Brandied Cherry Balls Recipe

By traciesparks

These special candies look impressive but are actually quite easy to prepare. The brandy really complements the cherries and chocolate.—homebody2, TOH Online Community

Ingredients

• DRIZZLE:
• 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
• White candy coating, chopped
• Pink paste food coloring

Preparation

Step 1

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.


Nutrition Facts: 1 candy equals 86 calories, 3 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 3 mg cholesterol, 8 mg sodium, 15 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, trace protein. Diabetic Exchange: 1 starch.

Brandied Cherry Balls published in Taste of Home Christmas Annual Annual 2009, p114