There’s something undeniably charming about bite-sized treats that look as delightful as they taste. The Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe is one of those fun, whimsical desserts that bring a smile to everyone’s face, combining juicy cherries and creamy chocolate in the form of cute little mice. Trust me, they’re as enjoyable to make as they are to eat!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I still remember the first time I made this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe — it felt like a little craft project and a dessert rolled into one. It’s not just about how adorable these mice look, but the way the flavors meld so perfectly: sweet cherries wrapped in a buttery dough, dipped in rich chocolate, finished with almond ears and delicate details. It’s a definite conversation starter at any gathering!
- Absolutely adorable presentation: These mice are perfect for parties or holiday treats, bringing a whimsical touch to your dessert table.
- Simple ingredients: You probably already have most of what you need, and the rest are easy to find at any grocery store.
- Fun and engaging: Making these feels more like a craft than baking, which makes it enjoyable for adults and kids alike.
- Deliciously balanced flavors: Sweet cherries, buttery dough, smooth chocolate, and nutty almonds make every bite memorable.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here was picked to complement the others perfectly. The cherries provide a juicy burst that cuts through the sweetness, while the almond extract echoes the almond ears, tying the flavors all together. Let’s dive into why each component works its magic.
- Maraschino cherries with stems: These are essential because their stems serve as mouse tails, and their sweetness pairs perfectly with chocolate.
- Unsalted butter: Gives the dough richness and helps it hold together smoothly without overwhelming saltiness.
- Corn syrup: Adds a subtle sweetness and gives the dough pliability so it wraps nicely around the cherries.
- Almond extract: Offers a nutty aroma that pairs beautifully with almond slices and chocolate.
- Powdered sugar: Makes the dough soft and sweet without gritty texture.
- Milk chocolate melting wafers: Melt easily, coating each mouse for a glossy finish and extra chocolate goodness.
- Milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses: Use these for the heads of the mice, adding charm and more almond flavor.
- Almond slices: Create the mouse ears and add a crunchy contrast.
- Black decorative icing: Perfect for painting on cute, tiny eyes.
- Red sugar pearls: These become adorable noses that pop with color and texture.
Make It Your Way
While I adore the classic way this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe comes together, there’s plenty of room to add your own twist. I like to swap out the almond extract for vanilla when I want a milder flavor, or sometimes try dark chocolate wafers for a richer feel. Make these mice fit your tastes and occasions effortlessly.
- Variation: When I tried using coconut extract instead of almond, it introduced a fun tropical note that my family enjoyed just as much!
- Dietary swaps: You can use dairy-free butter and vegan chocolate to make this recipe suitable for special diets.
- Seasonal changes: Red or green sugar pearls work great around Christmas to amp up the festive vibe.
- Difficulty levels: Take your time wrapping the dough around cherries the first few times – it gets easier with practice.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up the Sweet Dough
Start by beating the softened unsalted butter, corn syrup, and almond extract together until the mixture is perfectly smooth. I use a hand mixer for this — it saves time and ensures the ingredients blend evenly. Then, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, kneading it into a soft, pliable dough. If it feels sticky, sprinkle on a bit more powdered sugar until it's workable but still soft.
Step 2: Wrap the Cherries
Pinch off walnut-sized portions of dough and flatten each into discs. The trick is to gently place a maraschino cherry, stem sticking out, in the center and wrap the dough around it without breaking the stem (that's your mouse tail!). Roll these carefully into smooth balls and arrange them on a parchment-lined tray. This step takes a bit of patience, but the result is worth it.
Step 3: Chill and Prepare the Chocolate
Pop your tray of dough-wrapped cherries into the fridge for about 2 to 4 hours until they're firm—this helps the chocolate coating adhere better. Meanwhile, melt the milk chocolate wafers slowly over a double boiler or in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently to keep it smooth.
Step 4: Dip, Decorate, and Assemble
Hold each cherry by its stem and dip it into the melted chocolate, coating it completely and laying it on its side on the parchment. While the chocolate is still melted, press a Hershey’s Kiss onto the opposite side to form a tiny mouse head, then tuck two almond slices between for ears. Use a toothpick to add a dab of melted chocolate to the tip of the Kiss to attach red sugar pearls for noses. Finally, dot on black icing for the eyes. It’s a little detail work, but so satisfying!
Top Tip
Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that make this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe come together more smoothly, especially when it comes to shaping and dipping.
- Keep the dough cool: If the dough gets too warm and sticky, pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Dip carefully: Holding the cherry by the stem is key to prevent breaking. Tilt the bowl and use minimal swirling to keep the stem intact.
- Smooth chocolate: Using a candy melter or double boiler prevents overheating, which can seize chocolate and ruin the finish.
- Decorate fast: Work quickly to attach noses and ears before the chocolate sets to ensure they stick perfectly.
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with the classic black icing eyes and red sugar pearl noses—they really bring the mice to life. Sometimes, I add a dusting of powdered sugar for a subtle frosted effect that looks charming, especially during winter gatherings.
