Name: Best Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 85 min
Ingredients: 15 oz Nutella; 16 maraschino cherries (I like Collins brand); 8 oz dark chocolate (if using chocolate bar cut into small pieces); ¼ tsp flaky sea salt

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This Chocolate Covered Cherries recipe is the absolute BEST! It’s a sweet maraschino cherry, covered in Nutella then dipped in a rich dark chocolate!

Yes, that’s right, Nutella instead of the traditional liquid center. That means no corn syrup or artificial flavorings!

a pile of chocolate covered cherries on a plate with a bite taken out of one so you can see the Nutella and cherry in the center. A white bowl with fresh cherries behind the plate.

I top mine with flaky sea salt because I’m obsessed with salt on my chocolate. Really salty sweets in general.

It’s the perfect combination.

I always loved chocolate covered cherries growing up, they were a special treat. Usually I only ate them at my grandparents house because my mom hated them, haha.

I always knew them as cordial cherries or Queen Anne cherries. This homemade version is a step up from that in my opinion.

And they are SO EASY! They only use a few ingredients.

If you love Nutella then you will also love my Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies and Easy PB2 Peanut Butter Cookies!

Why you’ll love this recipe

It’s such an easy recipe! You won’t believe how simple it is your first time making them.
They’re stuffed with Nutella...need I say more?!
These cherries are very decadent and rich! They’ll definitely cure your sweet tooth, that’s for sure.
This is such a great recipe for holidays, parties and table gifts. You won’t believe how quick and easy they are.
It’s a recipe the whole family will love, my husband is obsessed with them!
They are the best chocolate covered cherries!

A couple white plates with chocolate covered cherries, a box of Maldon's sea salt, a sheet pan with a bowl of chocolate, one bowl of fresh cherries and a bowl of maraschino cherries.

Ingredients needed

Maraschino Cherries – I like using maraschino cherries because of the nostalgia behind it. There are many maraschino cherry brands, I like to use Collins because the cherries are a little larger. You could use frozen cherries if you prefer or a fresh Bing cherry but you would have to pit it.
Nutella – Nutella is a hazelnut chocolate spread found in most local grocery stores.
Dark Chocolate – I would recommend using a high quality chocolate. Something that contains cocoa butter. The chocolate will just set nicer if you do. You can melt chocolate bars or chocolate chips but if you’re using chocolate chips, make sure it’s a better quality chocolate.
Flaky Sea Salt – Per usual, I like to top my chocolate in flaky sea salt. Not a necessity but highly recommended!

Nutella, maraschino cherries, flaky sea salt and dark chocolate in a bowl.

Equipment needed

Silicone Molds – Also called a truffle mold or chocolate mold. These work perfectly for this Chocolate Covered Cherry recipe! Make sure to use the correct size. These are the molds I used.
Measuring Spoons – I use a teaspoon to get the Nutella into the molds.
Bowl or Double Boiler – You can melt the chocolate in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl or you can melt it on the stove using a double boiler. A double boiler consists of a sauce pan with a small amount of water in it that is simmering or slightly cooler than a simmer and a metal or glass bowl that is larger than the pan, set over the top.
Fork – I use a fork to coat the cherries with the melted chocolate. I find that the easiest, it helps drain the chocolate off the bottom as well.
Sheet Tray – Use a parchment lined sheet tray to set the chocolate covered cherries on after coating them with chocolate. A sheet tray is essentially the same thing as a baking sheet or cookie sheet.
Parchment Paper – I prefer parchment paper but you can use wax paper as well to line your sheet tray.
Paper Towels – Make sure you have a few paper towels to dry your cherries off with.

