Nothing beats a playful, sweet treat that also looks like a little work of art. That’s exactly what the Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe delivers—adorable, bite-sized mice made with maraschino cherries and milk chocolate that charm everyone at the party. Each one is as much fun to make as it is to eat!

A round white plate with a rough edge holds ten chocolate mouse-shaped treats. Each treat has two parts stacked: a larger round chocolate body and a smaller chocolate head in front. The heads have two almond slices for ears and two small black dots for eyes. A small red round candy forms the nose on each mouse, and a thin red string sticks out from the back, resembling a tail. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with part of a gold-wrapped chocolate and a red candy tray visible 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 Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe for a holiday get-together—everyone couldn’t stop admiring how cute the mice looked before devouring them. This recipe is a total crowd-pleaser, combining simple ingredients with a unique presentation anyone can pull off.

Delightful Presentation: These chocolate-dipped mice with almond ears are an adorable conversation starter on any dessert table.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of what you need—a huge win in last-minute prepping!
Easy Assembly: No fancy techniques required; I’ll guide you through making the dough soft and workable.
Customizable Flair: You can swap out extracts, chocolates, and decorations to fit your taste or occasion.

The image shows a white speckled plate filled with small chocolate mice arranged in neat rows. Each mouse has two oval-shaped layers: a larger, smooth, round chocolate body and a smaller chocolate nose cone, with two thin light almond slices placed on each side as ears. A red candy ball is on the tip of each nose, and a red cherry stem sticks out from the back of each mouse to form a tail. The mice have tiny black dots for eyes on their nose cones. Surrounding the plate are festive items, including a white marbled surface under everything, small chocolates wrapped in gold foil, a pine cone, a bowl with red candy pearls, and a cup of light-colored drink. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe relies on a handful of quality ingredients that come together perfectly—sweet cherries with sturdy stems, rich chocolate for dipping, and a smooth, almond-infused dough that molds like a dream. Here’s why each plays a starring role:

Flat lay of fresh maraschino cherries with stems, a small slab of unsalted butter, a small white bowl of corn syrup, a small white bowl of almond extract, a small white bowl of sifted powdered sugar, smooth milk chocolate melting wafers in a neat pile, unwrapped milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses arranged in a cluster, a small white bowl of almond slices, a small white bowl of black decorative icing, a small white bowl of red sugar pearls, whole uncracked brown eggs placed symmetrically, all arranged on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, 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 act as the “tails” of your mice, so picking cherries with long, intact stems is key for the cutest results.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps bind the dough while keeping flavors balanced.
Corn syrup: Gives the dough a smooth shine and keeps it pliable, which is super helpful when wrapping cherries.
Almond extract: My favorite addition here to complement the chocolate and almond ears; vanilla or coconut extracts can be fun swaps.
Powdered sugar: Sifted, so your dough stays smooth and lump-free for easy handling.
Milk chocolate melting wafers: Choose high-quality chocolate for a silky coating that hardens just right without cracking.
Milk chocolate almond Hershey's Kisses: The perfect “heads” for your mice—with just enough heft and shape to sit pretty on the chocolate bodies.
Almond slices: Sliced thinly to pop in as dainty ears, giving your mice that adorable character.
Black decorative icing: For drawing on tiny eyes—details make all the difference here!
Red sugar pearls: The cutest little noses that really bring your mice to life.

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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 love tweaking this Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe depending on the season or who I'm making it for. It’s fun to swap out extracts or chocolates to keep it fresh and suited to your personal style.

Variation: One holiday, I tried dark chocolate wafers instead of milk chocolate, and it gave the mice a richer, more sophisticated taste—my family couldn’t get enough!
Dietary Modifications: For a dairy-free version, try using a vegan butter substitute and dark chocolate that’s dairy-free.
Seasonal Changes: Using cherry cordial or soaking cherries in liquor before dipping can add a grown-up twist for special occasions.

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

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Ingredients

Line two baking trays with parchment paper to keep your mice safe and easy to move. Make sure your maraschino cherries are well drained and thoroughly dried—this helps the dough stick better and prevents soggy mice later.

