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Irresistible Holiday Chocolate Cherry Treats
These cherry chocolates always take me back to those special chocolate-wrapped cherries during Christmas time. They come out incredibly moist and rich with a beautiful maraschino cherry sitting right on top. I adore adding that thick chocolate ganache drizzle - it gives them a fancy look but they're really quite simple to whip up. Whenever I take them to gatherings, everyone thinks I've been slaving away, but between us, they're super quick to put together.
What You'll Need
- Sugar Cookie Mix: 1 bag 17.25 ounces which saves tons of time
- Cocoa Powder: ⅓ cup grab premium quality for better flavor
- Unsalted Butter: ¼ cup needs to be completely softened
- Cream Cheese: 4 ounces at room temperature for extra creaminess
- Egg: 1 large cold from refrigerator works fine
- Heavy Cream: ¼ cup creates that dreamy ganache topping
- Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips: ½ cup the tastiest component
- Maraschino Cherries: 26 select the most vibrant ones
Baking Instructions
- Prep Your Baking Space
- I start by warming my oven to 350°F and covering my baking tray with parchment paper to avoid any sticking issues
- Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl I stir together the cookie mix and cocoa powder with a fork it's basic but crucial for that deep chocolate taste
- Blend Wet Ingredients
- In my larger mixing bowl I combine the softened butter cream cheese and egg until it's nice and smooth usually about 2 minutes with an electric mixer
- Create Your Dough
- The exciting part comes when I gradually mix the dry stuff into the wet ingredients. I go gentle with my mixer and sometimes finish with a rubber spatula
- Start Baking
- Using my trusty cookie scoop I form uniform balls around 2 tablespoons each then bake for 10 to 12 minutes
- Prepare Chocolate Drizzle
- During baking I heat the cream for 30 seconds in the microwave add in the chocolate chips and stir until smooth then transfer to a plastic bag for easy drizzling
- Finish With Cherries
- As soon as they're out I press small indentations with a spoon place those gorgeous cherries and add that chocolate drizzle magic
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Secret Baking Tricks
After dozens of batches I've picked up some handy tricks. Always put parchment under your wire rack when drizzling chocolate it makes cleanup so much easier. My cookie scoop is essential for uniform cookies. I sometimes swap in white chocolate drizzle especially during the holidays it looks stunning. If your mixture gets too firm don't stress just knead in the final bits by hand.
Perfect Pairings
These treats taste amazing with a big glass of cold milk or your afternoon cup of joe. They stand out beautifully on Christmas cookie plates I usually arrange them next to my snowball cookies and green wreaths. They make wonderful gifts too I stack them in decorative boxes with paper separating each layer.
Storage Tips
You can keep these goodies fresh in a sealed container for several days. I recommend placing wax paper between each row so the chocolate stays intact. Room temperature works fine or try the fridge. They taste fantastic chilled too. Try to finish them within 2-3 days though that's never been hard in my home.
Questions People Ask Me
- Is it okay to use homemade cookie dough? For sure you can swap in your go-to sugar cookie recipe
- Can I freeze these treats? The chocolate topping doesn't thaw well so I'd make a fresh batch instead
- What's your scoop size? I rely on a 2 tablespoon scoop gives perfect results every time
- Are other cherry types okay? Maraschinos work best but you can try alternatives if you want
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap maraschino cherries with frozen ones?
It's better to stick with maraschino cherries. Frozen ones might add unwanted moisture and affect the cookie texture.
- → Why make the indentation on warm cookies?
Warm cookies are easier to shape without cracking. If they cool, the dough hardens and might split when pressed.
- → Can the chocolate drizzle be made earlier?
Sure! Reheat it slowly before use. If it hardens too much, mix in a little cream to thin it out.
- → How do I store these cookies?
Keep them at room temperature for up to four days in a sealed container. Use parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking.
- → Is freezing these cookies possible?
You can freeze the bare cookies (no topping) for up to three months. Add cherries and drizzle after defrosting for best taste and texture.