Known as a gift of courtship and love since the turn of the 20th century, this small, but mighty confection has become synonymous with the holidays.
Regardless of one’s technique for making cordial cherries, a successful outcome requires a preserved cherry coated in warm fondant. After invertase is applied to the fondant coating, the cherry must be covered in chocolate immediately. Over time, the enzyme invertase causes the fondant to liquefy inside the solid chocolate shell. Keep reading as RCI member and board president, Barry Bomboy with Bomboy’s Home Made Candy shares two popular techniques for creating this seemingly mystical confection.
Photos of panned chocolate-covered cherries taken at Fascia's Chocolates
during RCI's 2019 Annual Convention.
Panning
This method requires a panning machine. Start by putting fondant sugar in the bowl, begin the spinning process and add drained cherries. Combine 20 ounces of water, 30 milliliters of invertase and 20 milliliters of flavor in a spray bottle. Spray mixture onto the cherries as they spin. The sugar will adhere to the wet cherries, so continue to spin cherries until you achieve the desired coating thickness. Now cover the cherries in chocolate. Double bottoming or coating the cherries twice with chocolate will prevent leaks. Let cherries set for four to five days before selling. This will make a juicy, flavorful cordial cherry.
Note: Refrigerate spray bottle with remaining invertase mixture when not using.
Dipping
Mix water and fondant sugar (16 ounces of water to eight pounds of fondant sugar). Heat four pounds of the mixture in a double boiler. Be careful not to heat over 140˚F/60˚C. When fluid, add one teaspoon of invertase and 1/2-3/4 teaspoon of flavoring. Dip cherries in fondant, they will set quickly. Finally, coat the cherries with chocolate. As with the previous method, allow cherries to set for four to five days.
Looking to take your cordial cherries to the next
level this holiday? Keep reading below for festive decoration ideas.
Add Color
We’re loving the sophisticated look of red and black colored cocoa butter used for
John
& Kira’s chocolate cherries.
Add Sparkle
These long-stemmed cherries are dipped in colored sugar crystals
for added sparkles, perfect for the holidays.
Add White Chocolate
Consider dipping your cordial
cherries in white chocolate for an unexpected look this holiday season.
Photo credit: The Cordial Cherry
Add Embellishment
This holly berry design sings
holiday. Try the look for yourself with green-colored white chocolate leaves
and red sugar pearls as the holly berries.
Cordial cherries are a cherished holiday tradition for many families. We hope this member insight helps you create your best batches of cordial cherries this holiday season!
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