There’s something utterly charming about these little chocolate delights that look like tiny mice! The combination of sweet cherries and silky chocolate in this Chocolate Cherry Mice Treats Recipe is just pure magic—you’ll love how festive and fun they are to make and share.

A white round plate holds ten small chocolate mice arranged close together. Each mouse has two layers: a larger smooth chocolate ball for the body and a smaller chocolate ball for the head, attached in front. Two almond slices are placed on the top of the head as ears, showing their light beige color and slightly rough texture. Tiny black dots form the eyes on the front of the head, and a small red candy forms the nose at the tip of the head. A thin red string sticks out the back side of each mouse, acting as the tail. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with scattered candy and wrapping 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 Treats Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Treats Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Cherry Mice Treats Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, making these Chocolate Cherry Mice Treats feels like a little celebration every time. I love how creative you can get with decorating, and they always impress guests with their cute, whimsical flair.

Delightful Appearance: They look complicated but are actually straightforward and fun to make, perfect for sharing with family or gifting.
Balanced Flavors: The tartness of maraschino cherries pairs beautifully with creamy milk chocolate and subtle almond notes.
Customizable Details: You can switch up the "ears," "eyes," or "nose" decorations easily to suit your style or occasion.
Perfect Make-Ahead Treat: They chill nicely, making them a great option to prepare in advance for parties or holidays.

A round white plate holds thirteen small treats shaped like mice, each treat has two round milk chocolate balls stacked as the body and head, with a red cherry stem sticking out from the back as the tail. The head has two small light almond slices for ears and two tiny black dots for eyes, with a small red dot on the tip for the nose. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with pinecones and green leaves around the plate, along with some golden foil-wrapped chocolates and bowls with red candy spheres visible at the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Chocolate Cherry Mice Treats Recipe come together to create a perfect balance of texture and flavor—from soft dough hugging juicy cherries to smooth chocolate coats.

Flat lay of fresh maraschino cherries with stems, a small glob of softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden corn syrup, a small white ceramic bowl holding clear almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl heaped with sifted powdered sugar, smooth milk chocolate melting wafers arranged neatly, unwrapped milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses, delicate almond slices spread evenly, a small white ceramic bowl of glossy black decorative icing, a small white ceramic bowl filled with shiny red sugar pearls 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 with stems: The stems are essential—they become the mice tails and make the treats instantly recognizable and cute.
Unsalted butter: Provides richness without overpowering sweetness, keeping the flavor balanced.
Corn syrup: Adds just the right amount of stickiness to help bind the dough and keep it pliable.
Almond extract: Works beautifully with the milk chocolate and almond Kisses, giving a subtle nutty aroma.
Powdered sugar: Gives structure to the dough and ensures it stays soft yet moldable.
Milk chocolate melting wafers: Smooth melting chocolate is key for dipping and coating without clumping or seizing.
Milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses: These form the adorable heads of the mice, adding flavor and shape.
Almond slices: Perfect ears that add texture and an extra nutty note.
Black decorative icing: Used to dot the eyes, adding personality to each mouse.
Red sugar pearls: Tiny red noses that complete the cute little faces.

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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 like to tweak this Chocolate Cherry Mice Treats Recipe depending on the season or mood. Sometimes I swap almond extract for vanilla for a more classic take, or use dark chocolate wafers for a richer flavor. You should definitely play around with what you like—it’s part of the fun!

Variation: One time, I tried using white chocolate Kisses and added a tiny dash of coconut extract instead of almond—it was a hit with my coconut-loving friends.
Dietary modification: You can substitute the powdered sugar with a suitable sugar-free alternative if you’re watching carbs, but the texture will change slightly.
Seasonal twist: Around holidays, I sometimes swap red sugar pearls for tiny green sprinkles or edible glitter for a festive sparkle.

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

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Dough

First, I line two baking trays with parchment paper—trust me, it saves a mess later! Then, I mix the softened butter, corn syrup, and almond extract until everything is silky smooth. Gradually folding in the sifted powdered sugar by hand helps me feel when the dough is soft but not sticky—perfect for wrapping around those cherries.

