There’s something ridiculously charming and delicious about these little treats — the fun shapes, the mix of chocolate and cherries, and that touch of almond flair that seals the deal. This Chocolate Cherry Mice Cookies Recipe is not just cute; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser every time.

A white round plate holds ten small chocolate mice arranged close together. Each mouse has two layers: a larger smooth chocolate ball for the body and a smaller chocolate ball for the head, attached in front. Two almond slices are placed on the top of the head as ears, showing their light beige color and slightly rough texture. Tiny black dots form the eyes on the front of the head, and a small red candy forms the nose at the tip of the head. A thin red string sticks out the back side of each mouse, acting as the tail. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with scattered candy and wrapping in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Mice Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Cherry Mice Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe isn’t your everyday cookie. I love how it combines playful presentation with simple, straightforward baking. Plus, making those little mice together feels like a fun craft session in the kitchen — perfect for baking with kids or friends.

Unique Presentation: These mice-shaped cookies instantly brighten any dessert table with their adorable look.
Easy to Make: The ingredients are simple, and the steps are fun, so you’re never overwhelmed.
Perfect Flavor Combo: The mix of sweet cherries, smooth chocolate, and almond extract hits all the right notes.
Great for Gifting: These little mice cookies make charming homemade gifts that everyone will appreciate.

A round white plate holds thirteen small treats shaped like mice, each treat has two round milk chocolate balls stacked as the body and head, with a red cherry stem sticking out from the back as the tail. The head has two small light almond slices for ears and two tiny black dots for eyes, with a small red dot on the tip for the nose. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with pinecones and green leaves around the plate, along with some golden foil-wrapped chocolates and bowls with red candy spheres visible at the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Chocolate Cherry Mice Cookies Recipe plays a star role. From the juicy cherries to the buttery dough and smooth chocolate, every element comes together to create that perfect balance of taste and texture.

Flat lay of fresh maraschino cherries with stems, a small glob of softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden corn syrup, a small white ceramic bowl holding clear almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl heaped with sifted powdered sugar, smooth milk chocolate melting wafers arranged neatly, unwrapped milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses, delicate almond slices spread evenly, a small white ceramic bowl of glossy black decorative icing, a small white ceramic bowl filled with shiny red sugar pearls placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Maraschino cherries with stems: The stems are key—they become the mice tails and provide a handle for dipping.
Unsalted butter: Softening it to room temp allows the dough to come together smoothly without greasiness.
Corn syrup: Adds a bit of sticky sweetness and helps bind the dough.
Almond extract: This gives a lovely nutty note that pairs beautifully with the chocolate and cherries.
Powdered sugar: Using powdered instead of granulated keeps the dough soft and easy to shape.
Milk chocolate melting wafers: These melt smoothly, perfect for dipping and coating without a grainy texture.
Milk chocolate almond Hershey’s Kisses: The perfect size and shape for the mouse heads.
Almond slices: Represent the ears—simply adorable and crunchy.
Black decorative icing: Perfect for drawing tiny eyes with precision.
Red sugar pearls: Those sweet little noses add character and shine.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I cherish most about the Chocolate Cherry Mice Cookies Recipe is how much room there is for your own spin. I’ve tried swapping almond extract for vanilla or coconut extract when I wanted a slightly different vibe — and honestly, it was just as delightful.

Variation: I once replaced milk chocolate melting wafers with dark chocolate for a richer flavor, which my family loved especially during holiday seasons.
Dietary swap: Using dairy-free butter and vegan chocolate can make this recipe suitable for those with dietary restrictions—just keep an eye on melting consistency.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Mice Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Create the Dough

Start by softening your butter to room temperature—this makes mixing a breeze. Combine the butter, corn syrup, and almond extract using a hand mixer until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, kneading by hand until a soft, pliable dough forms. This dough should feel tender but not sticky; if it’s too sticky, just add a touch more powdered sugar.

