There’s something utterly delightful about these tiny treats that bring a smile to any dessert platter. The Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe combines sweet cherries, smooth chocolate, and a touch of almond for a whimsical bite-sized dessert that's as fun to make as it is to eat.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe is pure magic wrapped in chocolate. I fell in love the first time I made it—there’s something so charming about those little almond ears and noses that make each bite feel special. Beyond looks, the mix of juicy cherries and creamy chocolate hits all the right notes.
- Playful Presentation: These mice aren’t just tasty—they’re adorable and will wow guests of all ages.
- Simple Ingredients: With pantry staples and a few special touches like maraschino cherries, it’s easy to pull together.
- Customizable Flavors: You can swap almond extract for vanilla or coconut to better suit your taste.
- Perfect for Parties: They’re bite-sized, mess-free, and a crowd-pleaser for holidays, showers, or just everyday indulgence.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in the Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe serves a purpose, creating a balance of flavor and texture that makes each mouse irresistible. From the softness of the dough to the silky chocolate coating, each element is carefully chosen.
- Maraschino cherries: Drained and dried cherries form the juicy core and “body” of each mouse—make sure to keep the stems for that classic tail effect!
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter keeps the dough rich and smooth without making it greasy.
- Corn syrup: Adds softness and helps the dough stick gently around the cherry without cracking.
- Almond extract: Provides a nutty, fragrant flavor that pairs beautifully with the Hershey’s almond Kisses and the cherries.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for turning the dough into a sweet, pliable texture perfect for wrapping around the cherries.
- Milk chocolate melting wafers: Melted perfectly to coat the mice and add a smooth, glossy finish.
- Milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses: These are the cutest “heads,” fitting perfectly on the cherry body with their familiar shape and nutty crunch inside.
- Almond slices: Thin and crisp, these become the ears — simple but charming!
- Black decorative icing: Used for the eyes, giving each mouse an adorable, expressive face.
- Red sugar pearls: Tiny pops of color for noses, completing the mouse look with a sweet touch.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this recipe is. Over time, I’ve started swapping almond extract for vanilla for a more subtle twist, and sometimes use dark chocolate wafers if I’m after a richer flavor. Feel free to make it yours!
- Variation: For a holiday-themed batch, I added a sprinkle of cinnamon to the dough—gave the mice a warm seasonal flair that my guests adored.
- Diet-friendly swap: You can try using sugar-free powdered sugar to lighten it up or opt for sugar-free Kisses if you want to cut down sugar but keep flavor.
- Flavor swaps: Coconut extract adds a lovely tropical vibe, which I find refreshing if you want something unexpected but still delightful.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Step 1: Create the Soft, Sweet Dough
Start by combining the softened butter, corn syrup, and almond extract in a large bowl. I usually use a hand mixer on medium speed to get everything smooth and perfectly combined—this part sets the stage for a dough that’s easy to work with but not sticky. Then, gradually sift in your powdered sugar and knead gently until you have a soft dough. It should feel like a buttery, sweet clay—if it’s too sticky, toss in a little more powdered sugar or chill it for a few minutes.
Step 2: Wrap Each Cherry in Dough
Pinch off about half a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball, then flatten into a little disc with your palms. Nestle one maraschino cherry right in the center and gently wrap the dough around it—IMPORTANTLY, keep the stem poking out as the mouse’s tail. Roll carefully to smooth the dough without breaking off the stem. This step took me a few tries to get confident, but once you find your rhythm, it’s super satisfying. Place each mouse on parchment-lined trays as you go.
Step 3: Chill Until Firm
Pop your trays into the fridge for 2 to 4 hours. Chilling is key for making sure the mice hold their shape when you dip them in chocolate later. Don’t skip this part—it made all the difference in keeping everything neat and tidy.
Step 4: Dip and Decorate the Mice
Once firm, melt your milk chocolate wafers until silky smooth. My favorite way is the microwave, heating in short 30-second bursts and stirring in between to prevent overheating. Holding each cherry by its stem, dip it fully into the chocolate, then lay it on its side on the baking sheet. Before the chocolate sets, press a milk chocolate almond Kiss on the side opposite the tail for the head, slipping two almond slices between the Kiss and cherry to create ears.
For the cutest finishing touch, I use a toothpick to apply a tiny dot of melted chocolate on each Kiss and stick on a red sugar pearl for the nose. Black decorative icing is perfect for little eyes—just dot two eyes on each head for a lifelike look. Pop back into the fridge so the chocolate hardens, and voilà—your mice are ready to charm and delight!
Top Tip
From my experiments with this recipe, I’ve learned some handy tricks that really help things go smoothly and make those mice look their best.
- Soft Dough Made Easy: Don’t rush to add too much powdered sugar—start small and adjust as you go. If dough feels sticky, chilling for 10-15 minutes helps a lot.
- Chocolate Dipping Mastery: Keep your melted chocolate warm, either in a candy melter or on very low heat in a double boiler, to prevent hardening mid-dip.
- Stem Care: Handle cherries gently to keep the stems intact – they’re the mice tails, and losing them changes the look completely.
- Eye Placement: Use a toothpick to dot tiny eyes with icing instead of piping directly from the tube. It’s easier to control tiny dots this way and looks neater.