Step 2: Wrap Each Cherry with Dough

I pinch off about half a tablespoon of dough and roll it between my hands into a little ball. Flattening it gently, I place one maraschino cherry (with stem visible) in the center and carefully wrap the dough around it. It takes a gentle touch not to snap the stem—these are your mice tails! Then I smooth each ball carefully and lay them on the parchment-lined tray.

Step 3: Chill Until Firm

I pop the trays into the fridge for 2 to 4 hours to let the dough firm up. This step is key—skip it, and your treats won't hold their shape well during chocolate dipping. Patience here really pays off!

Step 4: Melt Chocolate and Dip

While the mice are chilling, melt the milk chocolate wafers slowly, stirring often to keep it smooth and glossy. When chilled, hold each mouse by the stem and dip it in the melted chocolate—coating it well. Then lay them carefully on the tray, on their sides, so they don’t roll around.

Step 5: Add Heads, Ears, and Facial Features

Quickly place a Hershey’s Kiss on the opposite side of the stem for the mouse’s head, pressing gently before the coating sets. Tuck almond slice ears between the body and head, then add a tiny dot of melted chocolate to stick on a red sugar pearl for the nose, and finish with two black icing dots for eyes. I like to use a toothpick for these delicate details.

Top Tip

From my experience, taking your time at each step is what makes the difference between a good and a truly adorable batch of Chocolate Cherry Mice Treats. Here are a few handy tips that helped me nail it every time:

Gentle Handling: Be super gentle wrapping the dough around the cherries to keep stems intact—they’re your mice tails and the cutest part!
Chocolate Melting: Use a double boiler or candy melter if possible to avoid overheating and seizing your chocolate. I’ve learned microwaving in 30-second bursts, stirring between, works well too.
Chilling Time: Don’t rush the chilling step; it makes dipping much easier and cleaner.
Decoration Timing: Add noses and eyes while chocolate is still wet so they stick well, then refrigerate to set completely.

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Treats Recipe

chocolate cherry mice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple—red sugar pearls for the noses add a festive pop, and almond slices make perfect ears. For a fun twist, I sometimes add tiny edible glitter or swap the black icing eyes for little candy eyeballs, which always get a smile!

Side Dishes

These mice treats pair wonderfully with light bowls of fresh fruit or a cup of hot tea or coffee to balance their sweetness. They also make a fun dessert table addition alongside cookies and mini pastries.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve displayed them on tiered cake stands surrounded by fresh mint leaves or dark chocolate shavings to create a woodland vibe. Wrapping individual mice in small cellophane bags tied with ribbons turns them into charming edible favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover Chocolate Cherry Mice Treats in an airtight container in the fridge, lined with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. This way, they stay fresh and firm for up to three weeks—perfect for spreading out the enjoyment.

Freezing

Freezing works well, too. I place them on a tray to freeze solid before transferring to a freezer-safe container wrapped in parchment layers. When thawed in the fridge overnight, they maintain their texture nicely with no chocolate cracking.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t really necessary, but if you want to soften the chocolate a bit, let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Avoid microwaving directly—it can melt the shape and decorations.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries don’t work quite the same because they have more moisture and don’t hold up well when coated in dough and chocolate. Maraschino cherries are ideal since they're sweet, firm, and ready to handle the process without leaking.

What’s the best way to prevent the chocolate from seizing?

To avoid seizing, melt your chocolate slowly over low heat or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently. Make sure there’s no water or steam coming into contact with the chocolate, as even a small amount of moisture can cause it to seize.

How do I keep the dough from being too sticky?

If the dough feels too sticky to handle, gradually add a little more powdered sugar and knead again. Alternatively, chilling the dough briefly in the fridge makes it easier to work with without adding excess sugar.

Can I make these mice treats without almond extract?

Absolutely! While almond extract pairs beautifully with the chocolate and Kisses, you can substitute vanilla or coconut extract depending on your preference—each provides a lovely twist.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Cherry Mice Treats Recipe has become one of my favorite seasonal staples because it combines whimsy, deliciousness, and the joy of creating something handmade. I can’t recommend it enough—give it a try, and you’ll see why these little mice keep wiggling their way into holiday traditions and celebrations. I’m excited to hear how you personalize yours!