Step 2: Mix the Dough to Soft Perfection

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, corn syrup, and almond extract with a hand mixer on medium speed until everything is smooth. Then gradually add sifted powdered sugar and knead with your hands to form a soft, pliable dough—think cookie dough texture, but a bit stickier. Don’t worry if it feels a little tacky; a quick chill can help manage it before shaping.

Step 3: Wrap the Cherries Like a Pro

Pinch off about half a tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball, then gently flatten it into a disc in your palm. Place a cherry (stem side up) in the center and wrap dough around it, leaving the stem sticking out—this is your mouse’s tail! Roll gently to smooth the dough but be careful not to break those precious tails.

Step 4: Chill and Dip in Chocolate

Arrange your dough-wrapped cherries on the baking trays and pop them into the fridge for 2 to 4 hours. When firm, melt your milk chocolate wafers gently in the microwave or double boiler. Holding the mice by their stems, dip each one completely in chocolate, then lay on its side back on the tray.

Step 5: Add Heads, Ears, and Faces

Before the chocolate sets, press a Hershey’s Kiss onto the opposite side of the stem as the mouse’s head. Slip two almond slices between the chocolate “body” and head for ears. Then, use a toothpick dipped in melted chocolate to attach a red sugar pearl nose on the Kiss and draw tiny black eyes with decorative icing.

Top Tip

After making these mice a few times, I found these tips really make the process smoother and the results cuter.

Keep Cherries Dry: Pat cherries dry after draining to avoid soggy dough and to help prevent chocolate from seizing while dipping.
Temperature Control: Don’t overheat the chocolate—warm and smooth is perfect, but too hot will melt your dough mice or make dipping tricky.
Work in Batches: Dip and decorate several mice at a time, but take breaks if the chocolate thickens—refresh by gently reheating as needed.
Be Gentle: Handling the mice carefully by the stems keeps those precious tails intact and makes for adorable finished treats.

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe

chocolate cherry mice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep the garnishes simple—almond ears and sugar pearl noses are enough for me. Sometimes I sprinkle a tiny dusting of edible glitter for festive sparkle, especially around holidays. It’s such a fun touch without overpowering the look.

Side Dishes

These mice are perfect on their own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a rich chocolate mousse for dessert spreads. I’ve also served them alongside coffee and tea at brunch — they’re a whimsical sweet nibble that always makes guests smile.

Creative Ways to Present

A recent favorite is arranging them in a cheesecloth “nest” on a rustic platter for a woodland-themed party — everyone loved the playful nature of biting into these charming little critters. You can also place them in mini cupcake liners or small treat boxes for gift giving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover mice covered tightly in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and delicious for up to three weeks, which is great if you want to make them ahead for an event.

Freezing

Freezing works well too—I place the mice in a single layer on a tray first, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge to keep their shape and texture intact.

Reheating

No reheating needed—these mice are best served cold or at room temperature. Just let frozen ones thaw gently to avoid condensation making the chocolate sticky.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Frozen cherries don’t have stems and are much juicier, so they won’t hold the dough properly and could make the mice soggy. Maraschino cherries with stems are essential for both structure and appearance.

What if I don’t have almond extract?

Vanilla extract is a perfect substitute if almond extract isn’t on hand. You can also experiment with coconut extract for a tropical twist. The mice will still taste amazing with these alternatives.

How do I prevent the chocolate from cracking once it sets?

Use a good-quality chocolate melting wafer or couverture chocolate and temper if you’re comfortable with that. Avoid sudden temperature changes—once dipped, let the chocolate set at room temperature or in the fridge gently for smooth, shiny coating.

Can I make these mice in advance for a party?

Absolutely! These mice can be made a few days ahead and stored refrigerated. In fact, making them in advance lets flavors meld, and keeping them chilled ensures they maintain their shape and fresh texture.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Cherry Mice Recipe has become one of my go-to festive treats, especially when I want to surprise friends with something both charming and delicious. It’s easy enough that anyone can master it, but creative enough to wow a crowd. I really hope you enjoy making—and munching on—these little chocolatey critters as much as I do!