These easy chocolate covered cherry mice are the cutest no-bake Christmas treat for cookie trays, holiday charcuterie boards, classroom parties, and Christmas movie night. Made with stemmed maraschino cherries, melted chocolate, Hershey’s Kisses, and sliced almonds, they come together quickly and look absolutely adorable on a festive dessert table.
Make a batch alongside my Chocolate Covered Strawberry Christmas Lights and a cozy pot of Creamy Christmas Hot Cocoa for an easy holiday treat spread everyone will remember.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Cherry Mice
- No baking needed
- Made with just a few simple ingredients
- Ready in about 20 minutes, including chilling time
- A fun Christmas treat for kids to help assemble
- Perfect for cookie trays, dessert boards, or topping hot cocoa
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 30 maraschino cherries with stems, drained very well
- 12 ounces milk chocolate melting wafers or chocolate almond bark
- 30 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- Holiday sprinkles, optional
The Best Cherries to Use
Maraschino cherries with stems make the sweetest little mouse tails. Pat the cherries very dry with paper towels before dipping so the chocolate sticks properly.
Keep in mind that stemmed maraschino cherries may contain pits. For little children, make sure everyone knows to check for pits before eating, or use pitted cherries and create a simple chocolate tail instead.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Melt the chocolate according to the package directions until smooth.
- Hold a cherry by its stem and dip it into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip back into the bowl.
- Place the dipped cherry on the prepared baking sheet. While the chocolate is still soft, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss against the front of the cherry to create the mouse’s face.
- Tuck two sliced almond pieces between the cherry and Kiss for ears.
- Add sprinkles for a festive little detail, if desired.
- Repeat with the remaining cherries, then refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm.
Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice
Looking for an easy idea to top off your cookie or charcuterie board? These chocolate covered cherry mice are an adorable addition!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 3
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 30+ 1x
- Category: Cookies
- Cuisine: Holiday
Ingredients
- cherries (maraschino is best- pitted with stems)
- milk chocolate dipping chocolate
- Hershey kisses
- sliced almonds
- sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
-
Melt the chocolate according to package directions.
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Dip the cherries into the chocolate.
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Stick on a kiss to make the face.
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Add sliced almonds for the ears where the cherrie and kiss connect
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Then decorate as you like with sprinkles if you would like to.
Tips for the Cutest Cherry Mice
Use melting wafers or almond bark instead of regular chocolate chips. They melt more smoothly and set up beautifully without needing extra ingredients.
Work with just a few mice at a time. The chocolate needs to be soft enough for the Kiss and almond ears to stick.
If the chocolate starts to thicken while you work, warm it in short 10-second intervals and stir well between each one.
For a prettier holiday tray, use a mix of milk chocolate and white chocolate, then add a few red and green sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
Fun Ways to Serve Them
Chocolate covered cherry mice are such a cute finishing touch on a Christmas cookie tray or dessert charcuterie board. They are also sweet little toppers for mugs of hot cocoa, bowls of ice cream, or a child-friendly holiday party table.
For more easy festive treats, add these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Christmas Lights to the tray, then serve everything with mugs of Creamy Christmas Hot Cocoa.
Can You Make These Ahead of Time?
Yes. Make the mice up to 2 days ahead and store them in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving so the chocolate is not quite as hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cherries?
Fresh cherries can work, but maraschino cherries are sweeter, easier to find year-round, and give these little mice their classic Christmas-candy look.
Can I use white chocolate?
Absolutely. White chocolate cherry mice look especially cute with red and green sprinkles. Use white melting wafers for the easiest results.
Do chocolate covered cherry mice need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Keep them refrigerated until you are ready to serve them, especially if your kitchen is warm.
How long do they last?
They are best within 2 days. Store them covered in the refrigerator.
Final Thoughts
These chocolate covered cherry mice prove that a holiday treat does not have to be complicated to feel special. They are quick, nostalgic, festive, and so much fun to add to a Christmas dessert board. Make a batch for your next holiday movie night, cookie exchange, or Christmas party.
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