Nothing says Christmas like a plate of festive sweets, and these white chocolate cherry bombs are my absolute favorite holiday treat to whip up. I discovered this recipe years ago when I needed a last-minute dessert for our cookie exchange – now it’s become our family’s must-have Christmas candy! The best part? You don’t even need to turn on the oven. Just melt, dip, and refrigerate. I love how the bright red cherries peek through the snowy white chocolate, making them look like little Christmas ornaments. My kids still giggle when we call them “cherry bombs” – though trust me, the only explosion you’ll get is flavor!
Ingredients for Christmas Cherry Dessert
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these festive treats – I promise it’s all simple stuff you might already have!
- 1 jar (10 oz) maraschino cherries with stems (drained and patted super dry – this part’s crucial!)
- 1 cup white chocolate chips or melting wafers (I prefer Ghirardelli for smoother melting)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil (optional but makes the chocolate dip like a dream)
- 1/2 cup crushed pecans or walnuts (I use whatever nuts I’ve got leftover from holiday baking)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (makes them look like little snow-covered gems)
See? Told you it was simple! Now let’s get dipping.
How to Make Christmas Cherry Dessert
Okay, let’s get to the fun part! Making these cherry bombs is so easy you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making them all year. Just follow these simple steps:
- Dry those cherries like your dessert depends on it (because it kinda does). I lay mine out on paper towels and gently pat them dry, then let them air dry for a few minutes. Any moisture will make the chocolate slide right off – learned that the hard way!
- Melt your chocolate gently in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. I add that tablespoon of coconut oil because it makes the chocolate smoother and easier to work with. When it’s silky and lump-free, you’re ready to dip!
Dipping and Decorating the Cherries
Here’s where the magic happens:
- Hold each cherry by its stem and dip it completely into the melted chocolate. Swirl it around to get full coverage – I like to let the excess drip off for about 3 seconds.
- While the chocolate’s still wet, press the bottom into your crushed nuts. This gives them that perfect “snowy forest floor” look and adds a nice crunch.
- Place each finished cherry bomb on parchment paper – trust me, this prevents sticking disasters! Pop them in the fridge for about 15 minutes to set up perfectly.
That’s it! You’ve just made the easiest, prettiest holiday treat ever. Now try not to eat them all before your guests arrive!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cherry Dessert
Honestly, these little cherry bombs check all my holiday dessert boxes – here’s why they’ll become your new favorite too:
- No oven required! When your kitchen’s already overflowing with baking sheets, it’s such a relief to have a festive treat that doesn’t need baking.
- They look like Christmas ornaments – the red cherries peeking through snowy white chocolate always gets oohs and aahs at parties.
- Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish (perfect for those “oh no, I forgot to make something!” moments).
- Totally customizable – swap pecans for crushed candy canes, sprinkles, or even coconut flakes depending on what you’ve got.
- Kids can help! My little ones love dipping the cherries (though we always have extra chocolate for “quality control” tasting).
Seriously, once you see how easy and impressive these are, you’ll be making batches all season long!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Cherry Dessert
Here are my hard-earned secrets for cherry bomb success:
- Pat those cherries bone dry – I mean seriously dry them like you’re prepping them for a desert expedition. Wet cherries = chocolate sliding right off!
- That coconut oil trick isn’t just hype – it makes the chocolate dip like liquid silk and prevents weird clumping.
- Store them in the fridge in a single layer – they’ll keep fresh for days (if they last that long!).
Follow these and you’ll be the cherry bomb queen of your holiday party!
Ingredient Substitutions
Don’t stress if you’re missing something – I’ve tried all sorts of variations on these cherry bombs over the years! Here are my favorite swaps that still give delicious results:
- Out of white chocolate? Dark chocolate works beautifully and makes a gorgeous contrast with the red cherries. Milk chocolate gets too soft for my taste.
- Not a pecan fan? Try crushed almonds, pistachios, or even graham crackers for a different crunch. One year I used crushed candy canes – total holiday hit!
- No coconut oil? A tiny bit of vegetable shortening works, but skip butter – it makes the chocolate seize up weirdly.
- Want to go nut-free? Roll the dipped cherries in sprinkles, shredded coconut, or even crushed pretzels for that salty-sweet combo I adore.
