Description
These no-bake chocolate cherry balls are rich and elegant treats made with ganache, tart cherries, and a smooth chocolate coating. Perfect for holidays, gifting, or a sweet bite from the fridge.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted sour cherries
- ½ cup cherry juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup soaked cherries, finely chopped and well-drained
- 12 oz dark chocolate or chocolate melting wafers
- Optional: Crushed freeze-dried cherries
- Optional: Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Combine pitted sour cherries, cherry juice, and brown sugar in a bowl or jar. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Drain the soaked cherries, chop finely, and pat very dry with paper towels.
- To make the ganache, place chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
- Heat the heavy cream until steaming, then pour it over the chocolate. Let sit briefly, then stir until smooth.
- Add the butter and stir until the ganache becomes glossy.
- Let the ganache cool slightly, then fold in the chopped, dried cherries.
- Cover the ganache and refrigerate until firm enough to scoop, about 1 hour.
- Scoop into portions on a parchment-lined tray and chill for another 20 minutes.
- Roll each portion into a ball. If they soften, return them to the fridge briefly.
- Melt the dark chocolate until smooth.
- Dip each chilled ball into the melted chocolate, let excess drip off, and place on tray.
- While the coating is still wet, garnish with freeze-dried cherries or flaky sea salt if using.
- Let the chocolate coating set completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Make sure cherries are thoroughly dried to avoid soft ganache.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized balls.
- Let balls sit at room temperature before serving for a softer center.
- Freeze for longer storage; thaw in fridge overnight.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
