Description

Delightful and whimsical Chocolate Cherry Mice are a fun and festive treat perfect for parties and holidays. Featuring maraschino cherries dipped in melted milk chocolate with Hershey’s kisses as heads, garnished with sliced almonds for ears and detailed with icing and small red candies, these bite-sized confections combine fruity sweetness with creamy chocolate for a charming dessert everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Coating

1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening

Mouse Components

20 maraschino cherries with stems
20 Hershey’s kisses
Sliced almonds (enough for matching sizes and extras for breakage)

Decoration

Black icing writer
Small red candies (such as dragees or cinnamon candies)

Instructions

Melt the chocolate: Place the milk chocolate chips and shortening in a small microwave-safe mixing bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until the chips are mostly melted. Stop heating and continue stirring until the mixture is fully melted and smooth.
Prepare work surface: Spread a sheet of parchment paper on your work area to place the mice as you assemble them, ensuring an easy clean-up and preventing sticking.
Dip the cherries: Hold each maraschino cherry by its stem and dab off any excess juice with a paper towel. Dip the cherry into the melted chocolate, coating it well, then lift and place it on the parchment paper. Position the cherry to control how the “tail” (stem) of the mouse sets.
Add the mouse’s head: Lean a Hershey’s kiss, flat side down, onto the top of each chocolate-coated cherry to form the mouse’s head.
Let the base set partially: Repeat dipping and assembling for about half the cherries first to allow the chocolate to begin setting slightly before adding more details. This helps keep the decorations secure.
Attach the ears: Select sliced almonds of similar size for the ears. Break the narrower tip off each to create a fitting shape. Wedge each almond ear carefully between the Hershey’s kiss and the cherry body.
Draw the eyes: Using a black icing writer with a fine tip, dot two small eyes onto each Hershey’s kiss to give the mice character and expression.
Add the nose: Dab a small amount of melted chocolate onto the tip of the Hershey’s kiss using a toothpick, then gently place a small red candy on the dabbed chocolate to form the mouse’s nose.
Set and serve: Allow the assembled mice to sit undisturbed until the chocolate hardens fully. Once set, gently peel the mice off the parchment paper and serve as a cute and tasty treat.

Notes

Ensure cherries are well drained and patted dry before dipping to avoid watery chocolate.
Use parchment paper or wax paper to prevent sticking while chocolate sets.
Work in batches to allow chocolate to set properly between decorating steps.
If the melted chocolate begins to harden while working, gently rewarm in short microwave bursts.
This recipe can be adapted with dark or white chocolate depending on preference.
Store finished mice in a cool place to keep chocolate firm, and consume within 2-3 days for best freshness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Melting (Microwave melting) and Assembly
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chocolate cherry mice, Hershey's kiss treats, maraschino cherry desserts, holiday treats, fun party dessert, chocolate dipped cherries