Dark Chocolate Dipped Cherries Food

DARK CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Dip the bottoms of cherries in chocolate. Let excess drip off.
• Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate about 15 minutes.

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.

CHOCOLATE COVERED DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Place the dried cherries in a coating pan attached to a stand mixer. Spin at low speed. Using a ladle, add the chocolate to the spinning cherries. Add one ladleful at a time until the cherries are coated to the desired thickness. (Use a 50/50 ratio (50 percent chocolate, 50 percent weight of the cherries.) If a thicker coat is desired, use more chocolate and vice versa.
• How to Temper Chocolate(From Dessert Circus, Extraordinary Desserts You Can Make At Home by Jacques Torres):
• Chocolate is tempered so that after it has been melted, it retains its gloss and hardens again without becoming chalky and white (that happens when the molecules of fat separate and form on top of the chocolate). There are a variety of ways to temper.
• One of the easiest ways to temper chocolate is to chop it into small pieces and then place it in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time on high power until most of the chocolate is melted. Be very careful not to overheat it. (The temperature of dark chocolate should be between 88 and 90 degrees F, slightly warmer than your bottom lip. It will retain its shape even when mostly melted. White and milk chocolates melt at a temperature approximately 2 degrees F less because of the amount of lactose they contain.) Any remaining lumps will melt in the chocolate's residual heat. Use an immersion blender or whisk to break up the lumps. Usually, chocolate begins to set, or crystallize, along the side of the bowl. As it sets, mix those crystals into the melted chocolate to temper it. A glass bowl retains heat well and keeps the chocolate tempered longer.
• Another way to temper chocolate is called seeding. In this method, add small pieces of unmelted chocolate to melted chocolate. The amount of unmelted chocolate to be added depends on the temperature of the melted chocolate, but is usually 1/4 of the total amount. It is easiest to use an immersion blender for this, or a whisk.
• The classic way to temper chocolate is called tabliering. Two thirds of the melted chocolate is poured onto a marble or another cold work surface. The chocolate is spread out and worked with a spatula until its temperature is approximately 81 degrees F. At this stage, it is thick and begins to set. This tempered chocolate is then added to the remaining non-tempered chocolate and mixed thoroughly until the mass has a completely uniform temperature. If the temperature is still too high, part of the chocolate is worked further on the cold surface until the correct temperature is reached. This is a lot of work, requires a lot of room, and makes a big mess.
• A simple method of checking tempering, is to apply a small quantity of chocolate to a piece of paper or to the point of a knife. If the chocolate has been correctly tempered, it will harden evenly and show a good gloss within a few minutes.

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.

BRANDIED CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Pour brandy over drained cherries; let set for two days.
• Combine butter, corn syrup and salt; blend until smooth.
• Add confectioners' sugar and mix well.
• Knead until smooth and shiny; wrap in wax paper and chill for 30 minutes.
• Drain cherries well on paper towels; pat dry.
• Shape a marble-size piece of fondant around each cherry and place on wax paper-lined tray. Chill until firm, about 2 hours.
• Melt chocolate over hot water, stirring constantly.
• Dip cherries quickly and place on wax paper-lined tray.
• Place in refrigerator to set.
• Store in covered container in a cool, dark place for 10 to 14 days to fully ripen allow the fondant to liquify inside.

BOOZY DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain the cherries, reserving the juice for another purpose. It will not be used in this recipe but is great for cocktails and more.
• Place the cherries in a quart-sized mason jar or other container. Cover completely with spiced rum. Seal and refrigerate for at least 24 hours, up to 72 hours. The longer the cherries sit in the rum, the stronger they will taste.
• Next, drain the rum-soaked cherries. Keep this cherry-infused rum. It is SO good for cocktails. Place the cherries on layers of paper towels for 10 minutes. This step ensures that the chocolate coating will cling to the fruit.
• Line a tray or platter with parchment paper. Place the decorative sugar into a shallow dish or bowl.
• Melt the dark chocolate according to package directions. Use a small bowl that is deep enough to dip the cherries into. I used the Dark Chocolate Bada Bing Bada Boom from Chocoley Chocolate. Refer to the brand you use for specific directions.
• If the chocolate is too thick, stir in about a teaspoon of shortening until melted and the chocolate is smooth.
• While the chocolate is warm, dip the cherries one at a time. First dip into the chocolate then into the sugar.
• Place the dipped cherries onto the prepared parchment. When done dipping all of the cherries, refrigerate until set.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED LUXARDO CHERRIES

Steps:

• In a bowl, stir together sugar, corn syrup, 1 tablespoon water, and butter until a dough forms. Transfer to a work surface lightly dusted with confectioners' sugar and knead until smooth, dusting dough with more sugar as necessary, until no longer sticky. Scoop 1 teaspoon of dough into your palm and flatten into a 1-inch round. Place a cherry in center of round and wrap dough around cherry, pressing with your fingers, if necessary, to enclose. Gently roll between your palms until smooth. Repeat process with remaining dough and cherries. Make a small loop in one end of each length of wire, then insert a looped end into center of each cherry (loop will prevent wire from slipping out when dipping). Transfer to a parchment-lined sheet. Let stand, uncovered, until hard and dry, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
• Using wire stems to hold them, dip each cherry into chocolate, then lift and let excess chocolate drip back into bowl. Transfer to a parchment-lined sheet and let stand until chocolate is hard and dry, about 1 hour. Serve, or store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 month.

