Homemade Cherry Nut Chocolates: A Festive Holiday Tradition
Experience the magic of the holidays with these exquisite Cherry Nut Chocolates. Each bite features a soft, vibrant cherry fondant center, lovingly enrobed in rich, decadent chocolate, and studded with perfectly chopped pecans. These festive treats are an ideal homemade gift or a luxurious addition to your holiday dessert spread.
This post is proudly created in partnership with Diamond Nuts, a brand synonymous with quality and tradition.
The Sweet Nostalgia of Childhood Christmas
For me, the arrival of Christmas always heralded a very special kind of magic: the scent of homemade chocolates wafting through our home. Our neighborhood, though small, had a vibrant tradition of neighborly gift-giving, and my mom’s specialty was always her incredible homemade chocolates. This wasn’t just any treat; it was an annual ritual, one that, as far as I can recall, she only performed during the holiday season.
The preparation for these coveted confections would begin weeks in advance. My mom would meticulously craft various centers, carefully freezing them to preserve their perfection until dipping day. I have vivid, mischievous memories of sneaking into the garage freezer, hoping to snatch a few of her famous Martha Washington centers before they were transformed into their final chocolate-covered glory. The thrill of getting away with a secret, sweet bite was almost as good as the chocolate itself.
Her repertoire was impressive and always included crowd-pleasers like creamy peanut butter cups and refreshing homemade Andes mints. Some years, we were treated to rich, buttery caramels, or airy, delicate divinity. But of all the delectable options, my heart always belonged to my mom’s dipped chocolates. They were a labor of love, a testament to her dedication, and an undeniable symbol of the holiday spirit.
Among her assortment, one variety stood out as my absolute favorite: her exquisite cherry chocolates. The burst of cherry flavor, perfectly balanced by the sweet fondant and rich chocolate, was simply unparalleled. It’s a flavor that instantly transports me back to those cherished childhood Christmases.
A Family Recipe, Passed Down Through Generations
I must admit, my memory isn’t always perfect, and details sometimes blur with the passage of time. When I recently asked my mom for her beloved cherry chocolate recipe, she revealed that the version she currently uses originally came from a high school friend of my sister. Yet, I distinctly remember her making these delightful treats long before my sister and I were in high school. Perhaps she used a different recipe back then, evolving to this one over time. The exact origin might be a bit fuzzy, but what remains crystal clear is the profound connection this recipe holds to my childhood, to the festive spirit of Christmas, and to the joy of giving. Every year, I vow to uphold my mom’s cherished tradition of gifting homemade chocolates to our neighbors, and I’m determined that one of these years, this sweet promise will truly come to fruition!
Partnering with Tradition: Diamond Nuts
In crafting these special holiday treats, I sought out ingredients that resonate with the spirit of tradition and quality. That’s why I chose to partner with Diamond Nuts. With over 100 years of creating exceptional products, Diamond Nuts embodies the kind of enduring legacy that I associate with cherished family recipes. While my personal family recipe for these cherry chocolates might not yet boast a century of history, the dream is for it to become just that. Imagine my daughter teaching her daughter, who then teaches her own, carrying this sweet tradition forward for generations. Before we know it, this recipe, made with the finest Diamond Nuts, will become a 100-year heritage in its own right!
The Art of Homemade Candy: Tips for Success
I’ll be upfront: these Cherry Nut Chocolates aren’t your typical “quick and easy” recipe. Candy making, particularly with fondant, requires a touch of patience and precision. However, the incredible flavor and the immense satisfaction of creating something so special are absolutely worth every moment. There’s one critical piece of advice I can offer for this recipe, and indeed, for most candy-making endeavors: **invest in a reliable candy thermometer and learn how to use it correctly.**
The Indispensable Candy Thermometer
A functioning candy thermometer is your best friend in the kitchen when making confections. Even if you used it just last week and it seemed accurate, always, always test your thermometer before each use. Calibration is key to preventing batches of overcooked, brittle candy or undercooked, sticky messes. Mel from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe has an excellent and beautifully detailed guide on how to test and calibrate your candy thermometer. Trust me on this – after enduring multiple batches of both overcooked and undercooked candy while testing recipes over the past few months, I’ve become an absolute religious tester! This simple step will save you time, ingredients, and a good deal of frustration.
