She Strengthens

Sweet Treats for Your Loved Ones

This Valentine’s Day, surprise your special someone with a delicious and thoughtful gift: homemade chocolate-covered cherries. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen tools, you can create these bite-sized treats that are sure to impress.

Gather Your Ingredients

To make these tasty treats, you’ll need:

• 1 (10-ounce) package of frozen cherries
• ½ cup of agave nectar
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon of almond extract
• 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder
• 1 tablespoon of water
• 1 cup of dark chocolate (73%)

Prepare the Cherry Filling

In a medium saucepan, combine the frozen cherries, agave nectar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a simmer.

Thicken the Mixture

In a small bowl, whisk together the arrowroot powder and water to form a smooth paste. Add the paste to the cherry mixture and stir constantly for about 1 minute, or until the mixture thickens. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to ensure the arrowroot is evenly distributed.

Melt the Chocolate

In a separate saucepan, melt the dark chocolate over very low heat, stirring occasionally.

Assemble the Candies

Spoon a small amount of melted chocolate into each candy mold. Add a single cherry, along with some of the surrounding sauce, on top of the chocolate. Cover with another layer of melted chocolate. Repeat this process until all the ingredients are used up.

Chill and Serve

Place the candy molds in the refrigerator to set for about 20-30 minutes. Once set, remove the candies from the molds and serve. These sweet treats are perfect for Valentine’s Day, but they’re also a great way to show your loved ones you care any time of the year.

Tips and Variations

For a different twist, try using milk chocolate or white chocolate instead of dark chocolate. You can also experiment with different flavor combinations, such as adding a pinch of salt or a sprinkle of cinnamon to the cherry filling. Whatever you choose, these homemade chocolate-covered cherries are sure to be a hit!