If you’re looking to impress friends and family with a festive treat that bursts with flavor and charm, the Christmas Cherry Bombs Recipe is an absolute must-try. These little delights perfectly blend creamy, sweet, and crunchy textures with the bright pop of maraschino cherries, all wrapped in luscious white chocolate and topped with a delightful graham cracker and pecan coating. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or craving a special seasonal indulgence, this recipe is a guaranteed holiday hit that brings warmth and joy to every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Christmas Cherry Bombs Recipe is carefully chosen to contribute to the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and crunch. With just a handful of simple items, you’ll be able to craft a treat that looks as stunning as it tastes.
- Maraschino cherries: Use 1 cup, drained and patted dry for that iconic sweet and tart burst in every bite.
- Cream cheese: ½ cup, softened to create a smooth and creamy base that holds the melody of flavors together.
- Powdered sugar: ¼ cup to add gentle sweetness and help the mixture set perfectly.
- Vanilla extract: ½ teaspoon to enhance the overall flavor with a warm, comforting note.
- White chocolate chips: 1 cup, melted for a decadent, silky shell that encases the cherry bombs.
- Crushed graham crackers: ½ cup for a sweet, buttery crunch that adds a festive texture contrast.
- Chopped pecans: ¼ cup to bring a nutty crunch and a little extra holiday magic to each bite.
How to Make Christmas Cherry Bombs Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Creamy Base
Start by combining the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Stir everything together until it becomes smooth, creamy, and free of lumps. This rich base is essential because it gently sweetens and stabilizes the cherry bombs, ensuring every bite tastes velvety and indulgent.
Step 2: Fold in the Cherries
Gently fold in the drained maraschino cherries, making sure each cherry is coated with the cream cheese mixture. This step is all about ensuring an even, fruity distribution so every chocolate-covered ball delivers that vibrant cherry burst you’re craving.
Step 3: Shape and Chill
Using a small spoon or your hands, shape the mixture into bite-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop them into the freezer for 30 minutes until they firm up. This chilling step is crucial for making the dipping process much easier and neater.
Step 4: Melt the White Chocolate
Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, stirring in between until the chocolate is smooth and glossy. This luscious coating will give the Christmas Cherry Bombs Recipe that irresistible, creamy shell.
Step 5: Dip and Coat
Dip each chilled cherry ball into the melted white chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then immediately roll it in a mixture of crushed graham crackers and chopped pecans. This adds an irresistible crunch and festive touch that makes these treats truly special.
Step 6: Final Chill Before Serving
Place the coated cherry bombs back onto the tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This allows the chocolate to set perfectly while the flavors meld into one harmonious, festive delight.
How to Serve Christmas Cherry Bombs Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, consider sprinkling a tiny pinch of edible glitter or drizzling a little red candy melt over the top. Fresh mint leaves or a few whole pecans on the serving plate make an inviting presentation that will have guests reaching for seconds.
Side Dishes
Christmas Cherry Bombs pair wonderfully with hot cocoa, peppermint bark, or a creamy eggnog. These sides complement the rich and fruity flavors while creating a cozy holiday dessert spread everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these beauties in mini cupcake liners or arrange them on a decorative holiday platter with festive napkins and pine sprigs for a charming centerpiece. You could even package them in pretty boxes as thoughtful edible gifts that capture the sweet spirit of the season.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Christmas Cherry Bombs keep best in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This way, you maintain their creamy texture and crunchy shell without either becoming soggy or overly hard.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these in advance, they freeze beautifully. Place them in a sealed container or freezer bag, separated by parchment paper to avoid sticking, and freeze for up to a month. Just thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Reheating
These treats are best enjoyed chilled, so reheating isn’t recommended. However, if you prefer a slightly softer texture, allow them to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before indulging.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh cherries for maraschino cherries?
Fresh cherries have a completely different moisture content and flavor profile, so they won’t provide the same sweet, vibrant taste or texture that maraschino cherries do. For the authentic Christmas Cherry Bombs Recipe experience, stick with maraschino cherries.
What if I don’t have white chocolate chips?
You can try using white chocolate bars chopped into small pieces, but chocolate chips are designed to melt smoothly and evenly—making them ideal for coating. Avoid chocolate that contains additives that could affect texture.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use gluten-free graham crackers to maintain the delightful crunch while keeping the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
How long should the cherry bombs freeze before dipping?
At least 30 minutes is recommended to let them firm up enough for easy dipping. This prevents the balls from falling apart when coated with chocolate.
Are Christmas Cherry Bombs Recipe suitable for kids?
Definitely. These sweet, colorful treats are kid-friendly and great for holiday parties, offering a festive snack that’s easy for little hands to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cherry Bombs Recipe brings together luscious cream cheese, bright cherries, and crisp toppings wrapped in indulgent white chocolate to create a treat you’ll want to make year after year. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm holiday hug—easy to prepare but wonderfully impressive in flavor and appearance. Gather your ingredients, embrace the festive spirit, and enjoy the sweet magic of this holiday favorite with everyone you love.
Print
Christmas Cherry Bombs Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Christmas Cherry Bombs are delightful bite-sized festive treats featuring maraschino cherries enveloped in a creamy mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla, then coated in white chocolate and rolled in crushed graham crackers and pecans for a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and crunchy textures.
Ingredients
Cherry Mixture
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating
- 1 cup white chocolate chips, melted
- ½ cup crushed graham crackers
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the Cherry Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, creamy, and lump-free for a luscious base to coat the cherries.
- Coat the Cherries: Gently fold in the drained maraschino cherries ensuring each cherry is evenly enveloped in the creamy mixture, creating the flavorful center of the bombs.
- Shape the Cherry Bombs: Using a small spoon or your hands, form the mixture into bite-sized balls. Lay them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes until firm to hold their shape during coating.
- Melt the White Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips using 30-second intervals, stirring after each until smooth and glossy, perfect for dipping.
- Coat the Cherry Bombs: Dip each chilled cherry ball into the melted white chocolate to coat completely, then roll them in crushed graham crackers and chopped pecans for a festive crunchy exterior.
- Chill Before Serving: Place the coated cherry bombs back on the tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set the coating and enhance the flavors before enjoying the creamy, crunchy, and sweet holiday treat.
Notes
- Ensure cherries are well-patted dry to prevent the cream cheese mixture from becoming too thin.
- Use softened cream cheese for easy mixing and smooth texture.
- Freezing the balls before dipping helps maintain the shape and prevents chocolate from sliding off.
- For added flavor, you can toast the pecans lightly before chopping.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days.
