Description
Delight in the classic American treat of Cherry Mash Truffles, featuring a rich cherry-flavored dough blended with creamy peanut butter and semisweet chocolate, coated with crunchy salted peanuts. These no-bake, bite-sized truffles combine sweet maraschino cherries and smooth chocolate for an irresistible dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Truffle Base
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 package (3 ounces) cherry gelatin
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1 jar (10 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
Chocolate Coating
- 4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups salted peanuts, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Truffle Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, cherry gelatin, vanilla extract, and softened butter. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar into the mixture, stirring consistently until a thick dough forms.
- Fold in Cherries: Gently fold the finely chopped maraschino cherries into the dough until evenly distributed throughout.
- Shape the Truffles: Roll the cherry dough into small 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill the Truffles: Refrigerate the shaped balls for at least 1 hour, or until they have firmed up.
- Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips and peanut butter. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
- Add Peanuts to Coating: Stir the finely chopped salted peanuts into the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture.
- Coat the Truffles: Using a fork, dip each chilled cherry ball into the chocolate-peanut coating, ensuring it is completely covered. Allow excess coating to drip off before placing them back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Set the Coating: Return the coated truffles to the refrigerator and chill until the chocolate coating has fully set.
- Store: Keep the finished truffles in an airtight container refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
- For a smoother texture in the coating, pulse the salted peanuts in a food processor before mixing them with the chocolate and peanut butter.
- For added decoration and flavor, drizzle melted white chocolate over the set truffles.
- Ensure the cherries are very finely chopped to maintain a smooth dough consistency.
- Chilling times can be adjusted; longer chilling can improve truffle firmness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
