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National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

Indulge your sweet tooth and celebrate National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day with delicious treats, recipes, and fun activities!

Sunday

January 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJanuary 3

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYChocolate

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to indulge in some deliciousness on National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, January 3rd! This holiday has been around since 1985 and celebrates one of the most iconic combinations of chocolate and cherries. The combination is said to have originated in France during the 19th century, but it quickly spread all over Europe and eventually gained worldwide popularity. Whether you prefer dark or milk chocolate covered cherries, this day is a great excuse to treat yourself with your favorite sweet snack.

TIMELINE

National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day Timeline

Cherries Appeared in Europe

The cherries we know today were first introduced to Europe from western Asia around the 16th century and were often preserved in liquors including brandy and rum.

Industrial Chocolate Making Began

Conrad Van Houten patented a method to extract the fat from cocoa beans and make powdered cocoa and cocoa butter, making industrial chocolate production possible.

First Chocolate-covered Cherries

Cella's, a New York-based sweet manufacturer, began producing chocolate-covered cherries.

Popularity Explosion

With the popularization of boxed chocolates, chocolate-covered cherries became a popular gift, especially for Christmas and Valentine's Day.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

Make your own chocolate covered cherries

Making your own chocolate covered cherries is easy and fun! You'll need some fresh cherries, a bar of dark or semi-sweet chocolate, and some wax paper. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, dip the cherries in the melted chocolate, place them on the wax paper, then allow them to cool.

Go out for chocolate covered cherries

Head to your local candy store and pick up a box of gourmet chocolate covered cherries. They come in all kinds of flavors like raspberry, coconut and even bourbon.

BAKE

Bake a chocolate cherry cake

Nothing says celebration like a homemade cake! Look online for recipes, or head to your favorite bakery and pick one up.

ORDER

Order a chocolate cherry ice cream sundae

Why not treat yourself? Head over to your local ice cream parlor and order yourself a decadent sundae topped with chocolate sauce and cherries.

MAKE

Make chocolate cherry truffles

Making truffles is easier than you think! All you need is some cream cheese, melted semi sweet chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, chopped dried cherries, and white or dark chocolate for dipping. Mix it all together and roll into balls before dipping in the melted chocolate.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day

Chocolate covered cherries are perfect for gift giving

Gift giving doesn't get any sweeter than with chocolate covered cherries. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also taste amazing - making them the perfect gift for special occasions like birthdays or Valentine's day!

Chocolate covered cherries are a classic

The combination of sweet and tart cherries coated in rich, decadent chocolate is one that never goes out of style. Whether it's boxes of candies or delicious homemade treats, Chocolate Covered Cherry Day is the perfect time to indulge your taste buds in this classic confection!

Chocolate covered cherries are easy to make

You don't have to be a master chocolatier to whip up some delicious chocolate covered cherries. All you need are maraschino cherries, melted semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips , and whatever toppings you want for an added kick!