If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat to make during the holiday season, these Christmas Cherry Bombs are an easy recipe that brings together juicy maraschino cherries, cool peppermint flavor, creamy white chocolate, and crunchy crushed peppermint candies.
Each cherry is soaked in peppermint schnapps, dipped in smooth white chocolate, and finished with crushed peppermint for a beautiful red, white, and green-inspired Christmas appearance. They require no baking and can be prepared ahead of a holiday gathering.
These little treats are especially pretty when arranged on a Christmas dessert platter. The cherry stem also makes each one easy to pick up and enjoy.
Overview of the Recipe
Christmas Cherry Bombs are a festive no-bake holiday treat made with stemmed maraschino cherries, peppermint schnapps, white chocolate melting discs, and crushed peppermint candies.
The preparation is simple: soak the cherries, dry them thoroughly, dip them in melted white chocolate, add the peppermint topping, and chill until the coating is firm.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No oven required
- Only a few ingredients
- Perfect for Christmas parties
- Beautiful red-and-white presentation
- Easy to prepare ahead
- Sweet cherry flavor with refreshing peppermint
- Creamy white chocolate coating
- Great for holiday dessert trays
What Do Christmas Cherry Bombs Taste Like?
The flavor starts with the sweet, fruity taste of a maraschino cherry. The peppermint schnapps adds a cool minty note, while the white chocolate creates a smooth and creamy coating.
The crushed peppermint candies add a light crunch and a stronger peppermint finish.
The combination makes these treats sweet, refreshing, creamy, and festive in one bite.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Stemmed maraschino cherries | 10 ounces |
| Peppermint schnapps | ¼ cup |
| White chocolate melting discs | 5 ounces |
| Peppermint candies, finely crushed | ¼ cup |
Choosing the Cherries
Use good-quality stemmed maraschino cherries that are plump and intact. Keeping the stems attached makes the cherries easier to dip and creates a more attractive finished treat.
After soaking, the cherries need to be dried well before dipping. Excess moisture can make it harder for the white chocolate to adhere properly.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Jar or container for soaking
- Paper towels
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Spoon or dipping tool
- Parchment paper
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Small bowl for crushed peppermint
How to Make Christmas Cherry Bombs
Step 1: Prepare the Cherries
Open the jar of maraschino cherries and carefully drain about ⅓ cup of the cherry juice while keeping the cherries inside the jar.
Do not remove the cherries or their stems.
Step 2: Add the Peppermint Schnapps
Pour ¼ cup peppermint schnapps into the jar with the cherries.
Replace the lid securely and gently shake or turn the jar so the liquid can surround the cherries.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or leave them overnight for a stronger peppermint flavor.
Step 3: Dry the Cherries
Remove the cherries from the jar and place them on paper towels.
Pat them carefully until the surface is as dry as possible.
This step is important because moisture can prevent the melted white chocolate from coating the cherries smoothly.
Step 4: Prepare the Peppermint Topping
Place the peppermint candies in a small bag or between sheets of parchment paper and crush them into small pieces.
Transfer the crushed peppermint to a shallow bowl.
You want small pieces that will stick easily to the melted chocolate without being too powdery.
Step 5: Melt the White Chocolate
Place the white chocolate melting discs in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat according to the package directions, stirring between heating intervals until the chocolate is completely smooth.
Avoid overheating the chocolate, because overheated white chocolate can become thick and difficult to use.
Step 6: Dip the Cherries
Hold each cherry by its stem and dip it into the melted white chocolate.
Allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
Immediately dip the chocolate-covered portion into the crushed peppermint candies.
The peppermint should stick to the chocolate while it is still soft.
Step 7: Let Them Set
Place each finished cherry on a parchment-lined baking sheet with the stem pointing upward.
Repeat with the remaining cherries.
Transfer the tray to the refrigerator and chill for about 30 minutes, or until the white chocolate coating is firm.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Cherry Bombs
Dry the Cherries Thoroughly
One of the most important steps is drying the cherries after soaking. Pat them gently with paper towels before dipping.
Don’t Overheat the Chocolate
White chocolate can become thick when overheated. Use short heating intervals and stir frequently.
Keep the Stems Attached
Stemmed cherries are much easier to dip and look especially attractive on a Christmas dessert platter.
Use Freshly Crushed Peppermint
Crushing peppermint candies shortly before decorating gives you a brighter color and a pleasant crunchy texture.
Chill Before Serving
Allowing the finished cherry bombs to chill gives the white chocolate enough time to set completely.
Can I Make Christmas Cherry Bombs Ahead?
Yes. These treats are convenient for holiday entertaining because they can be prepared ahead of time.
After the chocolate coating has set, store the cherry bombs loosely covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
For the best appearance, avoid storing them uncovered because moisture and condensation can affect the white chocolate coating.
