These cherry ripe balls are a total game-changer. The first time I made them (and the second and third), I would have them in the fridge and every time I walked past, I just had to grab one. I've had so many requests to remake them because they are incredibly delicious (and perfect for those cherry cravings).
TL;DR
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Fridge storage: 1-2 weeks
- Freezer storage: 3 months
- Customise: adjust biscuits based on preference, drizzle with chocolate, customise with different condensed milk options
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Why you'll love this recipe
No-bake. Just like Rum Balls and Gingerbread Truffles, these cherry ripe balls require no baking.
Irresistible. The mix of sweet cherries, creamy coconut, and rich dark chocolate creates a classic, crowd-pleasing flavour like my cherry ripe slice.
Gifting. Cherry truffles are perfectly festive and this recipe makes a large batch making them perfect for gifting (maybe Christmas or Valentines Day) alongside Sugar Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies and even Reindeer Tim Tams.
Ingredients and substitutions
Glace cherries. The glace cherries are sticky so help hold it all together. Dried cherries or fresh cherries could be used as an alternative, but you will have to adjust the ratios of the other ingredients.
Crushed biscuits. Add structure and a slight crunch. I used digestive biscuits for one batch, and arrowroot biscuits for another and both worked well.
Desiccated coconut. Cherry Ripe's have coconut in the middle of the candy bar with the cherry. It helps to provide structure and texture making these cherry ripe balls very similar.
Coconut condensed milk. Binds everything together and maintains the coconut flavour (while making these cherry ripe balls dairy-free).
But, you can use regular condensed milk or even oat condensed milk. I've made different balls with each of them and all work very similarly.
Dark chocolate. Used for the topping, it adds a rich, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet filling; milk chocolate can be substituted for a milder flavour.
Please check the recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantity.
How to make cherry ripe balls
Step 1: Combine the mixture
By hand. Finely chop the glace cherries and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the crushed biscuits, desiccated coconut, and coconut condensed milk, then mix with a spoon or your hands until the mixture forms a sticky dough.
Food Processor. Add the glace cherries, crushed biscuits, desiccated coconut, and coconut condensed milk to the processor. Pulse until evenly combined into a sticky dough.
Step 2: Scoop small portions (approx. 1-2 tbsp) of the mixture and roll into bite-sized balls with your hands. Place the balls on a parchment-lined tray.
If the dough is gooey and hard to manage, refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow it to firm up before trying to form.
Step 3: Refrigerate the cherry ripe balls for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
Step 4: Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or microwave in short bursts. Remove from heat when half melted and stir until smooth.
Step 5: Dip each ball into the melted chocolate or drizzle it on top for decoration.
Step 6: Refrigerate the decorated balls for another 10-15 minutes until the chocolate sets. Serve chilled (especially if you live in Australia where it's hot during the summer months).
My Top Tips
Wear gloves for rolling. The mixture can be quite sticky and if you're not a fan of messy hands, I recommend wearing food-safe gloves when rolling.
Work quickly with the chocolate. When dipping or drizzling the cherry balls in chocolate, ensure it's warm and fluid for easy coating (it'll set very quickly once it touches the refrigerated balls).
Storing in fridge or freezer
These will store in the fridge for up to a week. They should be fine after that, but they may lose some of its oomph.
If you want to freeze, arrange in a single layer to harden first (that way they won't stick to each other) then transfer to a freezer safe bag. They'll be fine for at least 3 months.
I wouldn't recommend leaving them at room temperature (especially if you're in a warm climate) as the condensed milk can change textures and make the balls sink.
FAQs
Fresh cherries aren't recommended as they contain too much moisture, but dried cherries can be a great alternative for a chewy texture. If you want to use fresh cherries, you'll need to decrease the amount of condensed milk and potentially increase the dried ingredients.
Digestive biscuits or graham crackers work best, but you can also use any plain, slightly sweet biscuit like Marie or Arrowroot.
If the mixture is too moist to roll into balls, refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes to firm up before shaping. Alternatively, you can add a little more crushed biscuits or desiccated coconut to absorb the extra moisture.
Other Christmas-themed snacks to try
Or, you can have a browse through my Christmas recipes for more delicious eats.
Recipe
Cherry Ripe Balls
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 200 g (1 cups) glace cherries
- 120 g (1 cups) crushed biscuits, see note 1
- 350 g (3 ½ cups) desiccated coconut
- 320 ml (1 ¼ cups) coconut condensed milk, see note 2
- 50 g (¼ cups) dark chocolate, melted for topping
Instructions
Prepare mixture
- Option 1 - By hand. finely chop the 200 g (1 cups) glace cherries and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the 120 g (1 cups) crushed biscuits, 350 g (3 ½ cups) desiccated coconut, 320 ml (1 ¼ cups) coconut condensed milk. Mix with a spoon or your hands until it forms a sticky dough.
- Option 2 - food processor. Combine all the ingredients and pulsing until evenly mixed. If the dough is too gooey, refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up before rolling.
Scoop and form
- Scoop 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into bite-sized balls with your hands. Place the balls on a parchment-lined tray.
- Refrigerate the balls for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
Decorate
- Melt the 50 g (¼ cups) dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (not touching) or microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each ball into the melted chocolate or drizzle it on top for decoration.
- Refrigerate the decorated balls for another 10-15 minutes until the chocolate sets. Serve chilled, especially during warmer months.
Cathy Sampson
My family loved this!
Love the no bake aspect.
athletelunchbox
The no bake is always fantastic for this time of year in Australia! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Jenni.
Can't get to "see" the recipe as the adds get in the way and you cannot "X" them off!
athletelunchbox
Hi Jenni, thank you so much for your comment. I am sorry you are having difficulty with the ads, I will have a look at my settings and adjust as required. Unfortunately, I have to retain the ads to some extent as this helps me provide free recipes 🙂