CHOCOLATE LEBKUCHEN CHERRY BALLS

Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls image

Here's my twist on the traditional German holiday lebkuchen-with a surprise inside. Maraschino cherries add a sweet and unexpected punch to the holiday spice of gingersnaps. -Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 5 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

40 gingersnap cookies
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1-1/4 cups sliced almonds, divided
2 tablespoons chopped candied orange peel
1 teaspoon almond extract
60 maraschino cherries, stems removed

Steps:

Place gingersnaps, cream cheese, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup almonds, orange peel and extract in a food processor; process until combined. Refrigerate until firm enough to form into balls. Pat cherries dry with paper towels. Wrap each cherry with a rounded tablespoonful of cream cheese mixture; shape into a ball. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. , Chop remaining sliced almonds; set aside. In a double boiler, melt remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Dip cherry balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Sprinkle balls with almonds. Place on waxed paper. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 76 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 37mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.