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These Cherry Truffle Bites are an amazing take on the classic Cherry Mash candy with their soft cherry middle wrapped in a nutty chocolate shell. They're a tasty snack that stirs up fond memories and works great for holiday gatherings or whenever you want something sweet with cherry flavor.
Nostalgic Cherry Delights
When I whip up these treats, my whole kitchen smells like fresh cherries, taking me back to the Cherry Mash candies from my younger days. There's something wonderful about making these childhood favorites at home and seeing the joy on folks' faces when they taste them and can't believe how close they are to the real thing.
What You'll Need
- Cherry Flavored Chips: 2 cups of top-notch cherry chips for bold taste and color.
- Powdered Sugar: 3 cups, sifted for a lump-free mix.
- Milk: 1/2 cup of whole milk at room temp for extra richness.
- Cherry Bakery Emulsion: 1 teaspoon to boost cherry flavor; brands like LorAnn Oils work great.
- Chocolate Chips: 2 cups of semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips for dipping.
- Chopped Peanuts: 1 cup of finely diced, unsalted peanuts for the outer coating.
Let's Make Them Together
- Make the Cherry Center
- Put 2 cups of cherry chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt them with 30-second bursts, giving a good stir between each, until they're smooth. Mix in 3 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 cup of milk, and 1 teaspoon of cherry bakery emulsion until you get a soft dough.
- Shape and Chill
- Form the cherry mix into 1-inch balls and set them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare Chocolate Coating
- Take another microwave-safe bowl and melt 2 cups of chocolate chips using 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until totally smooth. Add 1 cup of chopped peanuts and mix well.
- Dip the Truffles
- With a fork or dipping tool, dunk each cold cherry ball into the chocolate peanut mix, letting extra drip off. Put them back on the parchment-lined sheet.
- Set the Truffles
- Leave the coated treats at room temp or chill them for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate hardens completely.
Making Sweet Memories
These treats have become a must-have for my holiday lineup. The pretty pink centers show through the chocolate shell making them look so fancy, and that mix of cherry, chocolate and peanuts just can't be beat. I love watching people's eyes light up when they recognize that signature Cherry Mash taste.
Spread the Happiness
What I really love about these treats is how nice they look when packed up as gifts. I enjoy putting them in cute holiday boxes or old-school tins with bright ribbons. They always vanish fast at cookie swaps and make such meaningful homemade presents, especially for anyone who grew up loving the original Cherry Mash candy.
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Common Questions
- → Why should you chill the centers first?
Chilling makes the cherry filling firm enough to dip properly in chocolate. It also keeps them from falling apart during coating.
- → What’s the role of coconut oil in this?
Coconut oil makes the melted chocolate smoother and easier to work with. It also helps it set better without cracking.
- → Why refrigerate instead of leaving at room temp?
Cool storage keeps both the center and chocolate shell firm. Warmer areas may make the treats too soft or melty.
- → Do I have to use that cherry flavoring?
If you don’t have LorAnn Cherry Emulsion, regular cherry flavoring works fine. Adjust the amount carefully since strengths vary.
- → Why not toss all the powdered sugar at once?
Adding it gradually avoids lumps and makes mixing smoother. You also get better control over the texture this way.