Brandied Cherry Balls
(from Larissa84’s recipe box)
Source: Taste of Home
Prep time: 45 minutes
Serves 42 people
Categories: Candies, Christmas, Winter, sweets
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried cherries, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry brandy
- 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 6 ounces dark chocolate candy coating, chopped
- 1 tablespoon shortening
- DRIZZLE:
- White candy coating, chopped
- Pink paste food coloring
Directions
-
Place cherries in a small bowl. Cover with brandy; refrigerate overnight.
-
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar; beat until crumbly. Drain cherries, reserving 2 teaspoons brandy. Add cherries and reserved brandy to cream cheese mixture.
-
Roll into 1-1/2-in. balls. Place balls on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and refrigerate for 1 hour.
-
In a microwave, melt the dark chocolate, candy coating and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Return to the baking sheet.
-
For drizzle, melt a small amount of white candy coating in a microwave; stir in food coloring until smooth. Drizzle over candies. Chill until set. Yield: about 3-1/2 dozen.