Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Key Ingredients
- Fresh Cherries: These serve as the sweet base of your treat; choose firm cherries for the best texture.
- Cream Cheese: Used for stuffing; it adds a rich and creamy element that balances the heat.
- Chili Powder: Provides the signature kick; adjust according to your preferred spice level.
- Bacon: Adds a savory crunch; use thick-cut bacon for optimal flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Enhances sweetness and caramelizes beautifully when cooked.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Cherries: Wash and dry fresh cherries thoroughly. Make sure to remove the stems but keep them whole for stuffing later.
- Create Filling: In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese with chili powder until well combined. Adjust seasoning based on taste preferences.
- Stuff Cherries: Using a piping bag or small spoon, carefully fill each cherry with the cream cheese mixture, ensuring they are generously stuffed.
- Bacon Wrapping: Cut bacon strips in half and wrap each stuffed cherry tightly with one piece of bacon. Secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place wrapped cherries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until bacon is crispy.
- Sugar Glaze: In the last five minutes of baking, sprinkle brown sugar over each cherry to create a sweet glaze before finishing up in the oven.
Expert Tips
Selecting Cherries: When choosing cherries, look for ones that are firm and vibrant in color; this ensures freshness and enhances flavor. Bacon Choices: Opt for thick-cut bacon as it holds up better during cooking and adds more flavor compared to thinner varieties. You can prepare these cherry bombs ahead of time by stuffing and wrapping them before baking. Just store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook!Presentation Ideas
Your Aromatic Fireball Cherry Bombs deserve an equally stunning presentation! Serve them on a sleek platter garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for added color. For an extra touch, drizzle some balsamic reduction around the plate to elevate their visual appeal further. You can also pair these spicy treats with cooling dips like sour cream mixed with lime juice or avocado crema, making each bite even more enjoyable!FAQs
Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?
You can use frozen cherries; however, fresh cherries provide better texture and flavor. If using frozen ones, ensure they are completely thawed and drained before stuffing them to avoid excess moisture affecting the filling consistency.How can I adjust the spice level?
If you prefer milder flavors, reduce the amount of chili powder in your cream cheese mixture or substitute it with paprika for just color without heat. For those who crave more spice, consider adding finely chopped jalapeños or using hotter chili powders like cayenne pepper in addition to your existing ingredients.Aren’t these difficult to make?
No! While they may seem intricate due to their gourmet appearance, Aromatic Fireball Cherry Bombs are straightforward and require minimal culinary skills. As long as you follow each step carefully, you’ll achieve delightful results without much hassle!How should I store leftovers?
If you have any leftover cherry bombs (though unlikely!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat them briefly in an oven or microwave before enjoying again for best taste!Can I make these vegetarian-friendly?
You can easily adapt this recipe by omitting bacon altogether or replacing it with vegetarian substitutes like tempeh bacon or smoked mushrooms for that savory crunch while keeping everything else intact!
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Aromatic Fireball Cherry Bombs
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
Ignite your taste buds with these Aromatic Fireball Cherry Bombs! This delightful recipe combines the sweetness of fresh cherries with a spicy cream cheese filling, all wrapped in crispy bacon and finished with a sweet brown sugar glaze. Perfect for parties or cozy nights in, these cherry bombs promise to impress your guests and leave them craving more!
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 fresh cherries, stems removed
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 10 slices thick-cut bacon, cut in half
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese and chili powder until well combined.
- Stuff each cherry generously with the cream cheese mixture using a piping bag or small spoon.
- Wrap each stuffed cherry tightly with half a slice of bacon and secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- Arrange the wrapped cherries on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is crispy. In the last five minutes, sprinkle brown sugar over each cherry to create a sweet glaze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cherry bomb (37g)
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 175mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg