Easy Cherry Chocolate Candy

Stir dried cherries and salted almonds into chocolate melting in the crock pot to make super Easy Homemade Cherry Chocolate Candy recipe.

These chocolate cherry almond clusters are a family favorite Christmas dessert or Valentine’s Day candy.

If you like this recipe you may also enjoy our Cherry Cobbler for a Crowd, Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake or our Chocolate Chip Snack Cake!

Easy Cherry Chocolate Candy Recipe

Simple ingredients make a high quality and flavor packed DIY cherry and chocolate recipe!

To make the best cherry chocolate candy you want to see more filling than chocolate. Bumps from the nuts and cherries should be visible from the surface of the chocolate candy clusters.

The cherries create soft spots with extra sweetness and juiciness. Almonds create a crunch and add a salted contrast to the chocolate that I crave.

Our Crock Pot Peanut Clusters make the best chocolate covered peanuts. We love the diversity of flavors in this homemade cherry chocolate version.

A more kid friendly candy like Almond Bark Cookies substitutes nuts for cheerios or cornflakes. 

List of Ingredients:

• White chocolate chips
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• German sweet chocolate
• Dried cherries
• Salted almonds 

Easiest Way to Melt Chocolate

Low heat, lots of stirring and uninterrupted focus are keys to successfully melting chocolate without burning it. 

Growing up we always used a double boiler with water underneath or the microwave. I’ve found that using a slow cooker is the easiest way to melt chocolate for candy!

Tips for Melting Chocolate in a Crock Pot

Use a crockpot where the chocolate is one to two inches thick on the bottom. If the layer of chocolate is too thin it will be difficult to stir together.

Cooking times vary based on your individual slow cooker. Many have hot spots, so I prefer to use the low setting and stir occasionally. If you chose to use the high setting frequent stirring is necessary.

When melting chocolate on low it will melt the quickest the more often you stir. The good news is that it won’t burn if you take and extra 15 – 20 minutes in between stirring.

Be sure to use a crock pot liner as this can be maneuvered to help stir the chocolate and get as much as possible out of the crock. Not wasting chocolate is important!

How to Make Chocolate Cherry Almond Clusters

Line a 5 quart crock pot. Sprinkle white chocolate chips or chunks of almond bark evenly on the bottom. Next add semi-sweet chocolate chips in an even layer.

Then break up pieces of German sweet chocolate and sprinkle over the chips.

Set pot to low after 45 minute to an hour. Chocolate on the bottom and edges typically melts faster, so turn it in to the center while stirring the lesser melted chocolate to the warmer spots in the crock.

Continue to stir every 15 – 20 minutes until chocolate is melted. 

Line a couple large baking sheets with waxed paper or parchment paper.

Once chocolate is smooth and liquid sprinkle whole almonds and dried sweetened tart cherries over top and stir. 

The crock pot may be turned off or to keep warm. Use a cookie scoop to create evenly sized scoops of chocolate. Transfer to the lined baking sheet leaving a little bit of space on all sides. 

Keeping sheet level place in the refrigerator or freezer to set up more quickly. Once chocolate is firm store in air tight containers or self-sealing bags.

How Long Does Chocolate Last?

These chocolate clusters can be kept fresh in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They may be frozen for up to 3 months. 

Recipe Tips:

• Bittersweet or dark chocolate can be melted to mix cherries and / or almonds into.
• Maraschino cherries are best dipped individually in smaller batches of melted chocolate.
• Cashews or peanuts make a fine substitute for almonds.
• Kids often like to substitute cheerios, cornflakes or their favorite neutral cereal for nuts.
• Two blocks of almond bark or white melting chocolate makes a good substitute for the white chips
• Almond bark or white melting chocolate is easier to use, but white chips create a milkier, creamier flavor.
• White chocolate chips take longer to melt than almond bark. They can take up to twice as much time.

More Delicious Chocolate Recipes:

Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup Brownies are made without cocoa and make a rich treat!

Chocolate Cherry Bundt Cake mixes cherry pie filling with a box of cake mix for a delightful dessert.

This Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie from my friend the Spiffy Cookie looks amazing!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars satisfy your sweet tooth for breakfast or a nice snack.

Printable Cherry Chocolate Candy Recipe