My dad loved Cherry Mash candy but he was diabetic and could only have one once in a while. When the candy company came out with the Mini-Cherry Mash, it was a very good day at our house. Dad was bed fast by then and I was taking care of him full time while my mom (who was 20 years younger) continued to work. I could buy a bag of those and put them in the freezer allowing one every so often, the bag would last a year. They were hard to find back then (1992) but now it seems nearly impossible.
Lately, I have been reminded of dad often. It is not near his birthday or the day he passed but for some reason I keep catching parts of old John Wayne movies (his favorite), hearing Merle Haggard on the radio, glimpsing the swagger of a tall big man far ahead of me, or noticing the recently returned mirthful glint in my husband’s blue eyes; all reminding me of the man who used to compliment me every day, bought me flowers and candy every Valentine’s Day, held the door for me, held my coat for me, and always stood when I, or any other female, got up from the dining table. Lastly, I started craving Cherry Mash candy.
My quest for Cherry Mash candy took me to several stores throughout the metro area and I finally found them. The taste was not as vivid as I remembered and there was an odd “waxy” taste as well. They weren’t bad, just not as good. Since I’ve been learning to cook I thought I could make my own! I searched the Internet and didn’t find a recipe. One blogger had something close, in that it was cherry and chocolate but it was more of a layered fudge with peanut butter involved and I wanted mine to look and taste like the real thing. I decided I could just make up my own recipe with the knowledge I have acquired over the last year so I pinned that recipe and began searching for cherry chips. Once again, I went to several stores throughout the metro but this time I was not successful. Finally I ordered them from Here. When they arrived, I found on the back panel, a close approximation of the recipe from the blogger – also made with peanut butter and in a layered fudge. That’s when I decided to go all maverick and do my own thing.
Recipe for the cherry filling:
1. 1 small can of evaporated milk
2. 1 Cup of mini marshmallows (or 16 large ones)
3. 2 Cups sugar
4. 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
5. 1 bag of Cherry Chips
Directions:
1. Put the first four ingredients into a saucepan with medium heat.
2. While stirring frequently, allow it to come up to a boil.
3. Stirring constantly now, allow to boil for five minutes.
4. Take saucepan off burner and quickly stir in cherry chips until smooth.
5. Pour cherry filling into a 9 x 13 dish that has wax paper covering the inside.
6. Set dish aside and allow cooling to room temperature. About 45 minutes. Don’t put it in the fridge to hasten the cool down because it will get too hard. Then you will have to use the microwave where it will get too hot. Since you end up waiting the full 45 minutes needed anyway, set it aside and allow it to cool on its own.
7. After 45 minutes has passed, roll 1 teaspoonful cherry filling into a ball and set on baking sheet covered in either wax paper or no-stick foil.
8. When all balls are made, cover loosely and place in freezer for two hours or even overnight.
Coating Recipe:
1. 1 and ½ bags of dark chocolate morsels (18 ounces) **to make up for nuts**
2. ¼ Cup Shortening
3. 1 Cup Chopped no skin peanuts (I used pecans because that’s what we prefer)
Directions:
1. Place morsels and shortening in a double boiler and stir until smooth and creamy.
2. Mix in nuts until well mixed.
3. Take off burner and prepare to dip balls.
4. Working in batches of 2 or 3 at a time, take frozen balls from freezer and dip in chocolate one at a time, lift out of saucepan and place on non-stick paper or foil on another baking sheet.
5. When all candies are covered in chocolate, set in a cool place until outer chocolate has set.
6. May decorate as desired after candy is completely set.
I hope you enjoy these because they are very good. I took some to work this morning and they were gobbled up very quick by those who like cherries. Enjoy!
