Dark Chocolate Cherry Candies 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.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY LOAF CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with parchment, allowing it to hang over the sides. Spray the parchment with baking spray and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, milk, melted butter and eggs until smooth. Fold in the chocolate chunks. Add the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Place the loaf pan on a sheet pan and bake until a cake tester comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing it from the cake pan, then allow the cake to cool completely, about an hour.
• For the cherry glaze: Mix the powdered sugar, preserves and milk until thoroughly combined; it should be thick but pourable. Add the food coloring and mix through. Pour the icing over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Sprinkle over the mini chocolate chips. Slice and serve.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY FUDGE (SPONSORED)

Steps:

• LINE 8-inch-square baking pan with foil.
• COMBINE sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• STIR in marshmallows, morsels, dried cherries and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces.
• VARIATION: For an equally delicious fudge, try substituting ¾ cup dried berry blend for the cherries.

CHERRY ALMOND CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, toss together the almonds and the cherries. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Melt half the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over slightly simmering water, over the lowest possible heat, stirring frequently. Make sure the water is not touching the top pan. Remove the double boiler from the heat and stir in the rest of the chocolate. Remove the top pan with the chocolate in it, gently wipe the bottom of it and set it aside for a moment. Replace the simmering water in the bottom pan with warm tap water. Put the pan of melted chocolate on top of the warm water. This will keep the chocolate at the right temperature while you make the clusters.
• Stir the fruit-nut mixture into the chocolate. Spoon out heaping tablespoon-sized clusters of the chocolate mixture onto the baking sheet about 1-inch apart. Put them in the refrigerator to set for 15 minutes. Store and serve at room temperature.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY CANDIES

Steps:

• LINE baking sheets with wax paper.
• MICROWAVE chocolate in large, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 45 seconds; STIR. If pieces retain some of their original shape, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted. Stir in pretzels, cherries and almonds until well coated. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared trays. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
• NOTE: Coarsely chopped dried apricots or sweetened dry cranberries can be substituted for the dried cherries.