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These Cherry Bombs are the sweet treats we whip up each holiday season when we want something deeply chocolaty and a bit fun on our dessert spread. Each mouthful offers a delightful mix of cherry and smooth filling all wrapped in silky chocolate, and I've noticed they vanish quickly at every party.
Every Christmas my children and I crowd into the kitchen rolling dough around juicy cherries while holiday tunes play and giggles bounce off the walls. Seeing their excited faces after tasting their first sweet creation makes all the mess worthwhile.
Round Up Your Ingredients
- All purpose flour: builds the foundation for your dough grab unbleached for fuller flavor
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: adds chocolate intensity try Dutch processed for darker color
- Powdered sugar: creates sweetness with light texture make sure to sift it first
- Butter: room temperature for easy blending real dairy butter tastes best
- Vanilla extract: balances all flavors go for the real stuff not imitation
- Salt: lifts all the other tastes fine table salt works perfectly
- Maraschino cherries: bright and juicy make sure they're well drained and blotted
- Cream cheese: room temperature for the middle filling regular fat content gives best richness
- Powdered sugar (for filling): makes the center just sweet enough
- Almond extract: adds subtle nutty flavor the real extract makes a difference
- Dark chocolate chips: creates the outer shell pick good quality for better melting
- Coconut oil (optional): helps make chocolate coating smooth and shiny
How to Make It
- Mix Your Base:
- Put flour cocoa powder powdered sugar softened butter vanilla extract and salt in a big bowl. Stir everything until you get a soft even dough that sticks together well. If it seems too dry add a tiny bit of milk and keep mixing until it feels soft and workable.
- Form Your Balls:
- Take a spoonful of dough and press it flat in your palm. Set one dried cherry in the middle then fold the dough over it pinching to close and rolling it into a ball making sure the cherry's fully covered.
- Create The Filling:
- In a separate bowl blend softened cream cheese powdered sugar and almond extract until it's smooth and creamy. Give it a taste and add more sweetness if you want stronger flavor.
- Fill Each Ball:
- Press your finger into the top of each dough ball to make a small hollow. Drop in a bit of cream cheese mixture then gently close the dough over so the filling stays inside.
- Cool Them Down:
- Put the stuffed balls on a paper-lined tray and stick them in the fridge for 30 minutes. This helps them stay firm when you dip them in warm chocolate later.
- Prepare Your Coating:
- Put dark chocolate chips in a bowl you can microwave and heat for 15 seconds at a time stirring between until completely melted. Mix in coconut oil if you want your chocolate coating extra smooth and glossy.
- Dip The Balls:
- Take each cold ball and dip it into the melted chocolate letting extra drip off before putting back on the paper. A fork works great for dipping without making a mess.
- Add Some Sparkle:
- While chocolate is still wet sprinkle some colorful toppings or edible shimmer for a festive look. Let them sit undisturbed to set.
- Wait For Hardening:
- Let chocolate fully harden either on the counter or quicker in the fridge for about half an hour.
- Time To Eat:
- Once firm serve your Cherry Bombs on a nice dish or plate. Keep leftovers in a sealed container in your fridge.
Almond extract makes these treats special. Whenever I smell that sweet aroma while stuffing the dough balls I think about my grandma's kitchen at Christmas. That particular scent brings back all my holiday memories in one moment.
Tasty Upgrades
Try switching almond extract with orange or peppermint for a fresh citrus kick or cool winter taste. You can swap cream cheese with mascarpone for a slightly different tang or use milk chocolate instead of dark if you prefer sweeter treats. Gluten free flour blends work just fine and plant-based butter with dairy-free cream cheese substitutes make great vegan versions too.
Ways To Enjoy
These Cherry Bombs look amazing as the star of any dessert table but they're also fantastic with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate after coming in from the cold. Put them on a plate with other small cookies and candies for an impressive spread that guests will talk about. They make wonderful gifts tucked into little boxes with pretty ribbons for friends and neighbors.
Fun Variations
Maraschino cherries go way back to old Italian drinks and classic American diners from the 1950s. These little treats mix traditional holiday flavors with retro charm creating tiny candies that remind us of celebrations from days gone by. I learned to make them from my mother who always filled our house with baking smells in December and now I carry on this family tradition.
My family always grabs a few bombs right from the refrigerator claiming they taste extra good when they're nice and cold.
Common Questions About This Recipe
- → Can Cherry Bombs be made ahead of time?
You bet! Cherry Bombs can be whipped up a couple days before you need them. They actually taste even better after sitting in the fridge for a bit.
- → How should Cherry Bombs be stored?
Pop your Cherry Bombs in a sealed container and keep them in the fridge. They'll stay yummy for up to a week this way.
- → Can you freeze Cherry Bombs?
You can freeze them if needed, but they taste way better when eaten fresh from the fridge within a week after making them.
- → What type of chocolate works best?
Good quality dark chocolate makes the most amazing coating and flavor. If you want them sweeter, you can try milk chocolate instead.
- → Are there alternative fillings for Cherry Bombs?
For sure! Try stuffing them with peanut butter or cookie dough for something different, or add some fun with flavors like peppermint extract.