Imagine sweet, juicy cherries enveloped in velvety milk chocolate, topped with adorable almond ears and tiny sugar noses—that’s exactly what the Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe is all about. These charming treats are as fun to make as they are to eat, and they’re perfect for sharing with friends or brightening up any dessert table.

A round white plate with a rough edge holds ten chocolate mouse-shaped treats. Each treat has two parts stacked: a larger round chocolate body and a smaller chocolate head in front. The heads have two almond slices for ears and two small black dots for eyes. A small red round candy forms the nose on each mouse, and a thin red string sticks out from the back, resembling a tail. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with part of a gold-wrapped chocolate and a red candy tray visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still smile whenever I make these Chocolate Cherry Mice. They’re such a playful way to turn simple ingredients into tiny works of edible art. Plus, the blend of almond, chocolate, and cherry flavors hits a nostalgic note that never gets old.

Deliciously Unique: Combines sweet cherries with rich milk chocolate and almond accents for a flavor fiesta.
Fun and Festive: These mice-shaped treats add a touch of whimsy to any party or holiday spread.
Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, you’ll impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
Customizable: You can switch up extracts, chocolates, or decorations to suit your taste or occasion.

The image shows a white speckled plate filled with small chocolate mice arranged in neat rows. Each mouse has two oval-shaped layers: a larger, smooth, round chocolate body and a smaller chocolate nose cone, with two thin light almond slices placed on each side as ears. A red candy ball is on the tip of each nose, and a red cherry stem sticks out from the back of each mouse to form a tail. The mice have tiny black dots for eyes on their nose cones. Surrounding the plate are festive items, including a white marbled surface under everything, small chocolates wrapped in gold foil, a pine cone, a bowl with red candy pearls, and a cup of light-colored drink. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic behind this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe is all in the balance of textures and flavors. Each ingredient plays a role—some for taste, others for shaping or decoration. Here’s why I chose these specifics and what to look for when you shop.

Flat lay of fresh maraschino cherries with stems, a small slab of unsalted butter, a small white bowl of corn syrup, a small white bowl of almond extract, a small white bowl of sifted powdered sugar, smooth milk chocolate melting wafers in a neat pile, unwrapped milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses arranged in a cluster, a small white bowl of almond slices, a small white bowl of black decorative icing, a small white bowl of red sugar pearls, whole uncracked brown eggs placed symmetrically, all arranged on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Maraschino cherries with stems: Fresh, stemmed cherries make the perfect "mice bodies" and keep these treats playful; draining and drying them well prevents sogginess.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps unite the dough without introducing extra saltiness.
Corn syrup: Gives the dough just enough stickiness and shine while keeping it pliable.
Almond extract: Pairs beautifully with the chocolate and almond ears for a subtle but distinctive flavor note.
Powdered sugar: Provides structure and sweetness, sifted to avoid lumps in the dough.
Milk chocolate melting wafers: These melt smoothly for coating each cherry, ensuring an even, glossy finish.
Milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses: The perfect "heads" with an almond center, tying in the overall flavor theme.
Almond slices: Crisp and simple, these become adorable ears that add a delicate crunch.
Black decorative icing: Essential for giving each mouse friendly eyes—feel free to experiment with candy eyes if you like.
Red sugar pearls: Tiny, festive noses that complete each mouse's face with a pop of color.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe depending on the season or my mood. I find that adding vanilla extract or swapping dark chocolate for milk chocolate changes the vibe completely—feel free to make it your own!

Variation: Once, I swapped the almond extract with coconut extract and used coconut-flavored Hershey’s Kisses—everyone loved the unexpected tropical twist!
Dietary Swap: For a dairy-free version, I’ve tried vegan butter and dark dairy-free chocolate; just make sure the chocolate melts nicely.
Seasonal Touch: Red and green sugar pearls can turn these into festive holiday mice, perfect for Christmas parties.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Ingredients

First, I line two baking trays with parchment paper—that’s where the magic will rest while chilling and drying. Make sure your maraschino cherries are well-drained and patted dry; this step is crucial so the dough sticks well without turning soggy.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, blend softened unsalted butter, corn syrup, and almond extract with a hand mixer until smooth. Gradually fold in powdered sugar and knead with your hands or spatula until you get a soft, smooth dough—add a little more powdered sugar if it feels sticky or chill briefly to firm up. This dough should be pliable enough to wrap around each cherry without cracking.

