Homemade Cherry Cordials

These Homemade Cherry Cordials combine the flavors of sweet chocolate and tart cherry with a buttery fondant that makes them so much butter than any store bought version. 

Homemade candies like these Cherry Cordials are always part of the holiday season for my family. I love to add homemade candies like these cordials or Chocolate Peanut Butter Haystacks, Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Rods and one of my personal favorites Salted Peanut Roll Bars to a holiday tin with a gift card attached. I think adding some homemade goodness gives a gift card a more personal touch. 

What is a cherry cordial?

A cherry cordial is traditionally a candy with a  liquid center inside a chocolate shell sometimes with a cake like center. Because the liquid for these candies is usually a type of alcohol they were called cordials. This version doesn’t have any liquor so they are family friendly. 

Can I use jarred cherries to make these?

Yes! I used fresh cherries but jarred Maraschino cherries or even store bought brandied cherries (if you want to give these candy a boozy kick) work just fine with this recipe. 

What kind of chocolate can I use to make this candy?

I used semi-sweet chocolate and milk chocolate but you can easily exchange these flavors for dark chocolate or even almond bark. 

How to make cherry cordials:

Ingredients: 

•  cherries
•  confectioners sugar 
•  butter 
•  almond extract 
• semi- chocolate chips 
• Hershey’s candy bar

Directions: 

1. Wash and pit 18 fresh cherries or rinse 18 jarred cherries then pat dry with paper towel and set aside
2. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer combine together confectioners sugar, butter, milk almond extract until it forms a round smooth round ball. The ball should have the consistency of play-doh.

3. Pinch off a piece of dough about the size of a cherry and roll it into a ball, ,then flatten out the dough. Place a cherry in the center and then form the dough around it until the cherry it completely covered. 
4. When all the cherries are covered in the dough place them in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill 

5. While the cherries are chilling melt the chocolate chips and Hershey bar in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds then stir. Continue melting the chocolate in 20 second increments stirring between each increment until completely melted.

6. Dip the cherries into the melted chocolate, using a spoon to roll and coat them until completely covered in chocolate.

7. Place the chocolate coated cherries on wax paper or parchment paper and allow the chocolate to harden completely before moving them. 

My tips for this recipe: 

• If the dough feels too sticky add powdered sugar until it feels like the desired consistency. If the dough feels too dry add a drop of milk a little at time until it reaches a pliable consistency. 

• If the dough feels too dry add a drop of milk a little at time until it reaches a pliable consistency.
• Making these during the holidays? Add some fun sprinkles on top of the chocolate before it hardens to give these a more festive feel. 
• Wrap some of these up in wax paper or parchment paper and give them to a friend or loved one. These candies are perfect for gifting at Christmas or Valentine’s day. 

I made a batch of these last year at Christmas as a hostess gift and they disappeared really fast. It’s hard to go wrong with a classic homemade candy. 

Happy Cooking Y’all!

Susanne 

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Homemade Cherry Cordials

These Homemade Cherry Cordials combine the flavor of sweet chocolate and tart cherry with a buttery fondant that makes the so much butter than any store bought version.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Cherry Cordial, Chocolate Covered Cherry, Christmas Candy, Homemade Cherry Coridal

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Harding 20 minutes

Servings 18 candies

Calories 187 kcal

Susanne Susanne

Ingredients

• 18 fresh cherries washed and pitted or 18 jarred Maraschino cherries
• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 12 oz bag chocolate chips
• 1 whole Hershey candy bar
• 1 teaspoon Crisco shortening

Instructions

1. Wash and pit 18 fresh cherries or rinse 18 jarred cherries then pat dry with paper towel and set aside
2. Mix together confectioners sugar, butter, milk almond extract until it forms a round smooth round ball. The ball should have the consistency of play-doh. If the dough feels too sticky add powdered sugar until it feels like the desired consistency. If the dough feels too dry add a drop of milk a little at time until it reaches a pliable consistency.
3. Pinch off a piece of dough about the size of a cherry and roll it into a ball, ,then flatten out the dough. Place a cherry in the center and then form the dough around it until the cherry it completely covered.
4. When all the cherries are covered in the dough place them in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill
5. While the cherries are chilling melt the chocolate chips and Hershey bar in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds then stir. Continue melting the chocolate in 20 second increments stirring between each* increment until completely melted.**
6. Dip the cherries into the melted chocolate, using a spoon to roll and coat them until completely covered in chocolate.
7. Place the chocolate coated cherries on wax paper or parchment paper and allow the chocolate to harden completely before moving them.
8. Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Recipe Notes

*be sure to stir the chocolate often so that it does not burn
**if the chocolate is too thin to coat the cherries add one tablespoon of crisco and stir to combine

Nutritional information is estimated. Information will vary based on ingredient choices and serving sizes. 

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Cherry Cordials

Amount Per Serving (1 candy)

Calories 187 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 6mg2%

Sodium 19mg1%

Potassium 128mg4%

Carbohydrates 25g8%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 21g23%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 74IU1%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 14mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.