Enjoy!

Key ingredients

• Cherries- These should be fresh, ripe, washed, patted dry.
• Melted chocolate- You can use white chocolate, semisweet, milk chocolate or dark chocolate.
• Toppings- This is optional but you can toss sprinkles, finely chopped nuts,

What is the difference between cherry cordials and chocolate covered cherries?

Cherry cordials are cherries that have a softer texture with a more red outer color similar to maraschino cherries. They are enrobed in chocolate with a sweet, red syrup inside. This recipe differs, because we are using fresh cherries with a darker complexion and more of a crisp texture. They also don't have the syrup surrounding them-just yummy chocolate.

How to melt chocolate?

There are two popular methods: double boiler and microwave. I prefer the microwave because it's faster.

Double boiler method

1. Heat a large pot of water to boiling.
2. Place chocolate in a separate, small pot or heat-safe bowl.
3. Place smaller pot over the boiling water so that the edges of the top seal in the steam rising from the bottom pot.
4. Stir chocolate with a spatula gently until it melts fully.

Microwave method

1. Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Place bowl in microwave for 30 seconds.
3. Stir and check consistency.
4. Heat an additional 15 seconds, checking and stirring each time until the chocolate has fully melted.

Variations for white chocolate cherries

Use semi sweet or milk chocolate or dark chocolate- Instead of the white chocolate, if you prefer.

Topping options- The possibilities are endless. Toss finely chopped nuts, sesame seeds, toasted shredded coconut, various sprinkles, mini chocolate curls.

Use double broiler- To melt the chips. This takes a bit longer, but many people swear that it leads to a smoother chocolate consistency that's hard to overcook and burn.

Use maraschino cherries- If you prefer or if that's what you happen to have around the house. Be sure to pat them dry first with lots of paper towels so that the chocolate can adhere and stick properly.

Pit cherries- That makes this treat easier to eat and more child-friendly too. No one wants to bite a pit!

Tips and techniques

Package them in a nice box- So they look just like those fancy boxes of gourmet cherries that you order online and gift them as gifts. Or send them off for school or work lunches. Check out my post on Food and Cookie Packaging Ideas for inspiration.

Pat cherries dry after washing- If you miss this step, the chocolate won't stick as well and it won't look as professional and pretty. You must have a dry surface for the chocolate to stick efficiently.

Don't overcook chocolate- It is easy to leave the chocolate in the microwave for too long. This leads to chunky chocolate that is unusable for dipping and there is no way to salvage. You have to start all over again.

Use ripe and firm cherries- Because you want them to be sweet as well as from enough to hold their shape.

Must use fresh cherries- You cannot use frozen cherries, because they will become soft, wet, and mushy.

Sprinkle toppings before chocolate sets- Because if it the chocolate sets and hardens, nothing will stick to it.

Use high quality chocolate- This creates the best overall flavor. My favorites are Lindt, Ghiradelli, Guittard.

Storage of homemade dipped cherries

Refrigerate- Store in a sealed container for up to 2-3 days.

Freeze- I don't recommend this because as they thaw, the cherries become soggy, mushy and watery and the chocolate falls apart.

Room temperature- Store in a sealed container for 1-2 days.

More "chocolate covered" desserts

• Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers
• Chocolate Covered Oreos (Dipped Oreos)
• Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas
• Chocolate Covered Raspberries
• Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Recipe