Chocolate Buttercream Cherry Candies

By cwyorkiex3

Maraschino cherries wrapped in a buttercream mixture are dipped in white chocolate and drizzled with dark chocolate.

Ingredients

• WHITE CHIP COATING:
• 48 48 48 maraschino cherries, with stems, well drained
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 cup (1/2-stick) butter, softened
• 2 2 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa or HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
• 1 to 2 1 to 2 2 tablespoons milk, divided
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 2 2 cups (12-ounce) package HERSHEY'S Premier White Chips
• 2 2 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• CHOCOLATE CHIP DRIZZLE:
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips or HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 teaspoon shortening (do not use butter, margarine, oil or spreads)

Preparation

Step 1

Cover tray with wax paper. Lightly press cherries between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Beat butter, powdered sugar, cocoa and 1 tablespoon milk in small bowl until well blended; stir in vanilla and almond extract. If necessary, add remaining milk, one teaspoonful at a time, until mixture will hold together but is not wet.

Mold scant teaspoonful mixture around each cherry, covering completely; place on prepared tray. Cover; refrigerate 3 hours or until firm.

White chip coating:

Place 2 cups HERSHEY'S Premier White Chips in small microwave-safe bowl; drizzle with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1 minute; stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. If mixture thickens while coating, microwave at MEDIUM for 15 seconds; stir until smooth.

Holding each cherry by stem, dip into coating. Place on tray; refrigerate until firm.

Chocolate chip drizzle:

Prepare about 1 hour before serving; place 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips or HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and 1/4 teaspoon shortening (do not use butter, margarine, oil or spreads) in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 30 seconds to 1 minute; stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.

With tines of fork, drizzle randomly over candies. Refrigerate until drizzle is firm. Store in refrigerator. About 4 dozen candies.