There's something undeniably charming about bite-sized treats that look as cute as they taste, and this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe does just that. With shiny maraschino cherries wrapped in sweet almond-infused dough and dipped in silky milk chocolate, these little mice not only delight your taste buds but also bring a smile to anyone’s face.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I absolutely adore how whimsical and fun this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe is, especially when you bring it out at parties or family gatherings. It’s a fantastic conversation starter and guaranteed to impress without needing complicated steps.
- Easy to make: The process is straightforward, perfect even for baking newbies or kids wanting to help.
- Stunning Presentation: Adorable mouse shapes with chocolate-coated bodies and almond ears that look as great as they taste.
- Delicious Flavor Combo: The sweetness of cherries paired with almond extract and luscious milk chocolate hits all the right notes.
- Great Make-Ahead Treat: These keep well in the fridge, so you can prepare them in advance for any celebration.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe brings something special to the table—whether it’s texture, flavor, or appearance. I always recommend using the freshest cherries and good quality chocolate to get the best result.
- Maraschino cherries with stems: The star of the show! Their sweet-tart punch and the stem as the mouse tail make the design come alive.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich creaminess and helps keep the dough tender without overpowering the other flavors.
- Corn syrup: Creates a smooth, pliable dough and adds just the right touch of sweetness.
- Almond extract: Pairs beautifully with the maraschino cherries and milk chocolate, adding a subtle nutty note.
- Powdered sugar: Gives the dough sweetness and that tender texture once mixed well.
- Milk chocolate melting wafers: Smooth and creamy, these coat the mice perfectly. I prefer Ghirardelli for flavor and consistency.
- Milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses: These form the mice’s heads with a delightful almond crunch.
- Almond slices: Small yet crucial—they become adorable ears that complete each mouse.
- Black decorative icing: For those shiny little eyes that bring the mice to life.
- Red sugar pearls: Tiny noses that add a festive pop of color and charm.
Make It Your Way
I like to play around with the flavor extracts depending on the season—almond is classic, but a splash of vanilla or coconut extract can give it a delightful twist. You can also swap milk chocolate for dark chocolate if you prefer a richer taste.
- Variation: Once, I added a little cinnamon to the dough for a warm holiday feel—it was a hit at my Christmas party!
- Dietary tweak: If you're dairy-free, you can experiment with vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate, just keep an eye on texture.
- Seasonal touch: Using flavored Hershey’s Kisses, like peppermint or caramel, can really elevate the presentation for holidays.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Step 1: Get your workspace and ingredients ready
Start by lining two baking trays with parchment paper—trust me, this makes cleanup much easier later. Drain and thoroughly dry your maraschino cherries; wet cherries will make the dough soggy and hard to handle, so pat them carefully with paper towels.
Step 2: Mix the dough
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, corn syrup, and almond extract together on medium speed until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Then gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, kneading it in until the dough is soft but firm enough to hold shape. If your dough feels sticky, dust with a little extra powdered sugar or pop it in the fridge briefly—it should be pliable without sticking to your hands.
Step 3: Form the mouse bodies
Pinch off about half a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball, then flatten it into a small disc in your palms. Place a maraschino cherry in the center, making sure the stem is sticking out like the mouse tail. Wrap the dough around the cherry carefully, then gently roll it between your hands to smooth the surface without breaking the stem.
Step 4: Chill before coating
Arrange the covered cherries on the lined trays and pop them into the fridge for 2 to 4 hours until firm. This chill step is key—it helps the dough set up so it doesn’t slip off when you dip them in chocolate.
Step 5: Dip and decorate
Gently melt your milk chocolate wafers on low heat (microwaving in short bursts or using a double boiler works great). Holding each cherry by the stem, dip it fully into the chocolate and turn it to coat evenly. Lay it down on its side on the parchment and immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss on the side opposite the tail to form the head. Slip two almond slice ears between the cherry and Kiss before the chocolate sets.
While the chocolate is still soft, add a dab of melted chocolate to the tip of each Kiss and stick on a red sugar pearl nose. Use black decorative icing to dot eyes—this step brings your mice to life. Pop the finished mice back into the fridge until the chocolate hardens completely.
Top Tip
From my experience making this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe, a few small details can make your mice look professional and taste even better.
- Dry Your Cherries Thoroughly: I learned the hard way that moisture makes the dough soggy and slippery. Pat them dry and let them air out for a bit before wrapping.
- Consistent Dough Texture: Keep kneading until the dough feels soft but not sticky—a slight chill helps keep things manageable.
- Chocolate Dipping Technique: Use a fork or small dipping tool if you’re nervous about handling the stem directly—just be gentle!
- Quick Decoration: Work quickly to attach ears and facial features before chocolate sets—for smooth finishes.
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple, but sprinkling a little edible glitter or cinnamon sugar on the tray adds a festive vibe. Sometimes, I toss a handful of extra red sugar pearls around for a sweet sparkle.
