Cherry Sugar Bites

Featured in desserts.

Hey there! Have you seen these gorgeous pink sugar cherries? They're absolutely stunning! Each juicy maraschino cherry still has its stem attached (perfect for easy handling) and is coated in a vibrant pink sugar crust that gives a delightful crunch before you reach the sweet cherry center. They're super simple to make but look incredibly impressive on a serving plate. Perfect for Valentine's Day, baby showers, or anytime you need a pop of color on your dessert table!

Tswira dial profile dial zaho awlaydi..
Updated on Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:08:13 GMT
Bright pink sugar-coated maraschino cherries arranged on a white plate, creating a stunning visual display pin it
Bright pink sugar-coated maraschino cherries arranged on a white plate, creating a stunning visual display | lonerecipes.com

I first encountered these charming Pink Sugared Cherry Bites at a friend's bridal shower and was instantly captivated by their whimsical appearance. They looked like something straight out of a fairy tale – vibrant pink jewels with stems that made them easy to pick up and enjoy. The contrast between the crunchy sugar coating and the soft, juicy cherry inside was delightful. I immediately asked for the recipe and was surprised to learn how simple they were to make. The magic happens when you dip the cherries in a light syrup before rolling them in colored sugar, creating that perfect crystallized exterior. I've made them countless times since then, and they never fail to bring smiles and compliments from guests who are enchanted by their playful appearance.

Why I love this recipe

I absolutely adore this Pink Sugared Cherry Bites recipe because it transforms a simple jar ingredient into something magical with minimal effort. There's something so satisfying about the process – watching the sugar crystals adhere to the sticky cherries, creating that perfect sparkly coating. I love how versatile they are; they can be elegant enough for adult gatherings but still playful enough for children's parties. The fact that they require no baking is a huge bonus, especially during warm months when I don't want to turn on the oven. But what I appreciate most is how they bring an instant wow factor to any dessert table. People always ask how I made them, assuming they're much more complicated than they actually are. It's one of those recipes that gives you a huge return on a very small investment of time and ingredients.

What You Need From Your Kitchen

  • Maraschino cherries: Use cherries with stems intact for the best presentation
  • Granulated sugar: Provides the crystallized exterior coating
  • Pink food coloring: Creates the vibrant pink color, gel food coloring works best
  • Light corn syrup: Helps the sugar adhere to the cherries
  • Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle flavor enhancement to the coating

Let's Make These Together

Prepare the cherries
Start by draining your maraschino cherries thoroughly and patting them completely dry with paper towels. Be gentle to keep the stems intact, as they're not just decorative but also make the cherries easier to handle. Any moisture left on the cherries will prevent the sugar from adhering properly.
Color the sugar
Pour granulated sugar into a shallow bowl and add pink food coloring a few drops at a time. Use a fork to mix thoroughly, crushing any clumps until you achieve a uniform color. Gel food coloring works best as it won't add unwanted moisture to the sugar. Add more coloring gradually until you reach your desired shade of pink.
Make adhesive syrup
In a separate small bowl, whisk together light corn syrup, water, and vanilla extract until well combined. This mixture will act as the "glue" that helps the colored sugar stick to the cherries while adding a hint of flavor.
Coat with sugar
Working with one cherry at a time, hold it by the stem and dip it into the syrup mixture, ensuring it's completely coated. Let excess syrup drip off for a few seconds, then immediately roll the cherry in the pink sugar, turning it to coat all sides evenly. Gently shake off any excess sugar.
Arrange and serve
Place each sugared cherry on a parchment-lined tray and allow them to set at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Once set, arrange them on your serving plate with stems pointing upward for the most attractive presentation.
Recipe picture pin it
Festive pink sugar-crusted cherry treats perfect for Valentine's Day, baby showers, or princess themed parties | lonerecipes.com

Switch Things Up

The first time I made these Pink Sugared Cherry Bites was for my niece's princess-themed birthday party. I was looking for something both beautiful and easy to make that would match the pink color scheme. When I brought these out on a silver platter, the little girls gasped with delight! Since then, I've experimented with different colors of sugar for different occasions - blue for baby showers, green for Christmas, and even rainbow colors for Pride month celebrations. The technique is always the same, but changing the color creates an entirely different effect.

