CHOCOLATE CHERRY CANDIES

Chocolate Cherry Candies image

I make these only at Christmastime for family and a few close friends; my family really looks forward to this special treat! -Melody Daugherty, Long Beach, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 40m

Yield about 4-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup flaked coconut
1/4 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening

Steps:

Beat peanut butter, butter and confectioners' sugar until crumbly. Stir in walnuts, coconut, cherries and cherry juice. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of filling into balls. Freeze 10 minutes. , In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip balls in chocolate, allowing excess to drip off; place on waxed paper. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm. Freeze option: Freeze candy in freezer containers, separating layers with waxed paper. To use, serve frozen or thaw in refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 calories, Fat 6g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 26mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.