Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Chocolate Cherry Balls for #FantasticalFoodFight

I messed up last month and didn't get my Slow Cooker Soup on for Fantastical Food Fight,  but I have an excuse.  I had too much going on all month long.

I'm ready for a vacation or at least an afternoon to sit down with a nice cup of tea and some of these.
Chocolate Cherry Balls

I'm calling them Chocolate Cherry Balls, for now.  
But I didn't sit down with tea and eat them all, instead I made them up, put them in the fridge, so now I have a treat for the evenings, or maybe afternoon tea? 
 Basically this event is hosted by Sarah, who was once one of the leaders of the Secret Recipe Club, and did an amazing job at it.  
Fantastical Food Fight
She's hosting a Fantastical Food Fight in which we are invited to make something and share it.  This month the theme is Chocolate Dipped goodies.
You can read all about them here, which includes all the rules and how you can participate as well.

This actually isn't so much of a recipe per se., but a guide.
To start with, make a batch of my Three Way Chocolate Cake.  Restrain yourself from eating it all, but you can eat half of it if you like.  I won't tell.
You really only need half  or even a quarter of the recipe for this.
OK, so 1 1/2 cups of crumbs. 
Bake the cake, let it cool, and cut it into chunks and let them dry out a little.  Mix in with some chocolate frosting,  and set aside.  Drain a jar of Marashino Cherries, reserving the juice.
Chocolate Cherry Balls
I used one of my small scoops and well, I'll let the pictures tell the story.  The recipe follows.
They're a little messy to make, but so good to eat. 
I crumbled up 1 1/2 cups of chocolate cake, added 2-3 tablespoons of homemade chocolate ganache buttercream.
Melted some milk chocolate & dark chocolate together in one bowl  and some white chocolate in another.  Added some hot heavy cream to the each of the chocolates as I wanted a heavy ganache (is there such a thing?).
I then took out a jar of Maraschino Cherries, took out a few of the cherries and let them drain on a paper towel for a little while.
Got out my small scoop, packed the chocolate cake mixture into it, made a divot, placed a cherry in the middle,
Chocolate Cherry Balls

Chocolate Cherry Balls
and then molded the rest of the chocolate cake around it.  Put them in the fridge to reast, and continued to beat the chocolate ganache's until they had a jelly like consistency. 
Chocolate Cherry Balls
Plopped a spoonful of the dark chocolate ganache down on some plastic wrap, put them into the freezer to set up.
Chocolate Cherry Balls
As soon as they were set, I placed each little chocolate ball on top.  Then decided to use my small tart pan to make the bottoms rounded off more. Put them back in the fridge for about a half hour to let them finish setting up.
Then I placed the rest of the chocolate ganache's into piping bags.  I then piped the dark chocolate on the balls, in concentric rings.
Chocolate Cherry Balls
  Got them covered, then piped the white chocolate ganache on top, covering up any of the bald spots. Placed them back in the fridge to finish setting up.
Chocolate Cherry Balls
  After they had a chance to set up, I pulled them out of the fridge.  Cut one open. 
Chocolate Cherry Balls
I had to taste test them, I wanted to make sure my vision met reality.
They did.
Chocolate Cherry Balls
I tell you I really put myself on the line to come up with new recipes, and this one, it's a keeper.

This was also shared at Miz Helen's Full Plate Thursday.

Sidsel Munkholm - Author
Sidsel Munkholm - Author

Sid loves to cook, feed people and have fun in the kitchen. She shares her successes and the involuntary offerings she sometimes gives the kitchen goddess as well. And she's still looking for the mythical fairy to help her clean the kitchen after a marathon cooking session. Currently working on a cookbook showcasing the recipes from her Danish heritage.

16 comments:

  1. These look delicious and what a versatile recipe! You could put many thing in the center of these delicious chocolate covered treats! Thanks for sharing I'm excited to give these a try!

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    Replies
    1. These were amazing, and something I'll be making again. I wonder what else you could put in the center. hmmmm

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  2. Those look amazing!!! How you haven't eaten them all is beyond me! =)

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    Replies
    1. I'm savoring them, one a day or so. They're really rich.

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  3. How fun! I love chocolate covered cherries.

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    1. Me too, something about chocolate and cherries just seem to go together. And these just amp up the whole chocolatey experience.

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  4. I wish I had some of these sitting in my refrigerator right now.

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    Replies
    1. I've still got a couple left, want I should send you some?

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  5. Replies
    1. Thanks, I was rather pleased with myself, from the concept to the execution, they actually worked.

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  6. These look so good! What a fun recipe to make! Traci BurntApple.com

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  7. Thanks so much for sharing these awesome Chocolate Cherry Balls with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week and come back to see us real soon!
    Miz Helen

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