Perfect Pairings

These Pink Sugared Cherry Bites pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream, allowing the bright colors to pop against the creamy white background. They also make a delightful garnish for cocktails or mocktails, especially pink champagne or lemonade. For a more substantial dessert spread, serve them alongside chocolate truffles, coconut macaroons, or shortbread cookies. The combination of textures and flavors creates a well-rounded sweet experience that guests will love.

Sweet candied cherries with stems intact, rolled in vibrant pink sugar for a beautiful dessert presentation pin it
Sweet candied cherries with stems intact, rolled in vibrant pink sugar for a beautiful dessert presentation | lonerecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use different colors of sugar?

Absolutely! You can use any food coloring to create different colored sugars to match your event theme. Red for Christmas, blue for boy baby showers, green for St. Patrick's Day, or even multiple colors for a rainbow effect.

→ How far in advance can I make these?

These sugared cherries can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Store them in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The sugar coating may begin to dissolve if stored longer due to the moisture in the cherries.

→ Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino?

While you could use fresh cherries, maraschino cherries work best for this recipe because they're already stemmed, pitted, and have a vibrant color and sweetness that complements the sugar coating. Fresh cherries would need to be pitted and might release too much juice.

→ Why is my sugar not sticking properly?

If your sugar isn't adhering well, there are two likely culprits: either the cherries weren't dried thoroughly enough, or the syrup mixture is too thin. Make sure to pat the cherries completely dry and consider reducing the water in the syrup mixture slightly.

→ Are there any alternatives to corn syrup?

Yes, you can substitute honey, agave nectar, or a simple sugar syrup (equal parts sugar and water, boiled until the sugar dissolves, then cooled). Each will alter the flavor slightly, but they'll all work as an adhesive for the sugar.

Conclusion

These Pink Sugared Cherry Bites are the perfect way to elevate an ordinary maraschino cherry into something spectacular. The vibrant pink sugar coating provides a sweet crunch that perfectly complements the juicy cherry center. They're not just delicious but also create a stunning visual display that's sure to impress at any gathering. These little treats prove that sometimes the simplest recipes can create the most magical results.

Cherry Sugar Bites

Sweet maraschino cherries coated in pink sugar for a delightful, bite-sized treat perfect for parties and special occasions.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
0 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: chris

Category: desserts

Difficulty: easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 balls)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Sweet Treats

Ingredients

0124 maraschino cherries with stems, drained and patted dry
021/2 cup granulated sugar
03Pink food coloring (gel works best)
041/4 cup light corn syrup
052 tablespoons water
061 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 01

Drain maraschino cherries with stems intact. Pat them completely dry with paper towels, being careful not to remove the stems. Any moisture will prevent the sugar from adhering properly.

Step 02

Place granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Add a few drops of pink food coloring and mix thoroughly with a fork until the sugar is uniformly colored. Add more coloring gradually until you achieve your desired shade of pink.

Step 03

In a small bowl, combine the light corn syrup, water, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well blended. This mixture will help the sugar adhere to the cherries.

Step 04

Holding each cherry by its stem, dip it into the syrup mixture, ensuring it's completely coated but not dripping excessively. Let any excess syrup drip off for a few seconds.

Step 05

Immediately roll the coated cherry in the pink sugar, turning to coat all sides completely. Gently shake off any excess sugar and place the cherry on a parchment-lined tray.

Step 06

Allow the sugared cherries to set at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Arrange them on a serving plate, making sure the stems are pointing upward for an attractive presentation.

Notes

  1. For best results, ensure cherries are completely dry before coating to help the sugar adhere properly.
  2. These can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  3. If the sugar becomes too wet from the cherry juice, prepare a fresh batch of colored sugar.
  4. Try different colors for different occasions - red for Christmas, blue for boy baby showers, etc.
  5. Use high-quality maraschino cherries with stems intact for the best presentation.

Tools You'll Need

  • Shallow bowls for sugar and syrup
  • Fork for mixing colored sugar
  • Paper towels
  • Parchment paper
  • Serving plate
  • Small whisk

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Cherries (for those with cherry allergies)
  • Artificial food coloring (may cause reactions in sensitive individuals)
  • Corn syrup (for those with corn allergies)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 45
  • Total Fat: 0 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 12 g
  • Protein: 0 g

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