🎉 Introduction

These Cherry Chocolate Truffle Balls are the perfect alcohol-free holiday treat—soft, sweet, chocolate-dipped truffles filled with candied cherries, maraschino cherries, and finely chopped pecans. They are creamy, rich, and beautifully coated in smooth melted chocolate with a glossy finish. The texture is soft like fudge, the flavor is sweet with a hint of cherry, and the final result is a bite-size dessert that looks stunning on any Christmas platter. These truffles are incredibly easy, completely no-bake, and made without any bourbon, making them perfectly family-friendly and Halal-safe.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Rubber spatula
• Food processor (optional)
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheet
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Small cookie scoop
• Knife & cutting board
• Cooling rack (optional)

🛒 Ingredients (English Only — Alcohol Free)

Fruit Ingredients

• 30 Candied cherry halves
• 1/4 cup Maraschino cherries, finely chopped

Sweet Ingredients

• 4 cups Powdered sugar

Nuts

• 3/4 cup Pecans, finely chopped

Dairy

• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened

Chocolate Coating

• 3 cups Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons Coconut oil or shortening

Liquid (Alcohol-Free Substitute for Bourbon)

• 2 tablespoons Cherry juice (from maraschino jar)
• 2 tablespoons Heavy cream

👩‍🍳 Directions (Form-Steps Style)

🔹 PART 1 — MAKE THE TRUFFLE DOUGH

Step 1 — Prepare the Cherries

• Chop candied cherries into small pieces.
• Finely chop maraschino cherries.
• Pat with a paper towel to remove extra moisture.
• Set aside.

Step 2 — Chop the Pecans

• Finely chop pecans by hand or pulse a few times in a food processor.
• Do not grind into a paste—keep small nut pieces.

Step 3 — Cream the Butter

• Add softened butter to a bowl.
• Beat until smooth and creamy.

Step 4 — Add Powdered Sugar

• Add powdered sugar gradually.
• Mix until a thick, frosting-like mixture forms.

Step 5 — Add Cherry Juice & Cream

• Add cherry juice (2 tbsp).
• Add heavy cream (2 tbsp).
• Mix until the mixture is smooth and slightly sticky.

This replaces bourbon 100% — same consistency, better flavor, no alcohol.

Step 6 — Fold in Cherries & Nuts

• Add chopped cherries.
• Add chopped pecans.
• Fold gently with a spatula until evenly distributed.

Step 7 — Chill the Dough

• Cover bowl.
• Refrigerate 20–30 minutes until firm enough to roll.

🔹 PART 2 — SHAPE THE TRUFFLE BALLS

Step 8 — Roll Into Balls

• Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough.
• Roll between your palms into smooth balls.
• Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 9 — Freeze the Balls

• Freeze balls for 15 minutes.
• This keeps them from melting when dipped in chocolate.

🔹 PART 3 — COAT THE TRUFFLES IN CHOCOLATE

Step 10 — Melt the Chocolate

• Add chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl.
• Add coconut oil or shortening.
• Microwave in 20-second intervals.
• Stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 11 — Dip Each Truffle

• Drop each truffle into the melted chocolate.
• Use a fork to lift it out.
• Tap fork gently to remove excess chocolate.
• Place back on parchment paper.

Step 12 — Decorate (Optional)

While chocolate is still wet:

• Add sprinkles
• Add crushed pecans
• Add mini cherry pieces
• Drizzle with white chocolate

Step 13 — Let Set

• Refrigerate 15 minutes until the chocolate shell hardens.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Yield: 24–30 truffle balls
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Chill Time: 20 minutes
• Dipping Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: ~45 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

• Store in airtight container for 1 week.

Freezer

• Freeze truffles (before dipping) up to 2 months.
• Thaw → dip in chocolate → serve.

Room Temperature

• Up to 8 hours before melting starts.

No reheating needed — serve chilled or room temperature.

🥄 Variations

1. White Chocolate Cherry Truffles

Dip in melted white chocolate.

2. Coconut Cherry Truffles

Roll balls in shredded coconut instead of chocolate.

3. Double Chocolate Truffles

Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the dough.

4. Nut-Free Version

Remove pecans — add more cookie crumbs or powdered sugar.

5. Dark Chocolate Cherry Balls

Use dark chocolate coating for a richer taste.

6. Sprinkle Truffles

Coat in holiday sprinkles for a Christmas theme.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use real cherries instead of candied?

Fresh cherries are too wet — stick to candied or maraschino.

2. What if my dough is too sticky?

Add 1–2 tablespoons powdered sugar.

3. What if dough is too dry?

Add 1 teaspoon cherry juice.

4. Can I skip nuts?

Yes — recipe works without pecans.

5. Can I use white chocolate chips?

Yes — melts beautifully with coconut oil.

6. Can kids eat these?

Absolutely — alcohol-free & safe.

7. Why is my chocolate too thick?

Add 1 teaspoon coconut oil and re-melt.

8. Do I need to freeze before dipping?

Yes — prevents truffles from falling apart.

9. Can I make these ahead?

Yes — they store well for holidays or events.

10. Can I shape them into squares or hearts?

Yes — press chilled dough into silicone molds.

🏁 Conclusion

These Cherry Chocolate Truffle Balls are rich, sweet, creamy, and completely alcohol-free—making them the perfect festive treat for every family gathering. With soft cherry-pecan filling and a smooth chocolate coating, they look beautiful on any holiday dessert tray and taste even better than store-bought truffles. Simple to prepare, no baking required, and guaranteed to impress, this recipe brings together cherry flavor, creamy texture, and chocolate indulgence in every bite. A holiday favorite you’ll want to make again and again!

