Chocolate, Cherries, And Hazelnuts Come Together In This Easy Dessert With No Baking Required

Decadent desserts don't have to be the kinds that you spend ages on. The most important component is the rich, impactful flavors — and that's exactly what you get with these chocolate covered cherries. Made with just three ingredients, this easy treat will be your go-to for guests, parties, or simply pampering yourself with something sweet.

The dessert's recipe developer, Jennine Rye, opts for choice ingredients to get the most out of the stripped-back treat. "Considering that this is a three-ingredient recipe, opting for high-quality chocolate is the best approach you can take to ensure optimal richness and chocolatey goodness," she says. Rye uses Belgian dark chocolate, but milk or white will do, as long as it's baking chocolate. Any type of cherry works, but make sure they're fresh and in-season for the best taste.

Hazelnuts are the final cherry on top of the no-bake, chocolatey treat. They have a toasty, slightly sweet flavor that's more impactful than peanuts. Plus, Rye likes the appearance the nuts give off: "A final dunk into crushed hazelnuts adds a certain textural contrast and visual appeal, making these homemade treats look like something straight from a candy shop." Once the cherries are washed and dried, stick them in the freezer for 15 minutes while you melt the chocolate. Cover them in the chocolate and dip the fruit into a bowl of chopped hazelnuts, and allow them to set before serving.

When you have a plate full of delectable cocoa-covered cherries, it's hard to resist simply popping them in your mouth. If that's the case, it's easy to whip up more to adorn a range of other luscious treats. Use the dessert as a garnish for a chocolate covered cherry brandy old fashioned. The cocktail is made with fresh cherry syrup and chocolate bitters, and the garnish is a nice solid complement to the drink. For an even boozier treat, soak the cherries in brandy before dipping them in chocolate.

The treat is a must for enjoying cherry ice cream, too. You can stick with dark chocolate for a bold flavor, go with white to make things light, or try a combination of the two. Switch the nuts up, as well; walnuts have a mild bitterness and a nice contrast to juicy cherries, while pistachios' gorgeous green hue and sweet flavor offer a pop of flavor and color. The chocolatey cherries pair well with other scoops of ice cream, such as rocky road or coffee ice cream.

If you have any leftovers from your batch of chocolate cherries, store them — with the stems intact — in an airtight container in the fridge. There, they should last you up to three or four days. When you're ready to use them again, allow the cherries to come to room temperature.