Description
This White Chocolate Cherry Fudge is a luscious, creamy sweet treat combining the smoothness of white chocolate and marshmallow cream with the tartness of dried maraschino cherries. Perfectly set to a soft, chewy texture, it’s an indulgent candy that’s easy to make and ideal for sharing at holidays, parties, or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Fudge Ingredients
- 1/2 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries, dried between paper towels for 30 minutes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons marshmallow cream
- 1 drop pink food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare Pan and Cherries: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the fudge later. Pat the finely chopped maraschino cherries dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which prevents the fudge from becoming too soft.
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, sugar, heavy cream, and salt. Place over medium-high heat and stir continuously until the sugar and butter have fully melted and are incorporated.
- Cook to Soft-Ball Stage: Bring the mixture up to a boil. Insert a candy thermometer into the mixture and continue stirring frequently. Heat until the temperature reaches 235°F, which is the soft-ball stage essential for the perfect fudge texture.
- Add Chocolate and Marshmallow Cream: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the white chocolate chips and marshmallow cream until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
- Color and Add Cherries: Add a drop of pink food coloring and mix well until the color is evenly distributed. Gently fold in the dried chopped cherries to spread them throughout the fudge.
- Set the Fudge: Pour the hot fudge mixture into the prepared 8×8-inch pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly across the pan surface.
- Cool and Firm Up: Allow the fudge to set at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours, or until it becomes firm enough to cut cleanly.
- Cut and Serve: Once fully set, lift the fudge out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut into 1-inch squares. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Drying the maraschino cherries thoroughly is essential to prevent excess moisture, which can affect fudge setting.
- Use a reliable candy thermometer to reach the correct soft-ball temperature for best texture results.
- For easier slicing, refrigerate the fudge for an additional 30 minutes after it has set at room temperature.
- Store fudge in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Adjust food coloring quantity to achieve desired pink shade or omit for white fudge.
