Chocolate Cherry Cream Dip

My husband just walked by the computer and glanced at this photograph.  He stopped, looked closer, and stated. “Wow, Babe.  That photo is amazing.”  As he strolled away, I growled under my breath, “I want to eat it…”

The truth is, I did eat it.  Last week.  I snacked, dipped, nibbled, and devoured with gusto.  And it was good.  But I look at this and I want more.

Who can resist the classic combination of chocolate and cherries?  I blame my addiction on my Dad.  For as long as I can remember, he has received a box or two of Queen Anne Cherries at Christmas, wrapped and tucked under the tree at the last minute by the enthusiastic hands of his children.  He somehow managed to convince us that he was surprised to open them each year.  Christmas makes us gullible I guess… We aren’t often able to be together for Christmas these days but the tradition lives on.  I have never told him this, but I still buy a box every year and break into it on Christmas Eve, handing one to each of my kids just as he did to my siblings and I all those years ago.  One bite and I could be sitting Indian style on the living room floor of my childhood home, waiting for gifts to be passed out.

I feel as though I should mention that I am listening to Francesca Battistelli’s Christmas Album as I type this.  One of my most favorite holiday albums ever.  Beautiful music, coupled with writing the memory above is making my heart positively ache with missing my family this holiday season.  Who knew chocolate covered cherries could make this momma weep with nostalgia?

Anyway.  Enough with the sappy stuff.  Back to this dip.  It is officially my go-to, bring along treat of the Holiday 2014 season.  Its beautiful, simple, fun, and just kind of screams the word ‘party’, don’t ya think?  It is basically a low effort, less messy way to serve these familiar flavors.  I realize that there are a bazillion versions of this recipe out on Pinterest right now, but I felt the need to make it come together a bit faster and with less fuss.  I have enough things to do these next few weeks without wasting time on unnecessary steps in a recipe.  I would much rather channel that energy into something useful.  Like eating that recipe.
Chocolate Cherry Cream Dip
Adapted from Shugary Sweets
This can be made a day ahead and wrapped tightly in the fridge.  Keep cold while serving and dip whatever sounds good in it.  I am partial to pretzels.  The sweet and salty combo is stellar.

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, slightly softened
1/4 c (4 T) soft butter
1/2 chopped maraschino cherries
1/4 c maraschino cherry juice, right from the jar
1/2 c mini chocolate chips

Combine the cream cheese, butter, and cherry juice until combined and smooth.  Fold in the chopped cherries and mini chocolate chips.  Serve with pretzels, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or anything else you can think of!

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