Can I Freeze Christmas Cherry Bombs?
Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.
The combination of cherries, moisture, and white chocolate can lead to condensation and changes in texture after thawing.
For the best results, prepare them a day or two before serving and keep them refrigerated.
Variations
White Chocolate and Green Sprinkles
Instead of crushed peppermint candies, decorate the chocolate-coated cherries with green Christmas sprinkles for a colorful holiday presentation.
Red and Green Christmas Sprinkles
Use a combination of red and green sprinkles to create a classic Christmas color scheme.
Dark Chocolate Version
For a richer flavor, you can replace the white chocolate with dark chocolate. The contrast between dark chocolate and bright red cherries makes a beautiful dessert platter.
Vanilla Almond Bark
Vanilla almond bark can also be used instead of white chocolate melting discs, following the melting instructions on the package.
What to Serve With Christmas Cherry Bombs
These festive treats are perfect alongside:
- Christmas cookies
- Gingerbread cookies
- Peppermint bark
- Hot chocolate
- Coffee
- Holiday dessert platters
- Christmas candy trays
They can also be arranged in small paper candy cups to make them easier for guests to pick up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Christmas Cherry Bombs?
Christmas Cherry Bombs are festive cherry treats made by soaking maraschino cherries in peppermint schnapps, dipping them in white chocolate, and decorating them with crushed peppermint candies.
How long should the cherries soak?
The cherries should soak for at least 1 hour. They can also be refrigerated overnight if you want a stronger peppermint flavor.
Do I need to remove the cherry stems?
No. Keeping the stems attached makes the cherries much easier to dip and serve.
Why won’t the chocolate stick to my cherries?
The most common problem is excess moisture. Pat the cherries very dry with paper towels before dipping them in the melted white chocolate.
Can I use another type of alcohol?
Yes. Some variations of cherry bombs use different spirits, but peppermint schnapps gives this Christmas version its characteristic cool peppermint flavor.
Can I make these without alcohol?
Yes. For a non-alcoholic version, omit the peppermint schnapps and use peppermint-flavored syrup or another alcohol-free peppermint flavoring if desired. The soaking time and final flavor will be different.
How should I store Christmas Cherry Bombs?
Store them loosely covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Storage Instructions
| Storage Method | Recommended Time |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 2 days |
| Freezer | Not recommended |
| Room temperature | Only for short serving periods |
Nutrition Information
Because the exact nutrition values depend on the specific brands of cherries, white chocolate, peppermint candies, and schnapps used, the following values are approximate.
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 78 kcal |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Sodium | 7 mg |
Conclusion
These Christmas Cherry Bombs are a simple way to add something colorful and festive to your holiday dessert table. Sweet maraschino cherries, cool peppermint, creamy white chocolate, and crunchy peppermint candies create a fun combination that looks just as good as it tastes.
Because they require no baking and only a handful of ingredients, they’re especially useful when you’re preparing several Christmas treats at the same time.
Make them ahead, chill them until the coating is firm, and serve them on a festive platter for an easy holiday treat.
Print
Christmas Cherry Bombs – Festive Peppermint White Chocolate Treats
- Total Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
- Yield: 16 Cherry Bombs 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive Christmas Cherry Bombs made with peppermint-soaked maraschino cherries, creamy white chocolate, and crushed peppermint candies.
Ingredients
10 ounces stemmed maraschino cherries
1/4 cup peppermint schnapps
5 ounces white chocolate melting discs
1/4 cup peppermint candies, finely crushed
Instructions
1. Drain about 1/3 cup of cherry juice from the jar while keeping the stemmed cherries inside.
2. Add 1/4 cup peppermint schnapps to the jar, replace the lid, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
3. Remove the cherries from the jar and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels.
4. Place the peppermint candies in a small bowl after crushing them into small pieces.
5. Melt the white chocolate melting discs in a microwave-safe bowl according to the package directions, stirring until smooth.
6. Hold each cherry by the stem and dip it into the melted white chocolate.
7. Immediately dip the chocolate-covered portion into the crushed peppermint candies.
8. Place each finished cherry on a parchment-lined baking sheet with the stem pointing upward.
9. Refrigerate the finished cherry bombs for about 30 minutes, or until the white chocolate is firm.
Notes
Pat the cherries very dry before dipping so the white chocolate adheres properly.
Do not overheat the white chocolate.
Keep the cherry stems attached for easier dipping and serving.
Store finished cherry bombs loosely covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Freezing is not recommended because condensation can affect the chocolate coating.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 0 Minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cherry Bomb
- Calories: 78
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 7mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 1mg
Gianna Poulef
I’m Gianna Poulef from Poulef Recipes. I love sharing perfected dishes from my kitchen. I’m sure they’ll earn a spot in your heart. Let’s savor this journey together!.
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