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Bite into these Cherry Mash Truffles and you'll find a soft, cherry-packed center wrapped in a crunchy chocolate and peanut shell. They hit all those nostalgic spots and are awesome for Christmas or anytime you need a cherry fix.
Tasty Cherry Flashback
Whenever I whip up these truffles, the whole place smells like sweet cherries and instantly takes me back to those old-school Cherry Mash candies. People light up when they realize you nailed that classic taste with each bite. Making those memories at home just feels special.
Stuff You'll Want
- Chopped Peanuts: 1 cup, unsalted and chopped fine for a great crunch on the outside.
- Chocolate Chips: 2 cups, go for milk or semi-sweet to coat your truffles.
- Cherry Flavored Chips: 2 cups, pick a bold-flavored cherry chip for max cherry punch and color.
- Powdered Sugar: 3 cups, sifted so you get that nice smooth inside.
- Milk: 1/2 cup, whole milk at room temp keeps it creamy.
- Cherry Bakery Emulsion: 1 teaspoon, grab a good brand like LorAnn Oils for that extra cherry zing.
Let's Dive In
- Set the Truffles
- Let your truffles chill at room temp or pop them in the fridge 15-20 minutes so the chocolate hardens up.
- Dip the Truffles
- Grab a fork or something similar and dunk every chilled cherry ball right into the chocolate and peanuts mix. Let the extra drip away and put them back on the baking sheet.
- Prepare Chocolate Coating
- Melt the chocolate chips in a new microwave-safe bowl, zapping 30 seconds at a time and stirring in between. Mix in the chopped peanuts once it's smooth.
- Shape and Chill
- Roll your cherry mix into small 1-inch balls, line them up on parchment, and stick them in the fridge till they’re nice and firm, at least 30 minutes.
- Make the Cherry Center
- Start off by melting cherry chips in the microwave, hitting them for 30 seconds, stirring, and repeating till melted. Add the powdered sugar, milk, and cherry emulsion and mix until it comes together kind of like dough.
Making Sweet Traditions
These have totally become a must in my holiday dessert lineup. The pink middle popping out from under the chocolate just looks so pretty. Toss together cherry, peanuts, and chocolate and you’ve got a crazy good combo. Watching people get that old-school Cherry Mash vibe makes it all worth it.
Spread Some Cheer
Giving these truffles as presents? So easy and fun. Pile them in cute tins or boxes with ribbons and they’ll get snapped up fast. They’re a huge hit at cookie swaps or if you’re giving gifts to folks who remember classic Cherry Mash candies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why chill the cherry centers first?
Chilling makes the centers sturdy and keeps them from falling apart or melting when dipped in chocolate. It also helps the chocolate set nicely.
- → What does coconut oil do in this?
Coconut oil makes the chocolate easier to dip by thinning it out and gives the finished coating a smooth finish that doesn't crack.
- → Why keep these in the fridge?
The cherry filling and chocolate shell stay firm and fresh when refrigerated. Leaving them out could make them too soft.
- → Can I swap the cherry emulsion?
LorAnn Cherry Emulsion works best, but you can use other cherry flavorings. Just adjust the amount since strengths vary.
- → Why add powdered sugar slowly?
Adding it bit by bit keeps the mixture smooth and lump-free, and gives you better control of the texture.