Fondant For 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.

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain cherries well; let stand on paper toweling.
• Make fondant: Combine butter or margarine, corn syrup and salt; stir in powdered sugar.
• Knead until smooth.
• Chill if too soft.
• Shape a teaspoon of the fondant around each cherry.
• Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheet; chill.
• In small heavy saucepan or deep bowl over pan of hot water, melt chocolate coating, stirring constantly.
• Holding onto stems, dip fondant-covered cherries, one at a time, into melted chocolate.
• Spoon mixture over cherries to coat.
• Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
• Place in refrigerator to harden.
• Store in covered container in cool place.
• Let ripen a week or two and fondant will begin to liquefy.
• Makes 60 chocolate-covered cherries.

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• The day before you want to make the chocolate-covered cherries, drain the cherries from their soaking liquid and reserve 2 tablespoons of the liquid. Pat the cherries dry between sheets of paper towels and let them sit on a wire rack overnight to dry.
• The next day, prepare the fondant filling. In the large bowl of a stand mixer , combine the butter, corn syrup, reserved cherry liquid, almond extract, and liquid invertase, and beat until combined. It is okay if the butter separates at this point-it will all come together soon.
• Stop the mixer and add the confectioners' sugar to the bowl, then mix on low speed until the candy comes together in a ball around the mixing paddle.
• Scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is incorporated, and check the texture of the candy: it should be quite soft, but not so sticky that you cannot handle it.
• If necessary, add a little more confectioners' sugar to make it workable, but remember: the softer it is, the sooner it will liquefy.
• Use a small candy scoop or a teaspoon to form a quarter-sized ball of fondant, and roll it in your hands to get it round. Flatten the ball between your palms, and place a cherry in the center of the fondant.
• Bring together the outer edges and pinch the fondant together at the top where the stem extends from the cherry. Make sure the cherry is covered completely, then roll it between your palms to smooth out any seams or wrinkles and get it round.
• Place the cherry on a waxed paper-covered baking sheet , then repeat with the remaining cherries until they are all covered with fondant. Refrigerate the tray until the fondant feels firm, at least 30 minutes.
• While you are waiting for the fondant to firm up, melt the chocolate candy melts over medium heat in a double boiler.
• When the fondant is firm, begin the dipping process. Holding a cherry by the stem, dip just the bottom in the chocolate, coming about 1/4-inch up the sides of the cherry. Place the cherry back on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining cherries.
• By the time you have finished dipping the bottom of the last cherry, the first cherry will probably be set and ready to be fully dipped. (If not, refrigerate the tray briefly to set the chocolate bottoms.) Hold a cherry by the stem and drag it through the chocolate, coating it completely. Be sure that there is absolutely no fondant showing through. When it is fully covered with chocolate, let the excess drip over the bowl, then gently drag the bottom edge over the lip of the bowl to remove any excess. Replace the cherry on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining cherries.
• Set cherries aside at room temperature for 2 to 3 days to allow the centers to begin to liquify. (Cold temperatures will slow down the invertase's work). Test the liquid centers after 2 to 3 days, and continue to monitor their progress via the occasional taste test until the centers have completely liquified.

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.

FONDANT-FILLED CANDIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine milk and corn syrup. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar (mixture will be stiff). Divide into two portions. , For peppermint patties, add the peppermint oil to one portion. Shape 1/2 teaspoonfuls into balls and flatten. In a microwave, melt 1 pound of candy coating, stir until smooth. With a slotted spoon, dip peppermint disks in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper to harden. Refrigerate in an airtight container., For chocolate-covered cherries, drain cherries, reserving 3 tablespoons of juice; set cherries aside. Combine juice with remaining fondant. Add additional confectioners' sugar if necessary to form a stiff mixture. , Roll into 1-in. balls; flatten to 2-in. circles. Wrap each circle around a cherry and carefully shape into a ball. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover loosely. Melt remaining candy coating; dip cherries in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper to harden. Refrigerate in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks for candy to ripen and center to soften.

AUNT BEA'S CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain cherries.
• Prepare fondant.
• Add all fondant ingrediants together in a large bowl and mix together.
• Knead fondant adding powdered sugar just until the fondant no longer sticks to the table or board.
• Roll fondant into one inch balls, flatten and wrap around cherries, sealing at the stem.
• Place into refrigerator to chill.
• Add both bags of chips to top of double boiler with water in bottom half simmering.
• Add approximately a two inch square of paraffin to chip (as shavings).
• Let melt, stirring occasionally.
• When fully liquid dip cherries into chocolate and place on waxed paper to set.
• Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

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.

EASY CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Drain juice from cherries, set cherries aside until ready to use. To make fondant: Using a electric mixer at medium speed beat together butter, corn syrup and vanilla in a mixing bowl until smooth. Gradually add salt and 3 cups of the sugar, mixing well. When mixture becomes too stiff to beat, stir with spoon. Add 1/2 - 1 cup of sugar to make a mixture that can be kneaded. Form mixture into 10" roll. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate roll until firm.
• Cut roll into 1" slices. Cut each slice into quarters. Flatten each piece in palm of hand; place cherry in center. Fold up fondant around cherry until it is completely covered. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Chill until firm.
• Melt milk chocolate in the top of double boiler over hot water. Cool slightly. Holding each fondant-covered cherry by the stem, quickly dip it in the melted chocolate until the fondant is covered. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until chocolate sets. Store in air-tight container in the refrigerate. Make 40-50 cherries, depending on the size of the cherries.