Get ready to discover your new favorite sweet treat! These Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Coconut Truffles are the ultimate no-bake dessert, packing an incredible punch of flavor into one bite-sized package. Imagine a sweet, chewy coconut and cherry center, all wrapped up in a rich, decadent dark chocolate shell. They look and taste like they came from a gourmet candy shop, but you can easily make them in your own kitchen. Whether you need a stunning dessert for a holiday platter, a thoughtful homemade gift, or just a little indulgence for yourself, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Coconut Truffles Recipe
If you’re looking for a simple yet elegant dessert, you’ve come to the right place. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort.
- Incredibly Easy: With no baking required, this is a simple mix-and-roll recipe that anyone can master.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The combination of rich dark chocolate, sweet coconut, and tart maraschino cherries is a classic for a reason. It’s pure bliss!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These truffles are perfect for preparing in advance. They store beautifully, making them ideal for parties and holiday gift-giving.
- Gourmet Appeal: Despite being easy to make, they have a sophisticated look and taste that will impress everyone. For another impressive dessert, try our Black Forest Cake Roll.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
For the Filling:
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is the magic ingredient that binds everything together, creating a sweet and chewy texture.
- Shredded Sweetened Coconut: Provides the signature coconut flavor and delightful chewiness.
- Maraschino Cherries: Make sure they are well-drained and finely chopped. They add a burst of sweet, fruity flavor.
- Almond Extract: A small amount enhances the cherry flavor beautifully.
- Powdered Sugar: Helps to thicken the mixture, making it easier to roll.
For the Chocolate Coating:
- Dark Chocolate Chips or Wafers: Using good quality chocolate makes all the difference. Wafers melt more smoothly, but chips work great too.
- Coconut Oil: A little bit of coconut oil helps the chocolate melt into a smooth, glossy coating that sets perfectly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Coconut Truffles is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
- Prepare the Cherries: First, ensure your maraschino cherries are very well-drained. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove as much moisture as possible, then chop them finely. This step is crucial to prevent the filling from being too wet.
- Mix the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, shredded coconut, chopped cherries, almond extract, and powdered sugar. Stir until everything is thoroughly mixed. The mixture should be thick and a bit sticky.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the filling makes it much easier to handle and roll into balls.
- Roll the Truffles: Once chilled, scoop out about one tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll it between your hands to form a smooth ball. Place the rolled truffles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. For a different but equally delicious no-bake treat, check out our Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie.
- Freeze the Centers: Place the baking sheet with the truffle centers into the freezer for about 15-20 minutes. This helps them hold their shape when dipped in warm chocolate.
- Melt the Chocolate: While the centers are freezing, melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil. You can do this in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, or over a double boiler. Stir until the chocolate is completely smooth and glossy.
- Dip the Truffles: Remove the truffle centers from the freezer. Using a fork or a dipping tool, dip one truffle at a time into the melted chocolate. Turn to coat it completely, then lift it out and let any excess chocolate drip off.
- Set and Serve: Place the chocolate-coated truffle back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. You can top it with extra coconut shreds or sprinkles if you like. Repeat with the remaining truffles. Let them set at room temperature or in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes until the chocolate is firm.
Tips for Perfect Truffles
Follow these expert tips to ensure your homemade Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Coconut Truffles are absolutely flawless.
- Dry Those Cherries: Moisture is the enemy of a firm truffle filling. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can from the cherries before chopping them.
- Don’t Skip the Chilling: Chilling and freezing the filling are essential steps. A cold center is key to preventing the truffles from falling apart in the warm chocolate.
- Choose Quality Chocolate: The flavor of your truffles depends heavily on the quality of your chocolate coating. A good quality dark chocolate (60-70% cacao) provides a perfect contrast to the sweet filling. If you love homemade candies, you might also enjoy these Homemade Peppermint Patties.
- Use Coconut Oil for a Smooth Finish: Adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to the melting chocolate creates a silky-smooth coating that’s easier to work with and gives a beautiful, glossy finish.
How to Store Your Truffles
Proper storage is key to keeping your truffles fresh and delicious. Store your finished Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Coconut Truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to three months. Just be sure to let them thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! For an adult twist, you can soak the chopped cherries in a tablespoon or two of rum or cherry liqueur (like Kirsch) for about 30 minutes before adding them to the filling. Be sure to drain them well.
You can, but the filling will be less sweet and may have a slightly drier texture. If you use unsweetened coconut, you might want to add another tablespoon or two of powdered sugar to compensate.
These truffles are perfect for making ahead! You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze them for up to three months.
If your filling is too sticky, it likely means the cherries had too much moisture or the mixture needs more chilling time. You can try adding a bit more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s manageable. Also, ensure you chill the mixture for at least 30 minutes before rolling.
For the best flavor and smoothest melting, we recommend using high-quality dark chocolate melting wafers or a chocolate bar (60-70% cacao) chopped into small pieces. Chocolate chips can also be used, but they contain stabilizers that can sometimes make them harder to melt smoothly.
The Best Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Coconut Truffles Recipe
Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Coconut Truffles (Easy No-Bake Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Ensure maraschino cherries are well-drained. Pat them dry with a paper towel and chop them finely.
- In a medium bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, shredded coconut, chopped cherries, almond extract, and powdered sugar. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make the mixture easier to handle.
- Scoop one tablespoon of the chilled mixture at a time and roll it into a smooth ball. Place the truffles on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to help the truffles hold their shape.
- Melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave or over a double boiler until completely smooth.
- Dip each frozen truffle center into the melted chocolate, ensuring it's fully coated. Let any excess chocolate drip off.
- Place coated truffles back on the parchment paper and let them set at room temperature or in the refrigerator until the chocolate is firm.
Notes
Tip 2: Use a fork or a candy dipping tool for easier coating and a cleaner finish.
Tip 3: For an extra decorative touch, drizzle the set truffles with melted white chocolate.
Share Your Masterpiece!
We are so excited for you to try this amazing recipe for Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Coconut Truffles! There’s nothing better than sharing a delicious, homemade treat with the people you love. If you make these truffles, we’d be thrilled to see them! Snap a photo and share your beautiful creations on Pinterest. Happy cooking!
