# What You'll Need:
→ Cherries
01 - 24 fresh, firm cherries, stems on and pitted (or well-drained high-quality maraschino cherries)
→ Chocolate Coating
02 - 7 oz dark chocolate (60–70% cocoa), chopped
03 - 1 tablespoon coconut oil or unsalted butter
→ Garnishes (optional)
04 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped pistachios
05 - 2 tablespoons desiccated coconut
06 - 2 tablespoons melted white chocolate (for drizzling)
# Directions:
01 - Wash and thoroughly dry the cherries. Pit fresh cherries carefully while keeping stems intact for dipping.
02 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
03 - In a heatproof bowl over simmering water, melt dark chocolate and coconut oil together, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.
04 - Hold each cherry by the stem, dip into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place dipped cherries onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
05 - Sprinkle some cherries with chopped pistachios or desiccated coconut before the chocolate sets for enhanced presentation.
06 - Optionally drizzle melted white chocolate over bites using a small spoon for decorative effect.
07 - Refrigerate the coated cherries for 20 minutes or until the chocolate fully hardens.
08 - Arrange the chocolate-covered cherries into a pyramid on a serving platter: base layer of 9, followed by layers of 7, 5, 3, and 1 on top.
09 - Serve immediately or keep chilled for up to 2 days.
