# Required Ingredients:
→ Cherries
01 - 24 fresh, firm cherries with stems, pitted (or well-drained high-quality maraschino cherries)
→ Chocolate Coating
02 - 7 oz dark chocolate (60–70% cocoa), chopped
03 - 1 tablespoon coconut oil or unsalted butter
→ Garnishes (optional)
04 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped pistachios
05 - 2 tablespoons desiccated coconut
06 - 2 tablespoons white chocolate, melted (for drizzling)
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Wash and thoroughly dry the cherries. If using fresh cherries, pit them carefully while preserving the stems for dipping.
02 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
03 - In a heatproof bowl set over gently simmering water, melt dark chocolate with coconut oil or butter, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.
04 - Hold each cherry by the stem and dip into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place dipped cherries onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
05 - Optionally, sprinkle some cherries with chopped pistachios or desiccated coconut before the chocolate sets.
06 - Optionally drizzle melted white chocolate over the coated cherries for an elegant finish.
07 - Refrigerate the cherries for 20 minutes or until the chocolate is completely firm.
08 - Arrange the chocolate-covered cherries on a serving platter in a pyramid: base with 9 cherries, then layers of 7, 5, 3, and 1 at the top.
09 - Serve immediately or keep chilled for up to two days.
