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
Scale
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.