Step 3: Shape Your Mice Bodies

Pinch off about half a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Flatten it into a disc, place a single cherry in the center (stem sticking out), and carefully wrap the dough around, smoothing it gently without breaking the stem. Place each mouse on the parchment-lined trays as you go, then pop them in the fridge for 2–4 hours until firm.

Step 4: Dip and Decorate

Melt your milk chocolate wafers slowly until smooth—microwave in 30-second bursts or use a double boiler for best results. Holding each cherry by its stem, dip it into the chocolate, then lay it on its side. Before the chocolate sets, press a milk chocolate almond Kiss on the opposite side of the stem for the head, tucking in two almond slices as ears. Let the chocolate begin to set a bit before adding details.

Step 5: Add Eyes and Noses

Using a toothpick dipped in melted chocolate, place a red sugar pearl on the tip of each Kiss for a nose—hold it gently until it sets. Then, carefully dot on two eyes with black decorative icing. Once all mice have their faces, pop them back into the fridge to set completely.

Top Tip

From my experience, these small details make all the difference. The dough’s texture and how you handle the stems are key to perfect mice that look as good as they taste.

Dry Cherries Thoroughly: Excess moisture can make the dough soggy—pat your cherries dry well before wrapping.
Chocolate Temperature: Keep the melted chocolate warm but not hot while dipping to avoid clumpy coverage.
Handle Gently: When rolling the dough and dipping, be gentle with the cherry stems to keep that signature mouse tail intact.
Use Quality Ingredients: Premium chocolate and fresh almonds really boost flavor and appearance.

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe

chocolate cherry mice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple—those cute almond ears and sugar pearl noses are enough to charm anyone. But I’ve also tried a dusting of edible glitter for a bit of sparkle on special occasions, which looks so festive!

Side Dishes

These mice are sweet and rich, so I pair them with fresh fruit platters or light, fluffy whipped cream. A cup of rich coffee or a fruity herbal tea is just right on the side, balancing the chocolate’s sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a birthday party, I arranged these mice around a cake platter with fresh mint leaves for pops of green—they looked like a little mouse family darting through a grassy meadow! Mini nests made out of spun sugar or coconut flakes work great for Easter or springtime events.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Chocolate Cherry Mice in an airtight container in the fridge—they keep beautifully for up to three weeks. I’ve found layering them between sheets of parchment prevents sticking without dulling the chocolate shine.

Freezing

Freezing works too, but I always let them thaw slowly in the fridge overnight to keep the chocolate smooth and avoid condensation ruining the texture. They’re perfect straight from the fridge after thawing for a cool treat.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake treats, reheating isn’t necessary. If you want to soften the chocolate a bit, just let them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries don’t have stems and contain a lot more moisture, which can make the dough soggy and difficult to work with. Maraschino cherries are best because they're sweet, firm, and come with stems, giving your mice that characteristic tail.

What’s the best way to melt chocolate for dipping?

Melting chocolate slowly is key. Use a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between to prevent burning. A double boiler or candy melting pot works even better for gentle heat and smooth texture.

Can I make these mice ahead of time?

Absolutely! These are fantastic make-ahead treats. After decorating, store them covered in the refrigerator and bring them out when you’re ready to serve—they hold up well and even keep for a few weeks.

What if I don’t have Hershey’s Kisses?

You can substitute with small round chocolates that match the melted chocolate flavor, like chocolate-covered almonds or malt balls. Just choose treats roughly the size of Hershey’s Kisses and secure them with melted chocolate as glue.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy making the Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe as much as I do—it’s such a joyful way to treat yourself and your loved ones. Each mouse carries a little bit of magic and nostalgia, reminding me of cozy afternoons spent baking with friends. Give it a try and watch how these charming little critters bring smiles all around!