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain the cherries, reserving 1/4 cup of the cherry juice.
• Place the cherries on paper towels and pat to dry.
• Place the powdered sugar, butter and 3 tablespoons of cherry juice in the bowl of a mixer; beat to combine until the mixture forms a dough.
• If the mixture seems too wet or sticky, add 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until desired consistency is reached.
• If mixture is too dry, add 1 teaspoon of cherry juice at a time until desired consistency is reached.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Take two teaspoons of the cherry dough and flatten it into a disc shape.
• Place one cherry onto each disc and wrap the dough around the cherry to form a ball. If the dough sticks to your hands, try coating your hands in cooking spray first.
• Place the balls onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and freeze for 20 minutes.
• While the balls are chilling, melt the candy melts by placing them in a microwave safe bowl and cooking them in the microwave for 30 second increments until melted.
• Stir the candy melts until smooth.
• Place one ball on a fork and use the fork to coat the ball in chocolate. Gently tap the fork against the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate.
• Place each dipped ball onto a sheet of parchment paper. Repeat the process with the remaining balls and candy melts.
• Place some of the melted candy in a resealable bag and snip off one corner of the bag to use as a piping bag.
• Use the piping bag to drizzle melted chocolate over the tops of the dipped cherries.
• Let the chocolate coating harden, then store the cherries at room temperature for up to one week.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CHERRIES WITH PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Place the pistachios in a shallow bowl and set aside. Place chocolate in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Bring cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Pour hot cream over chocolate and let sit for about 30 seconds; stir until the chocolate melts completely.
• Holding by the stem, dip the bottom of a cherry in the chocolate mixture, lightly shake off excess chocolate, and dip the cherry in the chopped pistachios.
• Transfer to the prepared sheet pan. Repeat with remaining cherries, refrigerate for 10 minutes, and store in a cool, dry place. Cherries will keep for several hours. Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE DIPPED BING CHERRIES

Steps:

• Pour the sugar into a shallow dish. Drop two drops of vanilla at a time into the dish in 24 separate places to form lumps of vanilla sugar. Set aside to allow the lumps to harden.
• Pit the cherries carefully from the bottom. I use a small curved dental tool. Make sure the stem stays intact.
• When the lumps of sugar have hardened, insert them into the cherries where the pits were; set aside. Melt chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
• Hold cherries by the stem and dip into the chocolate leaving the very top uncovered. Set on waxed paper to dry. Refrigerate overnight to allow the sugar lumps to dissolve.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Place chocolate in top of double boiler set over barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of pan to touch water); stir until melted and smooth. Remove chocolate from over water. Holding cherry stem, dip 1 cherry halfway into chocolate. Place cherry, chocolate side down, on prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining cherries and chocolate. Chill until chocolate is firm, at least 15 minutes. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.)

DARK CHOCOLATE & DRIED CHERRY BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In one bowl, stir together all the dry ingredients.
• In a smaller bowl, whisk together the eggs and vanilla extract until blended.
• Pour the egg mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients, and stir with a wooden spoon until mixed.
• Stir in the cherries and chocolate and then dump the mixture onto a lightly floured counter or cutting board.
• Knead a minute or two by hand until the dough comes together.
• Form into one long log about 14-inches long (for long biscotti), or two smaller logs about 8-inches long and place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake about 25 minutes, or until the bottom is lightly browned, and the top feels set.
• Cool 10 minutes and reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• Use a serrated knife the cut the log into 1-inch slices.
• Lay the biscotti flat, side by side on the baking sheet and bake 10 minutes.
• Turn the biscotti over and bake another 7 to 8 minutes until lightly browned. (The biscotti will crisp up as they cool)
• Transfer the biscotti to a wire rack and cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

DARK-CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CHERRY ICE CREAM CONES

Steps:

• Spoon some ice cream into 1 cone, packing gently to fill. Dip large (1/4 cup) round ice cream scoop into bowl of hot water. Scoop large mounded ball of ice cream onto cone, pressing gently. Stand cone in small glass; place in freezer. Repeat with remaining cones and ice cream, placing each cone in individual glass. Freeze 2 to 8 hours.
• Place bittersweet chocolate and oil in small glass bowl. Microwave on medium-high until chocolate is melted, stopping occasionally to stir, about 1 1/2 minutes. Let stand just until cool, about 10 minutes. Place white chocolate in another small glass bowl; melt in microwave on medium-high, stopping occasionally to stir, about 1 minute.
• Place nuts on plate. Working quickly and tilting bowl of bittersweet chocolate to form deep pool, dip ice cream end of cone into chocolate, turning to coat. Gently shake cone, allowing excess chocolate to drip back into bowl. Immediately roll bottom half of chocolate-dipped scoop in nuts. Dip fork into white chocolate; drizzle lines over top of cone. Place cone in glass; return to freezer. Repeat with remaining cones. Freeze 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap cones in foil; keep frozen.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Finely chop 1/2 pound dark chocolate. Combine three-quarters of the chocolate and 1 teaspoon coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until the chocolate is melted; stir in the remaining chocolate until smooth. Dip 1 pound fresh cherries in the chocolate by the stems and set on parchment paper. Let harden at room temperature.