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a fan of sprinkling a little extra red sugar pearls around the serving platter to echo the noses—it adds a festive sparkle! Sometimes I tuck tiny sprigs of fresh mint nearby for a pop of green that contrasts beautifully with the chocolate browns and cherry reds.
Side Dishes
These mice stand on their own as a sweet treat, but I like pairing them with a light cup of coffee or chai tea. For parties, they go great alongside a cheese board or even vanilla bean ice cream for a whimsical dessert bar.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthday parties or showers, I once arranged these mice on a tiered dessert stand with small leaf-shaped wafer cookies to mimic a “field” where the mice live—it’s a fun way to add storybook charm. Miniature cardboard wheelbarrows or little cups also make great individual serving vessels.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover mice in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep nicely for up to three weeks—just make sure they’re well covered to avoid absorbing any fridge odors or becoming too dry.
Freezing
Freezing works surprisingly well! I wrap them individually in parchment paper and then place them in a freezer-safe container. When you're ready to enjoy, pop them in the fridge to defrost overnight to preserve their delicate shapes.
Reheating
No need to reheat these little guys — they’re best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. Just take them out of the fridge 10-15 minutes before serving to let the chocolate soften slightly for that creamy melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Fresh cherries can be used, but make sure they’re pitted and dried thoroughly because fresh cherries have higher water content which may make the dough soggy and difficult to wrap. Maraschino cherries are preferred because they’re sweeter and have firmer texture suitable for this recipe.
You can easily substitute almond extract with vanilla or coconut extract for a different but equally delicious flavor. Almond extract complements the Hershey’s almond Kisses perfectly, but don’t worry if you need to skip it!
The almond Kisses have a distinct shape that mimics a mouse’s head nicely, and their nutty flavor pairs wonderfully with the almond extract in the dough. They also add texture and visual appeal, making the mice look more lifelike and festive.
Absolutely! You can make these chocolate cherry mice up to three days ahead if stored properly in the fridge. Just keep them covered airtight, and bring them to room temperature a bit before serving for the best taste and texture.
Final Thoughts
Making this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe always brings a bit of joy into my kitchen — it’s one of those charming desserts that’s easy to make yet feels special. I love how each mouse has its own personality, and I hope you find as much fun making them as I do! They’re perfect for gifting, celebrations, or just a sweet surprise for yourself. Go ahead, give it a try and let those little mice bring some sweetness to your day.
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Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 30 mice
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This fun and festive dessert recipe creates adorable Chocolate Cherry Mice using maraschino cherries, smooth milk chocolate, and almond Hershey’s Kisses. Perfect for holiday treats or parties, these bite-sized mice feature a soft sugar dough coating, dipped in rich chocolate, and decorated with almond ears and cute faces for a whimsical presentation.
Ingredients
Dough
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar sifted
Other Ingredients
- 20 ounces maraschino cherries with stems, well drained and dried
- 10 ounce milk chocolate melting wafers
- 30 milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped, for the heads
- Almond slices for the ears
- Black decorative icing for the eyes
- Red sugar pearls for the nose
Instructions
- Prepare baking trays: Line two baking trays with parchment paper and set aside to keep the mice from sticking during assembly and chilling.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine softened butter, corn syrup, and almond extract. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, mix until smooth and fully combined. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar into the bowl, kneading together until a soft, flexible dough forms.
- Shape the cherry bodies: Pinch off approximately ½ tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball, then flatten into discs using the palms of your hands. Place a drained maraschino cherry in the center of the disc with the stem exposed and wrap the dough gently around it, forming a smooth ball without covering the stem.
- Chill the dough-covered cherries: Place the shaped cherries on the prepared trays and transfer to the refrigerator. Chill for 2 to 4 hours until the dough is firm to the touch.
- Melt the chocolate: While the dough chills, melt the milk chocolate wafers until smooth. This can be done in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments with stirring, or using a double boiler or candy melting pot over low heat.
- Dip the mice in chocolate: Holding each cherry by the stem, dip it entirely into the melted chocolate. Lay it on its side on the parchment-lined tray to set.
- Assemble the mouse heads: Before the chocolate sets, press the flat bottom of a milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kiss onto the opposite side of the stem as the mouse’s head. Place two almond slices between the cherry body and the Kiss head to form ears.
- Decorate the faces: Use a toothpick or skewer to apply a small drop of melted chocolate onto the tip of the Kiss to attach a red sugar pearl for the nose. Then, use black decorative icing to dot two eyes onto the Kiss. Allow decorations to set.
- Chill until serving: Place the completed Chocolate Cherry Mice in the refrigerator until ready to serve, to keep them firm and fresh.
Notes
- Use premium chocolate melting wafers like Ghirardelli for best texture and flavor instead of typical candy melts.
- If dough is too sticky, add more powdered sugar or chill briefly to make handling easier.
- When melting chocolate in a microwave, heat in 30-second increments stirring in between to prevent burning.
- A candy melter or double boiler maintains smoothness and warmth of chocolate while dipping.
- You can substitute other flavors of Hershey Kisses, but make sure the chocolate head matches the body chocolate.
- Use candy eyeballs, chocolate drops, or black icing for the eyes as desired.
- Almond extract complements the almond Hershey Kisses well; vanilla or coconut extracts are good alternatives.
- Store leftover mice in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
- Let your feedback and review help improve this recipe for others!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mouse
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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