Chocolate Covered Cherry Dip

You know those boxes of dark chocolate covered cherries you can find around Valentine's Day and Christmas? The ones that ooze out thick cherry syrup when you bite into them?

I dream about those.

And since I have absolutely no self control, and Jason doesn't like them, I never buy them. But if someone wants to buy me a box, it would be gracious of me to accept them without argument... :)

This dip is not as rich as those dark chocolate covered cherries but just as delicious. And, since it makes so much that you absolutely have to share with others, there is built in portion control. It's like a win-win!

The tangy cream cheese pairs so well with the sweet sugar and cherry juice. Mix in some chopped cherries and chocolate chips and you have a dip worth dreaming about. And it makes such a lovely shade of pink! My inner 6 year old still fawns over all things pink.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Dip
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
10 ounce jar maraschino cherries
1.5 cups powdered sugar
1 cup chocolate chips, chopped

Drain the juice from the cherries and reserve. Roughly chop the cherries and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until well combined. Beat in the reserved cherry juice and then slowly add the powdered sugar.

Stir in the chopped cherries and chocolate chips.

Serve with graham crackers. Keep refrigerated.

Source: adapted from Shugary Sweets & Inside BruCrew