Total Time: 40 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling)
Active Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking/Cooling Time: 15 minutes hands-off, plus 2 hours inactive chilling
Difficulty Level: Easy
Yield: Approximately 24-28 balls
A Festive No-Bake Treat
These Christmas Cherry Ripe Balls are a delightful, no-bake festive confection that captures the iconic flavors of the beloved Cherry Ripe chocolate bar in a festive, bite-sized form. With a chewy, coconut-cherry center enrobed in rich dark chocolate and a hint of holiday sparkle, they are the perfect make-ahead treat for holiday platters, edible gifts, or a sweet finish to your Christmas feast. Requiring no oven and simple techniques, they are a joy to make with family during the busy holiday season.
Ingredients
For the Cherry Coconut Filling:
200g (7 oz) glace (candied) cherries, finely chopped
200g (2 ½ cups) desiccated coconut (fine, unsweetened)
395g (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons cherry jam or conserve
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A pinch of fine sea salt
For the Chocolate Coating & Decoration:
300g (10.5 oz) good quality dark chocolate (45-70% cocoa), chopped
1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening (optional, for a smoother coating)
Festive sprinkles, edible glitter, or extra finely chopped glace cherries for decoration
Equipment
Food processor (optional, for finer chopping)
Medium mixing bowl
Baking sheets or trays
Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
Heatproof bowl for melting chocolate
Saucepan for double-boiler (or microwave)
Forks or dipping tools
Wire rack (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Chop Cherries: Finely chop the glace cherries. A food processor pulsed a few times makes this quick and easy, but a sharp knife works perfectly.
Combine: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped cherries, desiccated coconut, sweetened condensed milk, cherry jam, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt.
Mix Thoroughly: Stir until all ingredients are very well combined and a sticky, cohesive mixture forms. It should hold together when pinched.
Step 2: Shape the Balls
Portion: Using slightly damp hands (to prevent sticking), scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture. Roll firmly between your palms into smooth, even balls, about 3cm (1.25 inches) in diameter.
Chill: Place the shaped balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until very firm. This step is crucial for easy dipping and prevents the balls from falling apart in the warm chocolate.
Step 3: Coat in Chocolate
Melt Chocolate: About 10 minutes before the chilling time is complete, melt the chocolate. Using a double-boiler (a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water), gently melt the chocolate, stirring frequently. Alternatively, melt in a microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each burst. Once smooth and fully melted, stir in the coconut oil (if using) until combined. This gives the coating a lovely shine and a slightly thinner consistency for easier dipping.
Dip: Remove the cherry coconut balls from the fridge. Using a fork or dipping tool, submerge one ball at a time into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s completely covered. Gently tap the fork on the edge of the bowl to allow excess chocolate to drip off.
Decorate & Set: Transfer the coated ball back onto the parchment-lined tray. Immediately sprinkle with festive decorations while the chocolate is still wet. Repeat with all balls, working efficiently.
Final Set: Allow the chocolate to set completely at room temperature (about 1 hour) or in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes for a quicker set.
Serving & Storage
Serving: Serve chilled or at room temperature. Arrange on a festive platter for your Christmas table or package in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for heartfelt homemade gifts.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Chef’s Notes & Tips
Texture is Key: For the best texture, ensure your coconut is fine desiccated coconut, not shredded. The finer texture helps the balls bind together beautifully.
Cherry Variations: For a more intense cherry flavor, you can add ¼ teaspoon of natural cherry extract to the filling. If glace cherries are too sweet for your taste, you can substitute half with dried tart cherries.
Chocolate Choice: The richness of dark chocolate perfectly balances the sweet filling, but you can use milk chocolate if preferred. For a truly decadent touch, drizzle a little white chocolate over the top after the dark chocolate sets.
Make Ahead: These are an excellent make-ahead treat. The filled balls can be chilled for up to 2 days before dipping, or the finished balls can be stored for the full two weeks.
Nutrition Information
(Per ball, based on yield of 24)
Calories: ~185 kcal
Total Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 35mg
Total Carbohydrates: 24g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 21g
Protein: 2g