Adam

Cherry Chocolate Truffle Balls – Sweet, Festive & Alcohol-Free

These Cherry Chocolate Truffle Balls are the perfect alcohol-free holiday treat—soft, sweet, chocolate-dipped truffles filled with candied cherries, maraschino cherries, and finely chopped pecans. They are creamy, rich, and beautifully coated in smooth melted chocolate with a glossy finish. The texture is soft like fudge, the flavor is sweet with a hint of cherry, and the final result is a bite-size dessert that looks stunning on any Christmas platter. These truffles are incredibly easy, completely no-bake, and made without any bourbon, making them perfectly family-friendly and Halal-safe.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

chill & Dipping time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 30 truffle balls

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Fruit Ingredients

• 30 Candied cherry halves
• 1/4 cup Maraschino cherries finely chopped

Sweet Ingredients

• 4 cups Powdered sugar

Nuts

• 3/4 cup Pecans finely chopped

Dairy

• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter softened

Chocolate Coating

• 3 cups Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons Coconut oil or shortening
• Liquid Alcohol-Free Substitute for Bourbon
• 2 tablespoons Cherry juice from maraschino jar
• 2 tablespoons Heavy cream

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Rubber spatula
• Food processor (optional)
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheet
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Small cookie scoop
• Knife & cutting board
• Cooling rack (optional)

Method

 

1. 🔹 PART 1 — MAKE THE TRUFFLE DOUGH

Step 1 — Prepare the Cherries

1. Chop candied cherries into small pieces.
2. Finely chop maraschino cherries.
3. Pat with a paper towel to remove extra moisture.
4. Set aside.

Step 2 — Chop the Pecans

1. Finely chop pecans by hand or pulse a few times in a food processor.
2. Do not grind into a paste—keep small nut pieces.

Step 3 — Cream the Butter

1. Add softened butter to a bowl.
2. Beat until smooth and creamy.

Step 4 — Add Powdered Sugar

1. Add powdered sugar gradually.
2. Mix until a thick, frosting-like mixture forms.

Step 5 — Add Cherry Juice & Cream

1. Add cherry juice (2 tbsp).
2. Add heavy cream (2 tbsp).
3. Mix until the mixture is smooth and slightly sticky.
4. This replaces bourbon 100% — same consistency, better flavor, no alcohol.

Step 6 — Fold in Cherries & Nuts

1. Add chopped cherries.
2. Add chopped pecans.
3. Fold gently with a spatula until evenly distributed.

Step 7 — Chill the Dough

1. Cover bowl.
2. Refrigerate 20–30 minutes until firm enough to roll.
3. 🔹 PART 2 — SHAPE THE TRUFFLE BALLS

Step 8 — Roll Into Balls

1. Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough.
2. Roll between your palms into smooth balls.
3. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 9 — Freeze the Balls

1. Freeze balls for 15 minutes.
2. This keeps them from melting when dipped in chocolate.
3. 🔹 PART 3 — COAT THE TRUFFLES IN CHOCOLATE

Step 10 — Melt the Chocolate

1. Add chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Add coconut oil or shortening.
3. Microwave in 20-second intervals.
4. Stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 11 — Dip Each Truffle

1. Drop each truffle into the melted chocolate.
2. Use a fork to lift it out.
3. Tap fork gently to remove excess chocolate.
4. Place back on parchment paper.

Step 12 — Decorate (Optional)

1. While chocolate is still wet:
2. Add sprinkles
3. Add crushed pecans
4. Add mini cherry pieces
5. Drizzle with white chocolate

Step 13 — Let Set

1. Refrigerate 15 minutes until the chocolate shell hardens.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator

Store in airtight container for 1 week.

Freezer

Freeze truffles (before dipping) up to 2 months.

Thaw → dip in chocolate → serve.

Room Temperature

Up to 8 hours before melting starts.

No reheating needed — serve chilled or room temperature.

🥄 Variations
1. White Chocolate Cherry Truffles

Dip in melted white chocolate.

2. Coconut Cherry Truffles

Roll balls in shredded coconut instead of chocolate.

3. Double Chocolate Truffles

Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the dough.

4. Nut-Free Version

Remove pecans — add more cookie crumbs or powdered sugar.

5. Dark Chocolate Cherry Balls

Use dark chocolate coating for a richer taste.

6. Sprinkle Truffles

Coat in holiday sprinkles for a Christmas theme.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use real cherries instead of candied?

Fresh cherries are too wet — stick to candied or maraschino.

2. What if my dough is too sticky?

Add 1–2 tablespoons powdered sugar.

3. What if dough is too dry?

Add 1 teaspoon cherry juice.

4. Can I skip nuts?

Yes — recipe works without pecans.

5. Can I use white chocolate chips?

Yes — melts beautifully with coconut oil.

6. Can kids eat these?

Absolutely — alcohol-free & safe.

7. Why is my chocolate too thick?

Add 1 teaspoon coconut oil and re-melt.

8. Do I need to freeze before dipping?

Yes — prevents truffles from falling apart.

9. Can I make these ahead?

Yes — they store well for holidays or events.

10. Can I shape them into squares or hearts?

Yes — press chilled dough into silicone molds.

🏁 Conclusion

These Cherry Chocolate Truffle Balls are rich, sweet, creamy, and completely alcohol-free—making them the perfect festive treat for every family gathering. With soft cherry-pecan filling and a smooth chocolate coating, they look beautiful on any holiday dessert tray and taste even better than store-bought truffles. Simple to prepare, no baking required, and guaranteed to impress, this recipe brings together cherry flavor, creamy texture, and chocolate indulgence in every bite. A holiday favorite you’ll want to make again and again!