There’s something utterly charming about cute little desserts that taste as delightful as they look. The Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe is one of those fun treats that bring a smile the moment you see them—tiny chocolate-covered cherries transformed into adorable mice with sweet almond ears and playful candy eyes. It’s a recipe that’s perfect for sharing or just indulging your whimsical side in the kitchen.

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 have to admit, making these Chocolate Cherry Mice feels like a little kitchen celebration every time. Not only do they look insanely cute, but they’re also ridiculously delicious—combining creamy chocolate with the zing of cherries and a touch of almond that’s just irresistible.

Whimsical fun: Creating edible mice is a playful way to enjoy dessert and impress your guests with minimal fuss.
Decadent flavors: The blend of milk chocolate, maraschino cherries, and almond extract yields a sophisticated yet nostalgic taste.
Simple ingredients: You probably already have most of the essentials in your pantry, making this an easy whip-up project.
Perfect for any occasion: From holiday parties to casual treats, these mice add charm and joy wherever they appear.

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

Let’s talk ingredients because each one plays a special role in this recipe’s magic. The buttery, sweet sugar dough wraps around the juicy maraschino cherries, while the melting milk chocolate brings everything together with rich, smooth coziness. Almond slices and Hershey’s Kisses add texture and character, and the little details in decoration really make them come alive.

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: Choose cherries with stems—they form the mice’s tails and make wrapping easier.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter helps blend the dough smoothly without overpowering flavors.
Corn syrup: Adds a subtle gloss and chewiness to the dough, making it pliable.
Almond extract: Enhances the nutty notes and pairs gorgeously with the chocolate and cherries.
Powdered sugar: Gives sweetness and structure to the dough; sift it for smooth results.
Milk chocolate melting wafers: These melt perfectly and coat the cherries for that glossy finish.
Milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses: The mouse heads, with built-in flavor and shape—love these!
Almond slices: Thin and crunchy, they create the cutest little mouse ears.
Black decorative icing: Essential for dotting on the eyes with precision.
Red sugar pearls: Tiny, sweet noses that complete each mouse’s face.

📝

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 the flavors and decorations here. Sometimes I swap the almond extract for vanilla just to switch it up, or use dark chocolate wafers instead of milk for a richer bite. Don’t be shy about adding your personal touch—these mice are pretty forgiving!

Variation: I once used white chocolate Kisses and swapped almond extract for coconut. It was a tropical spin that my family adored, especially paired with shredded coconut on the ears instead of almond slices.

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

Step 1: Crafting the Sweet Dough

Start by softening the butter, then combine it with corn syrup and almond extract in a large bowl. I use my hand mixer here to get a smooth, creamy mix without overworking it. Then, sift in the powdered sugar bit by bit and knead everything together until you have a soft, pliable dough. It shouldn’t be too sticky—if it is, add a little more powdered sugar, but if it feels dry, a tiny splash of milk helps.

Step 2: Wrapping the Cherries

Pinch off about half a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Flatten it gently in your palm to form a disc. Now, place a maraschino cherry right in the center—remember to keep the stem sticking out! Wrap the dough carefully around the cherry, then roll gently in your hands to smooth the surface. It takes a bit of patience, but it’s worth it to preserve that cute tail.

Step 3: Chill Time for Firm Mice

Once you’ve wrapped all the cherries, lay them on parchment-lined trays and pop them in the fridge to chill for 2-4 hours. This step firms up the dough, making it easier to dip without it falling apart.

Step 4: Coating in Chocolate

Melt the milk chocolate wafers slowly—microwave in short 30-second bursts works fine, but stirring often is key for smoothness. Holding each chilled cherry by the stem, dip it into the melted chocolate until covered, then place it on the tray on its side. Before the chocolate sets, press a Hershey’s Kiss onto the opposite side for the mouse's head and tuck almond slices in between for ears.

Step 5: Adding the Final Details

Use a toothpick to drop a tiny dot of melted chocolate on the tip of each Kiss and attach a red sugar pearl nose. Then use black icing to dot eyes, giving each mouse its own quirky personality. Let them chill in the fridge again until the chocolate sets fully, and voilà—adorable edible mice ready to be enjoyed!

Top Tip

After several batches, I’ve learned some shortcuts and tricks that really help you nail this recipe without stress—and keep those mice looking their best.

Chilling matters: Don’t rush the chilling step before dipping. Firm dough means easier coating and neater mice.
Chocolate temperature: Keep your melted chocolate warm but not hot, or it’ll seize and get clumpy.
Handle stems gently: I carefully hold the cherry by the stem when dipping to avoid breaking off those cute “tails.”
Use toothpicks for tiny details: They give you precision when placing eyes and noses—it really makes a difference!

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe

Chocolate Cherry Mice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with the red sugar pearls for noses and a bit of black icing for eyes, but you can get creative here—try small candy eyeballs or sprinkles for extra sparkle. A dusting of cocoa powder or powdered sugar can also add a lovely finish just before serving.

Side Dishes

These mice pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. For a party, I like setting them alongside a cheese board, fresh fruit, or buttery shortbread cookies for a sweet-and-savory combo.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I've arranged these mice on a platter lined with fresh mint leaves or even nestled in small paper cups like mini cupcakes. Kids love discovering them served on a "forest floor" of crushed graham crackers or coconut flakes to mimic their “habitat” — it’s a playful surprise every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Chocolate Cherry Mice in an airtight container in the fridge. I find they keep fresh and delicious for up to three weeks—perfect if you want to make them ahead for holidays or parties.

Freezing

I haven’t personally frozen these mice often because they’re so quick to make fresh, but if you need to, wrap them carefully individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge to maintain their shape and texture.

Reheating

Chocolate doesn’t do well with heat once set, so I recommend enjoying these cold or at room temperature. If they’ve been chilled, just take them out 10-15 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What can I use if I don’t have maraschino cherries with stems?

The stem is key for the mouse’s tail and also helps you hold the cherry while dipping it in chocolate. If you can’t find cherries with stems, you can try attaching a small edible licorice strand or simply skip the tail and decorate accordingly.

Can I make these mice vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the butter for a vegan alternative like coconut oil or vegan butter, and use dairy-free chocolate wafers. Make sure your cherries don’t contain gelatin or other animal products. The texture and flavor will slightly differ but still delicious!

How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing during melting?

Melt chocolate slowly at a low temperature, stirring frequently. Using a double boiler or candy melter is ideal. If you microwave, heat in short bursts (20-30 seconds), stirring between each to keep the chocolate smooth and prevent overheating.

Can I use other nuts instead of almonds for the ears?

Definitely! Slivered pistachios, finely chopped walnuts, or even mini chocolate chips can be cute and tasty ear alternatives. Just choose something small and light to keep the proportions mouse-like.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to fun desserts that never fail to evoke smiles and compliments. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing party treats, or just need a little kitchen adventure, these mice bring both charm and flavor with minimal fuss. I can’t wait for you to try this out and see how much joy a simple cherry and chocolate can bring. Give it a go—you’ll be delighted!