Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls

  Desserts

Here's my twist on the traditional German holiday lebkuchen—with a surprise inside. Maraschino cherries add a sweet and unexpected punch to the holiday spice of gingersnaps.

Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. + chilling
YIELD: 5 dozen.

Ingredients

  • 40 gingersnap cookies
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
  • 1-1/4 cups sliced almonds, divided
  • 2 tablespoons chopped candied orange peel
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 60 maraschino cherries, stems removed

Instructions

  • 1. Place gingersnaps, cream cheese, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup almonds, orange peel and extract in a food processor; process until combined. Refrigerate until firm enough to form into balls. Pat cherries dry with paper towels. Wrap each cherry with a rounded tablespoonful of cream cheese mixture; shape into a ball. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
  • 2. Chop remaining sliced almonds; set aside. In a double boiler, melt remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Dip cherry balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Sprinkle balls with almonds. Place on waxed paper. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts

1 ball: 76 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 37mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.

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