Step 2: Wrap the Cherries in Dough

Pinch off about half a tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball, then flatten it into a disc in your palms. Place one maraschino cherry (stem-side up) in the middle, carefully wrapping the dough around it while keeping the stem exposed—it’s the mouse tail! Gently roll the bundle in your palms to smooth the surface without breaking that vital stem. Place them on a parchment-lined baking tray as you go.

Step 3: Chill the Mice

Once all your dough-wrapped cherries are ready, pop the tray into the fridge for 2-4 hours. This chills them nicely and firms up the dough, making the next steps easier.

Step 4: Dip and Assemble

Melt your milk chocolate wafers gently—using a microwave in 30-second bursts or on a double boiler. Holding each cherry by the stem, dip it into the melted chocolate, then lay it on its side on parchment. Before the chocolate sets, gently press one Hershey’s Kiss for the head and slide two almond slices between the Kiss and cherry to make ears.

Step 5: Add the Final Details

To bring your mice to life, dab a tiny bit of melted chocolate on the tip of each Kiss and stick on a red sugar pearl for the nose. Use black decorative icing to dot on eyes—this part always brings a smile. Once decorated, chill the cookies again until set and ready.

Top Tip

Having made these Chocolate Cherry Mice Cookies Recipe more times than I can count, I’ve picked up a few nuggets of wisdom that really make the process smoother and the results flawless.

Keep the stems intact: The mice tails are what make these cookies so charming, so handle the cherries carefully when rolling the dough.
Chocolate Tempering Matters: Melt chocolate slowly and stir frequently to avoid seizing or graininess—it keeps the coating shiny and smooth.
Chill Before Dipping: Don’t skip the chilling step—it helps the dough firm up for easier dipping and less mess.
Eyes and Nose Patience: Use a toothpick for your icing eyes and give the sugar pearls a moment to set before moving the cookies to avoid smearing.

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Mice Cookies Recipe

chocolate cherry mice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a tiny bit of edible gold dust or a light dusting of powdered sugar on the serving platter to make these little mice pop even more. Sometimes, I add a few fresh mint leaves for a hint of green that complements the reds and browns beautifully.

Side Dishes

For a delightful tea time, I pair the mice cookies with a warm cup of Earl Grey or a rich hot chocolate. They also work beautifully on a dessert board alongside fresh berries, biscotti, and a creamy cheesecake dip for dipping the mice!

Creative Ways to Present

For a birthday or holiday party, I arrange the mice cookies around a tiny block of Swiss cheese (wrapped in parchment for hygiene, of course) to look like a little cheese feast. Another fun way is creating a forest floor scene using crushed graham crackers as “dirt” and these mice peek out from little chocolate “log” clusters.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover mice cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking, kept in the fridge. They stay fresh for up to three weeks, which is perfect when you want to pace yourself or prepare in advance for parties.

Freezing

These cookies freeze well! I place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag with parchment between layers. When you thaw them in the fridge overnight, they retain their shape and flavor beautifully.

Reheating

No need to reheat these since they’re best enjoyed at room temperature or chilled. If you like, let them sit out for 10-15 minutes after refrigeration before serving to bring out the chocolate’s softness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino?

Fresh cherries are much softer and without stems, so they won’t hold up well as mouse tails. Maraschino cherries are the best choice here for both texture and appearance.

What if I don’t have almond extract?

You can substitute vanilla or coconut extract if you don’t have almond on hand. Both work nicely, but almond pairs especially well with the chocolate and cherry combination.

How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing during melting?

Melting chocolate slowly at low heat is key—either in 30-second microwave increments stirred between each, or on a double boiler to maintain gentle warmth. Don’t let any water get into the chocolate, which causes it to seize.

Can I make these mice cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make them up to a few days in advance and store them in the fridge. The flavors even meld together a bit more, making them tastier as time goes by.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the Chocolate Cherry Mice Cookies Recipe has become a little tradition in my kitchen — always bringing smiles and a touch of whimsy to gatherings. They’re approachable, rewarding, and so much fun to make. I can’t wait for you to try them; I promise, once you get started, you’ll be hooked just like me!