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Cherry Mash Truffles come with a gooey cherry center wrapped in a chocolatey peanut shell. They're like a throwback to those old-school candies you can't stop snacking on. I love munching on these any time, but they're especially awesome during the holidays or whenever you're craving something sweet and cherry-packed.
Tasty Cherry Nostalgia
Whenever these are in the works, the whole house smells like a cherry paradise. It instantly takes me back to my favorite old candies from years ago. Pulling these together at home is special, and friends light up when they realize just how spot-on the taste really is.
Stuff You'll Use
- Chopped Peanuts: 1 cup of peanuts, make sure they're unsalted and chopped fine for that perfect finish.
- Chocolate Chips: 2 cups, go with semi-sweet or milk chocolate to coat them.
- Cherry Flavored Chips: 2 cups, and splurge on the good kind for the best color and flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: 3 cups and sift it so you'll get silky smoothness.
- Milk: 1/2 cup, just use good ol' whole milk and let it warm up to room temp.
- Cherry Bakery Emulsion: 1 teaspoon, something strong like LorAnn Oils will really bump up the cherry taste.
Let's Whip Them Up
- Let Them Set
- Just leave the dipped candies out for 15 to 20 minutes or stick 'em in the fridge till the chocolate doesn't stick to your finger anymore.
- Coat the Balls
- Grab each cold cherry ball with a fork, drop it in your chocolate peanut mix, and let any extra drip away before putting it back on the sheet.
- Make Your Centers
- Pop 2 cups of cherry chips in a safe bowl for the microwave, melt it in 30-second bursts, stirring each time. Dump in the powdered sugar, milk, and cherry emulsion, then mix it all into a soft dough.
- Shape and Cool Down
- Roll that cherry dough into little balls (about an inch across) and line 'em up on a sheet with parchment. Chill the balls in your fridge for at least half an hour till they're nice and firm.
- Melt Your Chocolate & Nuts
- Take another microwave bowl, melt the chocolate chips in quick rounds with stirs in between. Mix those chopped peanuts right in so it all comes together.
Making Tasty Traditions
Whipping up these little treats has turned into a holiday must-do in my house. That bright, poppin' pink in the middle against the chocolate just looks amazing. You can't go wrong with cherry, chocolate, and a peanut crunch all together, and everyone gets a nostalgic kick when they taste that familiar combo.
Give the Goodies
Packing up these truffles always feels so special. I like to line them up in old-school tins or cute gift boxes and throw on some ribbon for extra cheer. People really love these at cookie swaps, and they're just a super thoughtful gift for anyone who remembers that classic candy with a smile.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why chill the cherry centers first?
Chilling keeps the centers firm, making them easier to dip in chocolate. It also helps the coating set evenly and stay intact.
- → Why is coconut oil added to the chocolate?
Coconut oil makes the chocolate smoother and easier to work with. It creates a perfect coating without becoming too crunchy.
- → How does refrigeration help these treats?
It keeps the centers firm and the chocolate coating intact. Leaving them out may cause the bites to soften too much.
- → Can I swap out the cherry emulsion?
Yes, you can use other cherry flavorings, but make sure to adjust the amount. Different brands may have varying potency.
- → Why add powdered sugar gradually?
Gradual mixing stops lumps from forming and helps ensure the perfect consistency. It gives you better control over the texture.