Mastering the Stirring Process for Perfect Fondant
Once you’ve cooked the center filling to the precise temperature and allowed it to cool slightly in the baking dish, the real work (and magic) begins: the stirring. This isn’t a gentle stir; it’s a commitment! You’ll stir, and stir, and stir some more. This is where having a little helper, like a four-year-old eager to assist in the kitchen, can be a delightful bonus! The initial stirring will feel easy, as the mixture is soft and pliable. But as you continue, you’ll notice a remarkable transformation. The mixture will gradually start to become creamy, thickening and becoming much harder to stir. This is a good sign! You must continue stirring until the mixture completely loses its glossy shine and takes on the consistency of a very thick, creamy frosting. This critical stage, depending on your arm strength and the ambient temperature of your kitchen, can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes.
I’ve certainly had my share of learning experiences. My very first batch, for instance, was totally undercooked. Despite an hour (yes, an hour!) of persistent stirring, the mixture remained stubbornly soft and sticky. Sadly, that batch ended up in the trash. The second time, I believe I *just* overcooked it. Consequently, the mixture lost its shine and became crumbly in probably less than 10 minutes. If this happens to you, don’t despair! Use your hands to gather and roll the mixture into a ball. If it comes together cohesively, you’re usually still in good shape. Some tutorials suggest this crumbly stage is a natural part of the process, while others indicate it shouldn’t happen. My personal rule of thumb is simple: if it rolls into a ball easily, you’re good to go. The key is finding that perfect temperature initially; when you do, the stirring will lead you to that ideal thick, non-shiny, easily rollable consistency. If you’re unsure, keep stirring. The change from glossy liquid to thick, rollable fondant happens quite quickly once it starts, so pay close attention!
The Perfect Pecan Pairing
While my mom’s original recipe traditionally called for chopped peanuts, I decided to make a slight modification for these Cherry Nut Chocolates: I opted for pecans. Why pecans? Simply put, I adore them! Their buttery, slightly sweet flavor and tender texture perfectly complement the sweet cherry fondant and rich chocolate. The result was exactly what I envisioned – a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.
Cherished Holiday Recipes: What Are Yours?
Do you have any special holiday traditional recipes that have been passed down through your family? Those recipes that evoke strong memories and are eagerly anticipated each festive season? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
Cherry Nut Chocolates
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Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cherry oil flavoring
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
- 1 pound dipping chocolate
- 1 8- oz bag 2 cups Diamond Chopped Pecans, finely chopped
Instructions
- In a 4-quart saucepan, combine the sugar, whipping cream, milk, corn syrup, and salt. Stir gently to combine. Cook over medium heat without stirring until the mixture reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Carefully pour the hot mixture into an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish. Do not scrape the saucepan, as this can introduce crystallization. Allow the mixture to cool undisturbed until the bottom of the dish is just barely warm to the touch. Once cooled, add the cherry oil flavoring and red food coloring. Using a sturdy wooden spoon, begin to stir the mixture. It will be easy to stir at first, then gradually transform, becoming creamy and more difficult to stir. Continue stirring until the mixture loses its glossy shine and reaches a thick, frosting-like consistency. This process can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on your environment and stirring intensity.
- Once the fondant has reached the correct consistency, use your hands to roll the mixture into uniform 1-inch balls. Place these fondant balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Lightly press down on the top of each ball with your fingers; this slight flattening will make them much easier to dip in chocolate later.
- Melt the dipping chocolate according to the package directions, ensuring it’s smooth and free of lumps. Stir in the finely chopped Diamond Pecans. Carefully dip each cherry fondant center into the chocolate-nut mixture. I find that using my hands and a fork (to help lift and drain excess chocolate) is the easiest method for a neat coating. Transfer the dipped chocolates to a fresh waxed paper-lined baking sheet and allow the chocolate to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes:
Other Favorite Holiday Candy Recipes:
Chewy Coconut Centers
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Jordan Almonds
Discover More Sweet Treats Around the Web:
Divinityfrom Bell’alimento
Coconut Almond Toffee from Food Babbles
Brown Sugar Fudge from Completely Delicious
**A special thank you to Diamond Nuts for sponsoring this post. Partnerships with quality brands like Diamond Nuts enable me to continue bringing you exciting new recipes and cherished traditions.**