The only thing I wouldn’t substitute? Those maraschino cherries – their sweet-tart flavor and pretty red color make this dessert special. Fresh cherries just don’t have the same festive punch!
Storing Your Christmas Cherry Dessert
Here’s the thing about these cherry bombs – they never last long in my house! But when you need to stash them away (maybe hide a few from cookie monsters?), here’s how to keep them fresh:
Pop them in an airtight container with parchment between layers so they don’t stick together. They’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days – though honestly, ours are usually gone by day two!
One year I tried freezing them (thinking I’d be so prepared for holiday guests). Big mistake! The cherries turned mushy when thawed, and the chocolate developed weird white streaks. Stick to refrigeration – these treats are so quick to make fresh anyway!
Pro tip: If your kitchen is cool and dry, you can leave them out for a few hours during your party. Just don’t let them sit too long – that white chocolate will start to soften, especially if your house is warm from holiday cooking.
Christmas Cherry Dessert FAQs
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about these festive cherry bombs – here are the answers to everything you might wonder!
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino?
Oh honey, I tried that once – total disaster! Fresh cherries don’t have that same sweet-tart punch, and their juice makes the chocolate slide right off. Stick with maraschinos – their bright red color and syrupy sweetness are what makes this holiday candy special.
How far ahead can I make these?
They’re perfect for make-ahead party candy! I usually whip them up 2 days before an event. Just store them in the fridge in an airtight container with parchment between layers. Any longer and the cherries start weeping moisture – though honestly, they never last that long in my house!
Why does my white chocolate keep seizing up?
Been there! First – make sure your cherries are bone dry. Second, melt the chocolate slowly (30 second bursts in the microwave). That tablespoon of coconut oil works miracles for keeping it smooth. If it does seize, add a tiny bit more oil and stir like crazy!
Can kids help make these?
Absolutely! My little ones love being in charge of the nut-dipping station. Just be prepared for some “quality control” chocolate tasting – I always melt extra for this very important step!
What’s the best way to serve these?
I pile them high on a pretty holiday platter or arrange them in mini cupcake liners for easy grabbing. The powdered sugar dusting makes them look extra festive – like little snow-covered Christmas ornaments!
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist – just a home cook who loves sharing tasty treats! These cherry bombs are definitely dessert, not health food, but I want to be upfront about what you’re enjoying.
The nutritional values will vary depending on your specific ingredients – like whether you use regular or premium chocolate, or how heavy-handed you are with those nuts! Generally speaking, each little bomb packs sweetness from the cherry and chocolate, with some healthy fats from the nuts.
My philosophy? Holiday treats are meant to be savored in moderation as part of the festive fun. I always make sure to balance rich desserts with lighter meals during busy December days. That way, when those cherry bombs come out at parties, I can enjoy every bite guilt-free!
I’d love to hear how your Christmas cherry bombs turn out! There’s nothing I enjoy more than swapping holiday recipe stories – did your family go crazy for them like mine does? Maybe you put your own spin on the recipe with different toppings or chocolate? Drop a comment below and tell me all about it!
And hey – if you snapped a photo of your festive creations, I’d be over the moon if you tagged me (@YourBlogName) on Instagram. There’s something magical about seeing everyone’s holiday treats all lined up in their Christmas glory. Your pictures might just inspire someone else to try this easy recipe!
Happy dipping, friends! May your cherries be dry, your chocolate smooth, and your holiday season filled with sweet moments (and maybe a few extra cherry bombs hidden away for yourself).
PrintIrresistible Christmas Cherry Dessert in Just 15 Minutes
A quick and festive no-bake dessert perfect for Christmas, featuring maraschino cherries dipped in white chocolate and coated with crushed nuts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 bombs 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 jar (10 oz) maraschino cherries with stems, drained and patted dry
- 1 cup white chocolate chips or melting wafers
- 1 tbsp coconut oil (optional, for smoother melting)
- 1/2 cup crushed pecans or walnuts
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Dry the cherries thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the chocolate sticks.
- Melt the white chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Dip each cherry into the melted chocolate, coating fully, then press the bottom into crushed pecans.
- Place the coated cherries on parchment paper and refrigerate for 15 minutes to set.
- Dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving for a festive touch.
Notes
- Ensure cherries are completely dry before dipping to prevent chocolate from sliding off.
- Use coconut oil for smoother melting and easier dipping.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bomb
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg