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.

A white round plate holds ten small chocolate mice arranged close together. Each mouse has two layers: a larger smooth chocolate ball for the body and a smaller chocolate ball for the head, attached in front. Two almond slices are placed on the top of the head as ears, showing their light beige color and slightly rough texture. Tiny black dots form the eyes on the front of the head, and a small red candy forms the nose at the tip of the head. A thin red string sticks out the back side of each mouse, acting as the tail. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with scattered candy and wrapping in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe

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.

A round white plate holds thirteen small treats shaped like mice, each treat has two round milk chocolate balls stacked as the body and head, with a red cherry stem sticking out from the back as the tail. The head has two small light almond slices for ears and two tiny black dots for eyes, with a small red dot on the tip for the nose. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with pinecones and green leaves around the plate, along with some golden foil-wrapped chocolates and bowls with red candy spheres visible at the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of fresh maraschino cherries with stems, a small glob of softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden corn syrup, a small white ceramic bowl holding clear almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl heaped with sifted powdered sugar, smooth milk chocolate melting wafers arranged neatly, unwrapped milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses, delicate almond slices spread evenly, a small white ceramic bowl of glossy black decorative icing, a small white ceramic bowl filled with shiny red sugar pearls placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Chocolate Cherry Mice - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino?

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.

What chocolate is best for dipping?

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.

Can I make these mice ahead of time?

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.

What should I do if the dough is too sticky?

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!