Tips for the Best Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe

Drain the cherries well then dry them. I let them drain for a few minutes then set them on a paper towel lined plate. Gently press paper towels over the tops and sides of the cherries as well. No need to smash them.
After you take the Nutella molds out of the freezer, work quickly. If you feel like you are going at a slower pace then just leave them in the freezer and take them out a few at a time.
Double stuff them with 2 cherries if you love cherries!
The best way to coat these dark chocolate cherries with the melted chocolate is to use a fork. It makes it easy to lift them out of the bowl.
Tap the fork on the side of the bowl multiple times when lifting the cherries out. That will help get the excess chocolate off. Then slide the bottom of the fork on the edge of the bowl before setting the chocolate covered cherries on the parchment lined sheet tray.
Use whichever brand of dark chocolate you like. You can also use a different chocolate, semi sweet, etc.
Let the Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries set in the fridge for 30 minutes after coating them.
If you plan to take these to a party then put them in a cooler with a cold pack to help them not melt on the way there.
The chocolate will set at room temperature but it goes faster if you refrigerate them after coating them.
MAKE SURE THE BOWL IS CLEAN AND DRY BEFORE MELTING THE DARK CHOCOLATE. Any little speck of water will make the chocolate seize up.
These are great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and even summer gatherings. There’s really not a bad time for them!

A stack of finished cherries topped with flaky sea salt and freeze dried raspberries. A white bowl with fresh cherries behind the plate.

How to make the Best Chocolate Covered Cherries

This Chocolate Covered Cherries recipe makes a great gift! It’s the best, most decadent treat. Perfect for many occasions and easy to make.

Prepping the cherries

First drain the cherries, remove any stems then set the drained cherries on a paper towel lined plate. Allow them to dry for 2 minutes.

Using new paper towels, gently press down over the tops and sides of the cherries to soak up any extra juice. You DO NOT need to press hard. Do not smash the cherries.

Making the molds

Then spoon a little over a teaspoon of Nutella into each silicone truffle mold. Add a cherry to each and press down lightly.

Spoon a little more Nutella over the tops of the cherries. You can fill it to the top of the mold or slightly under.

Freeze the molds for 1 hour. They do not need to be wrapped.

Nutella inside the silicone mold with a cherry. A bowl of maraschino cherries sitting next to the molds.

Melt the chocolate & coat cherries

Once the Nutella covered cherries have been in the freezer for 1 hour then melt the dark chocolate for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave. MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING A CLEAN DRY BOWL.

Any little speck of water in the bowl can make the chocolate seize up. Stir the chocolate well with a dry metal spoon between each addition.

It should only take 3-4 increments.

Melted chocolate in a bowl. Melted chocolate dripping off a spoon into the bowl.

Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, remove the cherries from the freezer. Pop them out of their molds, place the cherries in the melted chocolate one at a time.

Coat them in chocolate using a fork (use a spoon to spoon the chocolate over the top if you’re having a hard time) then remove the chocolate covered cherry with the fork.

Let the excess chocolate drain off the cherry by tapping the fork on the side of the bowl so that the extra chocolate falls off into the bowl.

Drag the bottom of the fork along the edge of the bowl when removing the cherry to get the rest of the chocolate off the bottom.

Place the coated cherries on a parchment lined sheet tray. Once all the cherries are on the tray, sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes then enjoy!

A view into the center of the chocolate so you can see the Nutella and cherry.

More recipes that include chocolate

Additional toppings for the cherries

Powdered Sugar
Freeze Dried Cherries, Raspberries or Strawberries
Edible Flowers
Drizzle of White, Dark or Semi Sweet Chocolate

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FAQ

How to store chocolate covered cherries

Chocolate covered cherries are best kept in an airtight container. They can be stored on the counter for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 7 days.

I prefer to keep mine in the fridge because I like to eat them cold. They can be stored in a Ziplock bag as well if you don’t have a Tupperware container.

Can chocolate covered cherries be frozen?

Yes, absolutely! They can be stored in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag for up to 2 months in the freezer.

They can be eaten straight out of the freezer or you can bring them to a warmer temp by thawing them in the fridge overnight.

If you set them straight out on the counter after the fridge it’s likely to form condensation on the outside from the rapid temperature change.

I actually enjoy eating them frozen or chilled best.

What are chocolate covered cherries called?

Well, they can be called just that or sometimes they are known as cherry cordials. This particular recipe is slightly different than the traditional cherry cordial recipe.

The traditional cherry cordial recipe calls for cherries, sweet fondant and dark chocolate. I have replaced the sweet fondant with Nutella.

Where should I buy chocolate covered cherries?

Chocolate covered cherries are sold at most local grocery stores. Walmart for example carries them.

You can also find them on Amazon but no need to buy them anymore since you now know how simple it is to make them yourself!

Next time you’re craving a chocolate covered cherry, give this recipe a try! It’s delicious, decadent and easy!