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Cherry Mash Truffles Recipe

4.8 from 424 reviews

Cherry Mash Truffles are a delightful no-bake treat featuring a soft, cherry-infused center coated in a creamy peanut butter chocolate shell and sprinkled with crunchy peanuts. These bite-sized confections blend sweet maraschino cherries with rich chocolate and peanut butter for a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ideal for parties or as an indulgent homemade gift.

Ingredients

Scale

Cherry Mixture

  • 1 cup maraschino cherries (drained well and finely chopped)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate Coating

  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cherry Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped maraschino cherries, softened unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Stir thoroughly until the mixture forms a soft, sticky dough. If the dough feels too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to firm up.
  2. Form the Truffle Centers: Using your hands or a small scoop, roll the cherry mixture into 1-inch diameter balls. Place each ball onto a parchment-lined tray, ensuring they don’t touch. Once all are formed, freeze the tray for 30 minutes to solidify the centers.
  3. Melt the Chocolate and Peanut Butter: In a heatproof bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, and creamy peanut butter. Gently melt the mixture using a double boiler method or short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently until smooth and well combined. Fold in the chopped peanuts for added texture.
  4. Coat the Cherry Balls: Remove the cherry balls from the freezer one at a time, and dip each ball into the warm chocolate peanut butter coating, using a fork or dipping tool to fully cover it. Tap off any excess coating and place the coated truffle back onto the parchment-lined tray.
  5. Set the Truffles: Allow the coated truffles to set at room temperature until firm, or speed up the process by refrigerating them. Once the chocolate shell has hardened, the truffles are ready to serve or store.

Notes

  • Ensure maraschino cherries are well drained and finely chopped to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
  • If the mixture is too sticky to roll, chill it longer in the refrigerator before shaping.
  • Use a double boiler or microwave with caution when melting chocolate to prevent scorching.
  • Store finished truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • For a nut-free version, omit peanuts and peanut butter and substitute with sunflower seed butter and seeds.

Keywords: cherry mash truffles, no-bake truffles, chocolate peanut butter truffles, cherry dessert, homemade candy