Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Decadent and irresistible: The combination of creamy Nutella, juicy maraschino cherries, dark chocolate, and a sprinkle of sea salt offers a delightful mix of sweet and salty flavors.
Perfect for gifting: These chocolate-covered cherries make a wonderful homemade gift for holidays or special occasions.
Simple and quick: With just a few ingredients and minimal preparation time, you can make these treats in no time.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the recipe to suit your preferences, such as doubling the cherries or using different types of chocolate.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

15 oz Nutella
16 maraschino cherries (Collins brand recommended)
8 oz dark chocolate (if using a chocolate bar, cut into small pieces)
¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt

Directions

1. Prepare the cherries:

Drain the maraschino cherries and remove any stems. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate to dry for 2 minutes. Gently pat the tops and sides of the cherries to remove any remaining juice. Make sure the cherries are well dried before proceeding.

2. Prepare the molds:

Add a heaping teaspoon of Nutella into 16 silicone molds. Spread the Nutella slightly around the mold to create a base for the cherries.
Place one cherry into each mold, pressing down slightly to secure it.

3. Cover with Nutella:

Spoon a little more Nutella over the top of each cherry, making sure the Nutella covers the cherry completely. Smooth it out so that it coats the sides as well. You can fill the molds to the top or just under.

4. Freeze the cherries:

Place the molds in the freezer for 1 hour to allow the Nutella to firm up around the cherries.

5. Melt the chocolate:

In a clean, dry bowl, melt the dark chocolate in the microwave. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. This should take about 3-4 increments.

6. Coat the cherries with chocolate:

Once the Nutella-covered cherries have frozen, pop them out of the molds and dip them one at a time into the melted chocolate.
Use a fork or spoon to coat each cherry with chocolate, then lift it out of the bowl. Tap the fork on the side of the bowl multiple times to remove the excess chocolate.
Gently wipe the bottom of the fork along the edge of the bowl to remove any extra chocolate from the bottom.

7. Add sea salt and chill:

Place each chocolate-covered cherry on a parchment-lined sheet tray.
Sprinkle the tops with flaky sea salt for a savory touch.
Refrigerate the cherries for 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.

8. Serve and enjoy:

Once the chocolate has hardened, serve the cherries immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 16 cherries
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Variations

Double the cherries: If you love cherries, you can double stuff each chocolate cover with 2 cherries for an extra burst of flavor.
Different chocolate: You can use milk chocolate or white chocolate instead of dark chocolate for a different flavor profile.
Flavor variations: Add a small drizzle of caramel or flavored extracts (like almond or vanilla) to the Nutella for an extra twist.

Storage

Storage: These chocolate-covered cherries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezing: These cherries also freeze well! Store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Let them thaw in the fridge before serving.

Nutrition (Per Cherry)

Calories: 236 kcal
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 40mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Maraschino cherries work best for this recipe because of their firmness and sweetness. However, you can use fresh cherries, but they may release more juice and make the coating a bit messier. Be sure to dry fresh cherries thoroughly before using.

Can I use a different spread instead of Nutella?

Yes, you can substitute Nutella with other chocolate spreads like Hershey’s Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, or even peanut butter for a different flavor.

How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing up?

Make sure the bowl you use to melt the chocolate is clean and dry. Even a tiny bit of moisture can cause the chocolate to seize. Be sure not to add any liquid to the chocolate as it melts.

Can I prepare these chocolate-covered cherries ahead of time?

Yes, these cherries can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, or they can be frozen for longer storage.

Conclusion

These Chocolate Covered Cherries are the perfect treat for any occasion. With their sweet Nutella filling, rich dark chocolate coating, and a pinch of flaky sea salt, these cherries offer an indulgent balance of sweet and savory flavors. Easy to make, fun to eat, and perfect for gifting, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

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These Chocolate Covered Cherries combine the sweetness of maraschino cherries, creamy Nutella, dark chocolate, and a touch of flaky sea salt. The result is a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for gifting or indulging in a decadent treat.

Author: Amy
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: undefined
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 16 cherries
Category: Dessert
Method: No-bake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

15 oz Nutella

16 maraschino cherries (Collins brand recommended)

8 oz dark chocolate (if using a chocolate bar, cut into small pieces)

¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt

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Instructions

Drain the maraschino cherries, remove stems, and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. Pat them dry to remove excess moisture.
In a silicone mold, add a heaping teaspoon of Nutella into each mold, spreading it slightly to create a base for the cherries. Place one cherry into each mold, pressing slightly to secure it.
Spoon more Nutella over each cherry, ensuring it is fully coated and smooth. Freeze for 1 hour to firm up the Nutella.
In a clean bowl, melt the dark chocolate in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each interval until smooth.
Once Nutella-coated cherries are firm, remove from molds and dip each cherry into the melted chocolate. Use a fork to coat, then tap the fork on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.
Place the chocolate-covered cherries on parchment paper and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the chocolate.
Once set, serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.