Amish Chocolate Covered Cherries Food

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the sugar, butter, milk and extract. Knead until smooth and pliable. Shape into 1-in. balls and flatten each into a 2-in. circle. , Wrap one circle around each cherry and lightly roll in hands. Place with stems up on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. , In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Holding on to the stems, dip cherries into chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper until set. Store in a covered container. Refrigerate 1-2 weeks before serving.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain cherries on several paper towels and press out excess moisture; allow to drain at least an hour.
• Fondant: In a medium bowl, combine butter, corn syrup, chocolate and milk; beat until smooth.
• Stir in confectioner's sugar (mixture will seem dry).
• When most of the sugar is mixed in, turn out onto counter and knead until smooth.
• Divide into 24 pieces (about 2 tsp each) and shape into balls.
• Flatten each ball and mold around cherries, covering cherry completely (leaving stem out).
• Refrigerate at least an hour or until very cold and very firm.
• Line large cookie sheet with waxed paper.
• In a small saucepan over very low heat or in the microwave, melt chips and shortening or wax until smooth.
• Place pan or bowl over hot water to keep dipping consistency.
• Holding stems (or use toothpicks if your cherries have no stems), dip covered cherries into melted chocolate and allow excess to drip back into pan or bowl.
• Place on waxed papered cookie sheet to set.
• Place in miniture muffin cups if desired and store in tightly covered container or in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain cherries and set on paper towels to dry.
• In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth. Stir in confectioners' sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary. Wrap each cherry in about 1 teaspoon of dough. Chill until firm.
• Melt confectioners' coating in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Dip each cherry in by its stem, and place on waxed paper lined sheets. Chill until completely set. Store in an airtight container in a cool place. Best after 1 or 2 weeks.

OLD FASHIONED CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain cherries and set on paper towel to dry
• In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth. Stir in powdered sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary.
• Wrap each cherry in about 1 tsp of dough. Chill until firm.
• In a microwave-safe bowl melt chocolate chips with oil for about 20 seconds at a time (stirring each time) until chocolate is just melted and completely smooth.
• Dip each cherry in by its stem and place on wax paper-lined sheets. Place in an air-tight container (like a large tupperware) and store in a cool place for TWO WEEKS (yes, it is a long time-- but patience... I promise they taste best if you wait until the fondant softens)!

HOMEMADE AMISH CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Mix sugar, juice, and butter thoroughly (handles better if you let it cool for awhile).
• Make small balls
• Press flat and cover cherries.
• Dip in chocolate within 2 hours or it will be hard to dip.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD CHERRY VARIATIONS

Steps:

• 1. Chocolate Covered Cherries Variation I like making "Chocolate Covered Cherries" version of the Amish Friendship Cake (Bread - AW). It's great for people who always wanted to make the candy version, but couldn't pull it off. You use Cherry Jello instead of Pudding Mix. You use Marichino Cherry Juice instead of Vanilla Extract. You add 1/2 cup Marichino Cherries and 1/2 cup mini-chocolate chips. I don't use nuts for this one. I like to make this as a Bundt Cake topped with chocolate glaze and garnished with marichino cherries on the top. For Glaze (I never measure when I make glaze, I'm estimating here): about 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 or 2 cup confectioners sugar, 1-2 tbs marichino cherry juice and milk (as needed for consistency).
• 2. Cherry Cheese Cake Variation This is wonderful. I used the basic mix, omitted the cinnamon and used two small boxes of cheese cake pudding instead of the vanilla and I added a small pack of cream cheese and 1/4 cup more milk. You also need a can of Cherry pie filling , 1/2 can per loaf. After putting the batter into the pans dab teaspoons of cherries on top of them and swirl around with spoon to mix in the cherries. Cook at 325 until dark golden brown. This is my brother-in-law's favorite and is very moist. I also found out that if you put the bread in a ziplock bag before it is totally cooled, the bread will be more moist. I love the many ways you can make this bread.
• 3. Cherry-Pistachio Variation Instead of large vanilla pudding use 2 small boxes of pistachio pudding. Omit cinnamon and add cup maraschino cherries, chopped with 2 tablespoonfuls of syrup from cherries. Reduce milk by 2 tablespoonfuls. Sprinkle baking pans with plain sugar. Note: This makes great finger tea sandwiches when spread with softened cream cheese!