Chocolate Covered Cherries (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 jar maraschino cherries with stems (16 ounces or about 25 cherries, with the juice reserved)
02 - 4 cups powdered sugar (390-520 grams, divided)
03 - 4 tablespoons salted butter, softened
04 - 16 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (or a mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate)

→ Optional Decorations

05 - Red candy melting wafers for drizzling

# Instructions:

01 - Drain the maraschino cherries, reserving at least 1/4 cup of the juice. Place the cherries on paper towels to absorb excess juice, then gently dab them dry. The cherries need to be completely dry so they hold together well during dipping.
02 - In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to combine 3 cups of powdered sugar, the softened butter, and 1/4 cup of the reserved cherry juice. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
03 - Gradually add the remaining cup of powdered sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, until the mixture forms a soft, pliable dough that can be shaped. You may not need all of the remaining sugar. Refrigerate this sugar mixture for 20 minutes to firm it up.
04 - Dust your hands with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Pinch off enough fondant to form a 1 1/2-inch ball, then flatten it between your palms. Place a dried cherry in the center and carefully fold the fondant around it, completely enclosing the cherry. Roll between your palms to create a smooth ball.
05 - Place the fondant-covered cherries on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up before dipping.
06 - While the cherries are chilling, melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring well between each interval. Melt it slowly and carefully to prevent the chocolate from burning or seizing.
07 - Holding each cherry by its stem, dip it into the melted chocolate, ensuring complete coverage. Allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place the dipped cherries on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper.
08 - If desired, melt red candy wafers according to package instructions and drizzle over the chocolate-covered cherries for decoration. This can also help hide any imperfections in the chocolate coating.
09 - Allow the chocolate to set completely at room temperature. Once set, store the chocolate covered cherries in an airtight container at room temperature.

# Notes:

01 - This traditional Amish recipe creates decadent chocolate covered cherries with a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth fondant surrounding each cherry.
02 - For stemless cherries, use a fork to dip them in chocolate. If chocolate becomes too thick for dipping, add a tablespoon of shortening or coconut oil to thin it.

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