Side Dishes
Pairing these mice with a cup of rich hot cocoa or a creamy almond milk latte makes an irresistible treat combo. They also work well alongside other small finger desserts like macarons or mini eclairs.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like displaying the mice on a tiered dessert stand with sprigs of fresh rosemary to mimic grass—so cute! Wrapping each one in a little cellophane bag tied with red ribbon makes a perfect take-home favor, too.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Chocolate Cherry Mice in an airtight container in the fridge, separating layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking. They keep beautifully for up to three weeks—perfect for nibbling little by little.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these successfully by placing them on a tray first to freeze solid, then transferring to freezer bags. When you’re ready, thaw in the fridge overnight to avoid condensation issues.
Reheating
These are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, so I usually don’t heat them up. If you want the chocolate softer, just leave them out for 15-20 minutes before serving—that way textures stay perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Fresh cherries have more moisture, which can make the dough too wet and challenging to work with. If you want to try fresh, make sure they are thoroughly pitted and dried, but maraschino cherries work best for structure and flavor in this recipe.
Milk chocolate melting wafers or high-quality melting wafers are ideal because they melt smoothly and harden with a nice shine. Avoid regular chocolate chips, as they have stabilizers that affect melting, and candy melts often have a waxier texture.
Yes! These mice actually benefit from a few hours of chilling to firm up the dough before dipping and chilling again afterward. You can prepare them a day or two in advance and store them in the fridge up to 3 weeks.
Add a little more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a more workable consistency. If it’s still sticky, chilling it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes can help firm it up for shaping.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe has been one of my favorite festive treats for years, partly because it brings so much joy and laughter to simple dessert time. The process is fun, and the results always make people smile. I hope you’ll enjoy making—and sharing—these charming chocolate cherry mice as much as I do. Don’t forget to leave a review if you give them a try; your feedback means the world and helps keep recipes like this coming your way!
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Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 30 mice
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chocolate Cherry Mice are adorable, bite-sized treats combining maraschino cherries wrapped in a sweet almond-flavored dough and dipped in rich milk chocolate, decorated with Hershey’s Kisses, almond slice ears, and cute tiny details to resemble little mice, perfect for festive occasions and holiday parties.
Ingredients
Dough and Filling
- 20 ounces maraschino cherries with stems, well drained and dried
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
Chocolate Coating and Decorations
- 10 ounce milk chocolate melting wafers
- 30 milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped (for the heads)
- Almond slices (for the ears)
- Black decorative icing (for the eyes)
- Red sugar pearls (for the nose)
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking trays with parchment paper and set aside to work on the dough and assembly.
- Make Dough Base: In a large bowl, combine ¼ cup unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons corn syrup, and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to mix until smooth and fully combined.
- Add Sugar and Form Dough: Gradually add 2 ½ cups sifted powdered sugar into the bowl. Knead the mixture together until a soft dough forms that is pliable and not too sticky.
- Shape Dough Around Cherries: Pinch off approximately ½ tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten these balls in the palms of your hands to form discs.
- Wrap Cherries: Place a maraschino cherry into the center of each disc and wrap the dough around it, keeping the cherry stems exposed. Gently roll each ball in your hands to smooth the dough without breaking stems. Repeat for all cherries and place on prepared baking sheets.
- Chill Dough-Wrapped Cherries: Refrigerate the baking sheets for 2 to 4 hours until the dough becomes firm and easier to handle.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the 10 ounces of milk chocolate melting wafers until smooth. This can be done in the microwave in 30-second increments with stirring, in a double boiler, or using a candy melting pot over low heat.
- Dip Cherries in Chocolate: Holding the cherry gently by the stem, dip each dough-wrapped cherry into the melted chocolate. Lay each dipped cherry on its side on the baking sheet lined with parchment.
- Attach the Head: Immediately before the chocolate sets, press the bottom of a milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kiss onto the opposite side of the stem to form the head.
- Add the Ears: Place two almond slices between the cherry body and Kiss head to create the ears. Repeat this process for all cherries.
- Decorate Faces: Use a toothpick or skewer to dab a small drop of melted chocolate onto the tip of each Kiss. Stick a red sugar pearl onto this spot for the nose and hold until set.
- Apply Eyes: Use black decorative icing to dot two eyes onto each Kiss head, completing the mouse’s face.
- Final Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the completed Chocolate Cherry Mice until ready to serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Use premium quality Ghirardelli melting wafers or similar chocolate for the best taste and texture; avoid candy melts for this recipe.
- Dough consistency is key—if too sticky, add more powdered sugar or chill briefly for easier handling.
- Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring between each to avoid burning.
- A double boiler or candy melter keeps melted chocolate smooth and ideal for dipping.
- You can substitute different Hershey’s Kiss flavors, ensuring the head chocolate matches the body chocolate.
- Alternative eye decorations include candy eyeballs, chocolate drops, or simply black icing.
- Almond extract complements the almond Kisses well, but vanilla or coconut extract can be used as flavorful alternatives.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to three weeks to maintain freshness.
- For best results, allow proper chilling time so dough sets firmly before dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mouse
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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