There’s a moment every December when my kitchen stops smelling like pine and cinnamon and transforms into something even more magical: like a chocolatier’s workshop. It happened last year when I was determined to create a new, simple holiday candy that felt special. I wanted the sweet-tart punch of cherries and the deep comfort of chocolate, all in one blissful bite. What I stumbled onto was this Homemade Cherry Chocolate Candy, and friends, it was a revelation. The rich, glossy chocolate hugging those bright, boozy-sweet cherry pieces isn’t just a treat; it’s a little piece of holiday joy you can make with your own two hands. Let me show you how I make it.
Ingredients
- 1 cup maraschino cherries (drained & chopped)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
Now, let’s talk about these simple ingredients, because the quality here truly makes your candy sing. For the maraschino cherries, please drain them incredibly well—I even pat them dry gently with a paper towel. Any extra liquid is the enemy of smooth, snappy chocolate. I’ve tried this with both the standard jarred cherries and the luxe Luxardo variety, and while both work, the Luxardo cherries have a more complex, adult flavor that’s spectacular. For the chocolate, I use a good brand of chocolate chips for convenience, but if you want to go the extra mile, a bar of high-quality baking chocolate, chopped, will give you an even more professional temper and shine. Don’t skip the white chocolate; it’s not just for looks. That creamy sweetness perfectly balances the semi-sweet and the cherry, creating a more rounded flavor profile.
Equipment Needed
- Small heatproof bowls (2)
- Double boiler or a saucepan with a heatproof glass bowl
- Silicone spatula or spoon
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
- Teaspoon or small cookie scoop
- Fork
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