Christmas Drunken Cherries Recipe
Introduction
Christmas Drunken Cherries are a festive treat that combines boozy cherries with a sweet white chocolate coating and colorful sanding sugar. Perfect for holiday parties, these bite-sized delights bring both flavor and fun to your celebration.
Ingredients
- 1 jar red maraschino cherries (with stems)
- 1 jar green maraschino cherries (with stems)
- 2 cups vodka (champagne or bourbon can be used)
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- Red, white, and green sanding sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak the cherries in your chosen alcohol—vodka, bourbon, or champagne—in the refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight.
- Step 2: Remove the cherries from the liquid, drain well, and gently pat dry with a paper towel to ensure no moisture remains.
- Step 3: Place the white chocolate chips in a bowl and microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted.
- Step 4: Dip each cherry about two-thirds of the way into the melted white chocolate, twisting slightly to help the coating stick.
- Step 5: Immediately dip the chocolate-covered portion into red, green, or white sanding sugar, covering about half of the chocolate.
- Step 6: Place the dipped cherries on a parchment-lined tray and chill in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use bourbon or champagne instead of vodka for a different flavor profile.
- Try dark or milk chocolate instead of white chocolate for a richer taste.
- For an extra festive touch, drizzle melted chocolate of a contrasting color over the dipped cherries once chilled.
Storage
Store the Christmas Drunken Cherries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Serve chilled. If they soften, allow them to come to room temperature for a few minutes before enjoying.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Maraschino cherries have a firm texture and sweetness that work well for this recipe. Fresh cherries can be used but may be softer and less sweet, impacting the final result.
How long should I soak the cherries in alcohol?
Soaking for 12 hours or overnight is ideal to allow the cherries to absorb the alcohol fully without becoming overly saturated.
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Christmas Drunken Cherries Recipe
- Total Time: 12 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
Description
Celebrate the holidays with Christmas Drunken Cherries, a festive treat featuring maraschino cherries soaked in your choice of vodka, bourbon, or champagne, then dipped in rich white chocolate and coated with vibrant red, white, and green sanding sugar. These boozy, sweet bites are perfect for holiday parties and easy to prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
Cherries and Alcohol
- 1 jar red maraschino cherries (with stems)
- 1 jar green maraschino cherries (with stems)
- 2 cups vodka, bourbon, or champagne (your choice)
Chocolate Coating and Decoration
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- Red, white, and green sanding sugar
Instructions
- Soak the cherries: Pour your favorite alcohol (vodka, bourbon, or champagne) over the red and green maraschino cherries in a container. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours or overnight to allow the cherries to absorb the alcohol.
- Drain and dry: Remove the cherries from the alcohol and drain any excess liquid. Gently pat each cherry dry with a paper towel, ensuring they are not wet to allow the chocolate to stick properly.
- Melt the chocolate: Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each until fully melted and smooth.
- Dip the cherries: Holding each cherry by the stem, dip about two-thirds of the cherry into the melted white chocolate. Twist slightly while dipping to help the chocolate adhere evenly.
- Coat with sanding sugar: Immediately after dipping the cherry in chocolate, dip it into red, white, or green sanding sugar, coating halfway up the chocolate-covered portion for a festive touch.
- Chill before serving: Place the decorated cherries on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to allow the chocolate to set firmly before serving.
Notes
- Use cherries with stems to make dipping easier.
- You can substitute white chocolate chips with white candy melts for a smoother coating.
- Alcohol soaking time can be adjusted; longer soaking increases the booziness.
- Store in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for best freshness.
- Be gentle when patting the cherries dry to avoid removing the stems.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas cherries, drunken cherries, boozy cherries, holiday dessert, maraschino cherries, white chocolate cherries, festive treat
