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.

A round white plate with a rough edge holds ten chocolate mouse-shaped treats. Each treat has two parts stacked: a larger round chocolate body and a smaller chocolate head in front. The heads have two almond slices for ears and two small black dots for eyes. A small red round candy forms the nose on each mouse, and a thin red string sticks out from the back, resembling a tail. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with part of a gold-wrapped chocolate and a red candy tray visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe

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.

The image shows a white speckled plate filled with small chocolate mice arranged in neat rows. Each mouse has two oval-shaped layers: a larger, smooth, round chocolate body and a smaller chocolate nose cone, with two thin light almond slices placed on each side as ears. A red candy ball is on the tip of each nose, and a red cherry stem sticks out from the back of each mouse to form a tail. The mice have tiny black dots for eyes on their nose cones. Surrounding the plate are festive items, including a white marbled surface under everything, small chocolates wrapped in gold foil, a pine cone, a bowl with red candy pearls, and a cup of light-colored drink. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of fresh maraschino cherries with stems, a small slab of unsalted butter, a small white bowl of corn syrup, a small white bowl of almond extract, a small white bowl of sifted powdered sugar, smooth milk chocolate melting wafers in a neat pile, unwrapped milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses arranged in a cluster, a small white bowl of almond slices, a small white bowl of black decorative icing, a small white bowl of red sugar pearls, whole uncracked brown eggs placed symmetrically, all arranged on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Chocolate Cherry Mice - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

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.

What if I don’t have almond extract?

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!

Why use Hershey’s almond Kisses for the heads?

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.

Can I make these ahead of time for a party?

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.