Side Dishes
Serve these little mice alongside a warm cup of coffee or tea for the perfect afternoon indulgence. They also pair beautifully with a rich cheese board or fresh fruit platter for a unique dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
One favorite presentation trick is to arrange the mice climbing up a small springform pan or bundt pan for a playful “mouse hill.” For holidays, I sometimes nestle them in a bed of crushed cookies or green tinted coconut to mimic grass — it’s sure to wow your guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once made, store your chocolate cherry mice in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I find they keep beautifully for up to 3 weeks, still tasting fresh and adorable long after making them.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch ahead of time, freezing these works well. Just arrange them in a single layer on a tray to freeze solid before transferring to a sealed container or bag. When thawed in the fridge, they maintain charm and flavor with no issues.
Reheating
Since these are more of a chilled treat, I recommend enjoying them cold or at room temperature instead of reheating, to keep the chocolate coating firm and the dough texture perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Fresh cherries won’t work quite the same since the recipe relies on sweet, stemmed maraschino cherries that have a softer texture and the right level of sweetness. The stems are also important for the mice tails—fresh cherries lose their stems easily and are less pliable.
Vanilla extract is a great substitute that will still complement the chocolate flavor. Coconut extract also works well if you’re after a slightly different but delicious twist.
Slow and steady is the key: melt chocolate in short 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring well between each round, or melt over a double boiler with gentle heat. Avoid any contact with even a small amount of water, which can cause seizing.
Absolutely! Kids will love the hands-on nature of shaping dough around cherries and decorating the mice’s faces, with supervision during the chocolate melting and dipping parts. It’s a fun, safe way to get them involved in the kitchen.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it manages to be both festive and fun, simple yet impressive. The first time I made these, my friends couldn’t stop smiling at how cute they were—and of course, eating them was the best part. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these little chocolate mice as much as I do. Give it a try, and let this delightful recipe become a sweet tradition in your kitchen, too!
Print
Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 30 mice
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Chocolate Cherry Mice are adorable, festive treats featuring maraschino cherries wrapped in a soft almond-flavored dough, dipped in milk chocolate, and decorated with Hershey’s Kisses, almond slices, and candy details to create cute mouse shapes. Perfect for holiday parties or fun gifts.
Ingredients
Mouse Dough
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar sifted
Filling and Decoration
- 20 ounces maraschino cherries with stems, well drained and dried
- 10 ounce milk chocolate melting wafers
- 30 milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped, for the heads
- Almond slices for the ears
- Black decorative icing for the eyes
- Red sugar pearls for the nose
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking trays with parchment paper and set aside to place your treats on later.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, add the softened butter, corn syrup, and almond extract. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to blend until smooth and fully combined.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar into the bowl and knead together until a soft, pliable dough forms.
- Form Dough Discs: Pinch off approximately ½ tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball, then flatten the balls in the palms to form small discs.
- Wrap Cherries: Place a dried maraschino cherry with stem into the center of each disc and wrap the dough around it, keeping the stems exposed as the tails of the mice.
- Smooth Dough: Gently roll each wrapped cherry in your palms to smooth the dough, being careful not to break off the stems. Place them on the prepared baking sheet as you go.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough-wrapped cherries on the baking trays for 2 to 4 hours until firm.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the milk chocolate wafers until smooth using either 30-second increments in the microwave with stirring, a double boiler, or a candy melting pot over low heat.
- Dip Wrapped Cherries: Holding each cherry by the stem, dip it into the melted chocolate to coat the dough-covered body completely. Lay them on their sides on the parchment-lined trays.
- Attach Heads and Ears: Immediately press a milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kiss onto the opposite side of the stem to form the mouse’s head. Place two almond slices between the cherry body and the Kiss to form the ears.
- Decorate Faces: Use a toothpick to dab a tiny drop of melted chocolate onto the tip of the Kiss and attach a red sugar pearl for the nose. Then, use black decorative icing to dot two eyes onto each Kiss.
- Chill Finished Mice: Refrigerate the decorated chocolate cherry mice until ready to serve, allowing the chocolate to fully set.
Notes
- Use premium melting wafers like Ghirardelli for best texture and flavor rather than generic chocolate candy melts.
- The dough should be soft and flexible; add additional powdered sugar if sticky or chill briefly if needed to handle easier.
- When melting chocolate in microwave, use a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, stirring thoroughly between each to avoid burning.
- A double boiler or candy melter is ideal to keep chocolate smooth and warm while dipping cherries.
- Any flavor of Hershey’s Kiss can be used but match the head chocolate to the body chocolate for cohesive flavor.
- Candy eyeballs, chocolate drops, or different icing styles can be substituted to decorate the eyes.
- Almond extract provides a nice complement to the almond Kisses, but vanilla or coconut extract are good alternatives.
- Store leftover mice covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks to maintain freshness.
- Leave a review and rating to share your feedback and support recipe development.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mouse
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Leave a Reply