Chocolate covered cherries recipe liquid center bring in the drama. The juicy cherry center, the liquid around it, all held in by a dark chocolate shell, as if by magic. That liquid center is actually not liquid when it is produced, but turns to liquid as the candy sits over time.
In the confectionery world, cordial cherries can be made several ways, but all producing a very similar finished product. I prefer this method because it is the easiest way to make chocolate covered cherry cordials at home. Also, most of the ingredients and equipment are things that are fairly easy to find or that you already have.
Fresh cherries should not be used because they will not have a long enough shelf life.
Cordial cherries are a classic confection, much like this chocolate covered peanut brittle and salted caramels.
Ingredients for Chocolate covered cherries recipe liquid center
- sugar
- corn syrup
- invertase
- maraschino cherries with the stem on
- chocolate
Equipment for chocolate covered cherry cordials
- 5 quart planetary mixer with paddle attachment
- glass bowl for warming fondant
- bowl for tempering chocolate
- spatula
How to make chocolate covered cherries with liquid center
- Make your fondant at least one day prior to starting the dipping cherry process.
- Prep the cherries by draining and drying them.
- Warm your fondant over a water bath, or in a microwave, keeping it liquid while dipping cherries
- Dip the cherries in the fondant. Allow them to set up - set up time is 2 to 3 minutes.
- Dip the cherries in tempered chocolate, making sure to get a thick enough coating over the fondant as well as dipping up to the stem. A thick coating is necessary because it keeps the fondant from leaking out after it has liquified.
My top tips for the chocolate covered cherries with liquid center
Purchase maraschino cherries with the stem on so that you can hand dip using the stem. Look for cherries that are good quality without large pieces floating around in the container.
The size of the cherry matters, and the bigger isn't better. You'll be dipping these twice, once in fondant and once in chocolate, creating layers that will increase the size of the finished cherry.
Drain the cherries for several hours prior to dipping them so they dry out and are easier to work with. I do this by placing a wire rack overtop of paper towels. You can see this below in the video. Don't throw all of your cherry juice away though, because if you over estimate how many you are willing to dip you'll need to store the cherries back in the juice.
Timing is important here. After you dip the cherries in the fondant mix, you have to dip them in chocolate. You cannot do this in multiple days, so make sure you set aside enough time to complete them. Having a helper for these is also useful because one person can dip the cherries in fondant and the other person can then dip them in the chocolate.
Storage and shelf life
These cherries should be stored in an airtight container at normal room temperature. They have a shelf life of 3 to four months.
Video instructions for chocolate covered cherries recipe liquid center
Homemade Chocolate Covered Cordial Cherries
Equipment
- stand mixer with paddle
- microwave or water bath for fondant
Ingredients
- 500 grams sugar
- 100 grams corn syrup
- 50 grams water
- ½ teaspoon invertase
- 28 ounces candied cherries, stem on about 2 jars
- 1 lb chocolate, tempered
Instructions
Confectionery Fondant
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water
- Bring to a boil, stop stirring.
- Cook to 243F.
- Turn off heat. Pour sugar solution in mixing bowl. Cool to 200F.
- Using a paddle attachment, turn mixer on medium.
- Agitate until a thick white ribbon of sugar forms.
- Pour into parchment paper and store in an airtight container overnight.
Dipping Cherries
- Heat fondant over a water bath until thin and fluid.
- Add invertase, mix.
- Holding cherries by their stem, dip into hot fondant. Place on parchment paper.
- After cherries have set, dip into tempered chocolate.
- Store at room temperature in airtight container. Sugar will begin to liquify after 24 hours.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!