I adore chocolate covered marshmallows. Plain, flavored, dark chocolate, milk chocolate – I love them all. Well…except for the cheap kind (not even individually wrapped) you get in an egg carton at Easter. Those suck. Patooey!
Anyhow, since I’m working my way through a gallon jug of maraschino cherries, it only makes sense that they found their way into gooey chocolate covered marshmallows. Making marshmallows is really very easy, and they taste so much better than the ones from the store.
Dipping things in chocolate isn’t my favorite thing to do; for some reason I don’t have any problem getting flour and powdered sugar everywhere, and can dig my hands into a big pile of dough, but I really don’t like getting chocolate on my hands.
I pull up my big girl panties and do it, though – because the results are always, always good.
These marshmallows are mild tasting, with little bursts of cherry flavor. I think it complements milk chocolate coating very well. If you want a more distinct cherry taste, or are using a strong dark chocolate for dipping, just add a little cherry flavoring in place of some of the vanilla. You can also add a dash of coloring if you choose.
| Cherry Marshmallows - Dipped in Chocolate | Print |
- 24 maraschino cherries (more or less, to taste)
- ½ cup cold water
- 3 packages of powdered gelatin (like Knox)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ⅔ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (or ½ teaspoons vanilla, ½ teaspoon cherry flavoring)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon shortening or coconut oil
- 12 ounces chocolate, chopped - or you can use good-quality chocolate chips
- Finely chop the maraschino cherries. Roll in paper towels, pressing firmly to remove as much juice as possible. Set aside.
- Line a 9x13" (quarter sheet) pan with plastic. I find it's easiest to do this if I oil the pan lightly first to hold the plastic in place. Lightly oil the plastic.
- Put ½ cup cold water in a large mixing bowl (a sturdy stand mixer works best) and sprinkle the gelatin over the water. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes to soften the gelatin. You don't need to stir it..
- In a medium pan on medium heat, bring sugar, ¼ cup water, and corn syrup to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the mixture boils, stop stirring and let it boil for 2 minutes.
- Pour hot syrup slowly over gelatin mixture, mixing on low speed until well combined.
- Add salt and beat on high until very thick. It doesn't have to hold a stiff peak, but when a beater or spoon is lifted, it should hold shape and not immediately return into the bowl. This could take anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes, depending on your mixer.
- Add vanilla, flavoring if you're using it, and chopped cherries.
- Spread evenly in pan. Allow the marshmallow to set for at least 3 hours. The top should not feel sticky!
- in a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch.
- Lift the plastic wrap and marshmallow out of the pan and set on a level surface. Cut with a lightly greased cookie cutter, dredging each heart in the powdered sugar, cornstarch mix. Flip the marshmallow from hand to hand to dust off excess sugar.
- Melt shortening or coconut oil and chocolate together slowly, using a pan on lowest heat or a microwave at 50% power in 30 second increments. Stir often! Chocolate should be smooth and barely warm. If it is too thick, add a little more oil. Stir, stir, stir!
- Cover a baking sheet with parchment.
- Dip each marshmallow in the chocolate, covering completely. The marshmallows are pretty sturdy - they won't melt. A large serving fork works well for this. Tap against the edge of the bowl or pan to remove excess chocolate. Use a knife or spatula to slide heart onto parchment.
- Chill in refrigerator until chocolate is firm. Decorate if desired, using drizzled chocolate, sprinkles, or edible glitter. Or write names on the hearts with royal icing.
Squeeze out all the juice from the chopped cherries.
Sprinkle gelatin over old water.
Boil sugar, water, and corn syrup.
Slowly add hot syrup to gelatin mixture.
Beat until VERY thick. It looks like it’s falling off the beater, but it’s just hanging there.
Add flavor and cherries and spread into prepared pan.
When firm, cut out shapes using greased cutter.
Dredge hearts in powdered sugar and cornstarch.
Dip!
We’ve still got some cold weather here, and I’m thinking I’ll try one of these plopped into a big mug of hot cocoa tonight.
Enjoy!
Lorinda
Could you sub, say, mini chocolate chips for the cherry bits? Am excited to have a nice marshmallow recipe plus a chocolate-dipping demo. I tried to dip something in chocolate this past week and it was a disaster — next time I’ll use your recipe above.
I think you could. The marshmallow mixture is still a little warm when you spread it, so it would melt them a bit and maybe make some nice chocolate swirls in the marshmallow.
I have a tough time with chocolate dipping too. Since we’re using already tempered chocolate, in theory it should remain that way, as long as you don’t overheat it. But…to be safe, I keep the finished product in the fridge to avoid those nasty white spots (not harmful, just not very attractive).
Once again, you have come up with a delicious recipe using chocolate and cherries. Yum! I will share this delightful recipe.
Thank you so much! Be my Valentine? 🙂
Of course I will! I love sharing and pinning your recipes. ❤️