Chocolate Covered Cherries

My dad's birthday rolls around the middle of April and since it's so hard to buy anything for him, I usually go with a food gift. I know what he likes and I know what to stay away from. Since he loves chocolate covered cherries, I decided to go with those this year. I modified a recipe I thought looked pretty good and they were so easy! I didn't let mine set long enough to "season", though. In fact, we ate AND ENJOYED THEM right away but I'm pretty sure if you've got the will power to make them and let them sit for a week or so, they'd be even better! These are not difficult to make and they're so pretty!! And much better than what you can buy at the grocery store!

Chocolate Covered Cherries





2 cups powdered sugar (plus extra for kneading)
1/3 cup butter ~ softened
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 12-ounce jar maraschino cherries with stems ~ well drained
2  cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
Paper candy cups

Lay parchment paper or waxed paper onto a large cookie sheet.

In a mixing bowl with the paddle attachment, combine the powdered sugar, butter, milk and almond extract.

Remove from bowl and knead on the counter with extra powdered sugar until smooth and pliable.

Roll into 1-inch balls then flatten into 2-inch circles.

Wrap one circle around each well drained and dried cherry, pressing fondant into place to completely enclose the cherry. Repeat until all cherries are used.

Place cherries onto prepared cookie sheet then place in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Place chocolate chips and shortening in a tall narrow microwave safe container (like a large coffee mug) and heat until smooth and creamy. About 1 - 2 minutes, stirring at 15 second increments.

Holding on to the stems, dip the wrapped cherries into the chocolate, allow to drip then place immediately into candy cups. Set back onto prepared cookie sheet. Repeat with all cherries.

Place in the fridge to set then place in a covered container for up to two weeks.

The longer they sit before eating, the better they are!

Makes about 1 - 1/2 dozen. 
 


 
Our stuff.

 
In a mixing bowl combine the 
powdered sugar, butter, milk 
and almond extract.

 
Mix with a paddle attachment....

 
....then knead until smooth.

 
Roll into balls....

 
...then flatten.

 
Wrap the cherries.

 
Then dip into the melted chocolate.

 
Allow to set up.

 
Look how pretty! Look how pretty yummy!