Description
Transform leftover cranberry sauce into elegant chocolate confections! These sophisticated treats combine tart cranberry filling with rich dark chocolate coating. Perfect for holiday entertaining, gifts, or using up Thanksgiving leftovers in a gourmet way.
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Sauce Centers:
2 cups thick cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Coating:
12 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped
2 tablespoons coconut oil or shortening
Fresh cranberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare cranberry filling: In a medium saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 5-7 minutes until mixture thickens significantly. Cool completely, then refrigerate 1 hour until firm.
2. Shape the centers: Scoop chilled cranberry mixture into small portions and roll into 1-inch balls between your palms. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze 30 minutes until very firm.
3. Melt chocolate: In a double boiler over simmering water, melt chocolate and coconut oil, stirring until smooth and glossy. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
4. Dip the centers: Working quickly, dip each frozen cranberry ball into melted chocolate using a fork, allowing excess to drip off. Place on clean parchment-lined sheet.
5. Add garnish: While chocolate is wet, top with fresh cranberry if desired. Refrigerate 1 hour until chocolate is completely set.
Notes
- Use thick cranberry sauce – whole berry works better than jellied
- Ensure cranberry mixture is thick enough to hold shape when cooled
- Keep centers frozen while dipping for easier handling
- Add cornstarch to help bind the cranberry mixture
- Store in refrigerator up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months
- Try different chocolate types: milk chocolate for sweeter version, white chocolate for elegant contrast
- Add orange zest to cranberry mixture for citrus twist
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake, Confectionery
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg