Celebrate our Aussie, seasonal  produce with this sweet and savoury Cherry Bomb Bites recipe. The candy-flavour of the cherries paired with the bitterness of the dark chocolate will make these delicious, not-too-sweet morsels a hit over the holidays! Whether you're making them as a festive treat, or to enjoy with a cuppa, you’ll want to have these stocked up in the fridge throughout summer! 

Serves: 20 

Preparation time:  25 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 200g cherries
• 1 ½   cup desiccated coconut
• 2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
• 200g dark chocolate
• ¼ cup (80 ml) pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or extract)
• pinch of salt

Method to make the cherry ripe bites:

1. Place the coconut, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, salt and cherries into the bowl of a food processor.
2. Using your hands, create small, bite-sized balls out of the cherry mixture and place them on a baking paper-lined dish. Place them in the fridge for 30 mins to set. 
3. Next, in a glass or metal bowl, break up the dark chocolate into small pieces. Place the bowl over a saucepan of shallow water, on medium heat and stir until all of the chocolate has melted.
4. Remove chocolate from heat, and take the balls out of the fridge. Using a toothpick or skewer (or your fingers!) dip the cherry balls into the chocolate, until evenly coated. Set aside on a baking paper-lined dish and place back in the fridge to set for another 30 mins 
5. Keep the cherry bites in the fridge for up to 1 week!

Enjoy!