You can also stir in a handful of crisp rice cereal along with the nuts for a lighter, crunchier bite. If you’d rather skip the maraschino flavor, you can use well-drained jarred cocktail cherries or thoroughly dried canned cherries, but the bright red maraschinos are what make these look so festive on a graduation table. For a little extra flair, drizzle the set clusters with melted white chocolate and let it harden before serving.
Variation of chocolate cherry clusters drizzled with white chocolate
Variation of chocolate cherry clusters drizzled with white chocolate
Food safety and handling tips: Because maraschino cherries are packed in syrup, it’s important to drain and pat them very dry before adding them to the melted chocolate. Too much liquid can cause the chocolate to seize or turn grainy, and excess moisture can shorten the shelf life of the candy. Always use clean utensils and a dry slow cooker insert; any water in the pot can cause the chocolate to clump.
Keep the slow cooker on LOW or WARM only—high heat can scorch chocolate quickly and give it a burnt taste. Once made, store the clusters in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, or refrigerate if your kitchen is warm. If serving at a long open-house style graduation party, set out a portion at a time and refresh the bowl as it empties so the candies stay looking neat and don’t soften too much in summer heat.
