Martha Washington Cherry Balls Recipe

If you’ve ever been on the hunt for a truly nostalgic, crowd-pleasing holiday treat, you’re going to love this one. I’m so excited to share my take on the Martha Washington Cherry Balls Recipe—a timeless candy that’s bursting with cherry goodness, toasted pecans, and creamy coconut, all wrapped up in a luscious chocolate coating. I absolutely love how this recipe turns out every time, and I’m betting you’ll find it as irresistible as my family does. Let me walk you through all the details so you can make these at home with confidence and maybe even start a new tradition!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting the right ingredients for the Martha Washington Cherry Balls Recipe is key to achieving that perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and nutty flavors. I always recommend quality maraschino cherries without the stems because they’re juicier and easier to chop. Also, lightly toasting your pecans really amps up the flavor—trust me on this one.

• Maraschino cherries: Choose good-quality, stemless cherries for ease of prep and maximum flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Butter gives richness without added saltiness that would interfere with sweetness.
• Sweetened condensed milk: This adds creaminess and acts as a natural binder to hold everything together.
• Shredded sweetened coconut: Provides texture and a tropical hint that balances the cherry’s tartness.
• Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar blends in smoothly for that soft, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
• Pecans: Toasted and chopped pecans add the perfect crunchy contrast, making each bite more interesting.
• Vanilla extract: Don’t skip this—it deepens the overall flavor beautifully.
• Dark coating chocolate or candy melts: Choose your favorite coating to dress these cherry balls in a glossy, addictive shell.

Variations

One of the things I love most about the Martha Washington Cherry Balls Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your liking. Whether you want to swap the nuts for allergy reasons or add a little extra flavor, it’s all fair game—and totally delicious!

• No-Nut Version: When I had a friend with a nut allergy over, I replaced pecans with finely crushed graham crackers for crunch, and it was just as delightful.
• White Chocolate Coating: For a sweeter bite and a festive look, try dipping the balls in white chocolate instead of dark.
• Added Zest: Adding a teaspoon of orange zest to the mix brightens up the flavor and gives it a fun holiday twist.
• Maraschino Cherry Substitute: If you can’t find maraschino cherries, candied cherries or glacé cherries work as a substitute but expect slight differences in texture.

How to Make Martha Washington Cherry Balls Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Cherries the Right Way

Start by roughly chopping your maraschino cherries into small pieces. This part is key because it disperses that burst of cherry flavor throughout every bite. Then, wrap the chopped cherries in cheesecloth or a few layers of paper towels and gently squeeze to press out as much juice as possible. This keeps your candy balls from becoming too wet and helps them hold together perfectly.

Step 2: Mix the Cherry Ball Base

In a large mixing bowl, melt the butter first—that’s where the magic begins. Add in the sweetened condensed milk, shredded sweetened coconut, powdered sugar, chopped toasted pecans, vanilla extract, and your prepared cherries. Stir everything together until well combined. The mixture should be thick but soft enough to scoop and shape.

Step 3: Chill to Firm Up

Cover your bowl and pop it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial—it helps the mixture firm up so your balls won’t be sticky or fall apart when you roll them. While you wait, you can prep your chocolate coating.

Step 4: Shape Your Cherry Balls

Use a medium cookie scoop or a spoon to portion out roughly 3-tablespoon-sized amounts. Roll each portion gently between your palms to form neat balls. Don’t stress if some coconut strands stick out here and there; that’s part of their charm! Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then pop them back into the fridge while you melt the chocolate.

Step 5: Dip in Chocolate Coating

Microwave the dark coating chocolate or candy melts in a small bowl—heat for about 1 minute total, stirring every 20 seconds until smooth and fully melted. Using a fork, dip each cherry ball into the chocolate, making sure it’s fully coated, then gently tap off the excess chocolate on the side of the bowl. Return the coated balls to the parchment-lined sheet.

Step 6: Let the Chocolate Set

Place the baking sheet with your coated cherry balls back in the fridge. Let them chill until the chocolate hardens completely—this usually takes about 30 minutes. Once set, they’re ready to enjoy or package as gifts!

How to Serve Martha Washington Cherry Balls Recipe

Garnishes

For me, a sprinkle of extra toasted pecans or a delicate dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a lovely finishing touch. I sometimes try drizzling white chocolate over the dark coating for a fancy marbled look that really wows guests.

Side Dishes

These cherry balls naturally shine on their own, but I love pairing them with a hot cup of coffee or holiday punch. They also make a delightful companion to cheese boards, especially with creamy cheeses like brie or mascarpone.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, I arrange my Martha Washington Cherry Balls on pretty cupcake liners and then place them on tiered platters or decorative trays. One year, I tucked them inside a clear jar tied with a festive ribbon as edible gifts, and everyone loved the personal touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cherry balls in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers and keep them chilled in the fridge. They maintain their flavor and texture beautifully for up to a week, making them perfect for enjoying throughout the holiday season.

Freezing

You can freeze these delicious treats! I like to place the cherry balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze them until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They freeze well for up to 3 months and defrost slowly in the fridge, keeping their charm intact.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake treats, reheating isn’t necessary, but if you want to take the chill off, just let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving. This brings out the full flavor without compromising texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

When I first tried the Martha Washington Cherry Balls Recipe, I was amazed at how something so simple could taste so festive and delightful. It’s become my go-to holiday treat—not only because of its gorgeous balance of flavors but also due to how easy it is to make ahead and share with loved ones. If you’re looking to add a bit of old-fashioned charm to your cookie platter or gift table, definitely give these a try. I promise your friends and family will be asking for the recipe!

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