Description
Make homemade chocolate covered cherries with a liquid center using maraschino cherries and a simple fondant coating.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 jar (10 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained well
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening or coconut oil (optional, for dipping)
Instructions
- Place the drained maraschino cherries on a plate lined with paper towels. Pat them very dry. This step is important for the fondant to adhere.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Use a candy thermometer and cook until the syrup reaches 238 degrees Fahrenheit (soft-ball stage).
- Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Stir in the vanilla extract. Let the syrup cool slightly for about 5 minutes.
- Dip each dried cherry completely into the warm syrup, ensuring it is fully coated. Use a fork or toothpick to lift it out.
- Place the coated cherries onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow the fondant coating to set completely at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. The syrup will liquefy inside the fondant shell.
- Melt the chocolate chips with the shortening or coconut oil in a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each fondant-covered cherry into the melted chocolate, ensuring full coverage. Use a fork to lift the cherry out, tapping the fork gently on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.
- Return the dipped cherries to the parchment-lined sheet. Let the chocolate set completely at room temperature or briefly in the refrigerator until firm.
Notes
- Drying the cherries thoroughly prevents the fondant from becoming sticky or runny.
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality dark chocolate for the coating.
- Store finished cordials in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Candy Making
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cordial
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 15
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 0