White Chocolate Cherry Fudge Recipe

Dreamy White Chocolate Cherry Fudge Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Indulgent white chocolate cherry fudge converts ordinary dessert moments into extraordinary culinary adventures.

Sweet kernels of cherries dance through creamy white chocolate landscapes, creating sensory magic in every bite.

Decadent and luxurious, this recipe promises rich flavor combinations that tantalize sophisticated palates.

Silky textures merge with bright fruit notes, delivering an unexpected sensory experience that delights and surprises.

Kitchen enthusiasts will adore how simple ingredients combine to create such elegant confectionery magic.

Smooth white chocolate provides a perfect canvas for vibrant cherry bursts, elevating traditional fudge into something spectacular.

Crafting this dessert requires minimal effort but generates maximum deliciousness.

How to Prepare White Chocolate Cherry Fudge Squares

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Canvas

Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating extended edges for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Dry the Cherry Bits

  • Select maraschino cherries
  • Finely chop the cherries
  • Pat thoroughly with paper towels
  • Let cherries air dry for 30 minutes to remove extra moisture

Step 3: Create Fudge Base

In a medium saucepan, combine:
  • Butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Heavy cream
  • Salt

Heat over medium-high temperature, stirring constantly until ingredients melt and mixture begins bubbling

Step 4: Monitor Temperature Precisely

Attach candy thermometer to saucepan side, cooking and stirring until mixture reaches 235°F (soft-ball stage)

Step 5: Blend Chocolate Elements

Remove pan from heat, then stir in:
  • White chocolate chips
  • Marshmallow cream

Mix until smooth and completely melted

Step 6: Add Playful Color and Cherries

  • Add a drop of pink food coloring
  • Gently fold in dried cherry pieces

Ensure even color distribution

Step 7: Set and Settle

Pour fudge mixture into prepared pan, spreading evenly with spatula

Allow fudge to rest at room temperature for 3-4 hours

Step 8: Slice and Serve

  • Remove fudge using parchment paper
  • Cut into 1-inch square pieces
  • Serve and enjoy delightful treat

Pro Tips for the Best Cherry Fudge Texture

  • Drain Cherries Thoroughly: Pat maraschino cherries completely dry to prevent excess moisture from making the fudge soft and runny.
  • Use Accurate Temperature: Invest in a reliable candy thermometer to precisely hit 235°F, ensuring perfect fudge consistency every time.
  • Smooth Melting Technique: Stir white chocolate and marshmallow cream slowly and continuously for a silky, lump-free texture.
  • Create Even Coloring: Add food coloring drop by drop, mixing gently to achieve a uniform pink shade without streaks.
  • Cutting Clean Squares: Let fudge cool completely at room temperature and use a sharp, clean knife to create precise, neat pieces.

How to Keep White Chocolate Cherry Fudge Fresh

  • Refrigerate: Store the white chocolate cherry fudge in an airtight container, layering pieces between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 7 days.
  • Freeze: Wrap the fudge tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving its creamy texture and delicate cherry flavor.
  • Thaw and Serve: Remove frozen fudge from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving. This gentle thawing process helps maintain the fudge's smooth consistency and prevents condensation.

Ideal Pairings with White Chocolate Cherry Fudge

  • Brew Romantic Cherry Tea Pairing: Serve this delicate white chocolate cherry fudge alongside a light, floral cherry tea like hibiscus or rose-infused cherry blend. The subtle tea notes will complement the sweet fudge's rich flavor profile without overwhelming its delicate characteristics.
  • Create Sparkling Dessert Companion: Pair the fudge with a chilled glass of rosé champagne or moscato, which echoes the cherry's bright sweetness and provides a luxurious effervescent contrast to the creamy fudge texture.
  • Craft Decadent Coffee Match: Enjoy the fudge with a smooth vanilla latte or cappuccino, where the coffee's warm, subtle bitterness balances the fudge's intense sweetness and highlights the cherries' fruity undertones.
  • Design Creamy Cream Sidekick: Serve alongside a dollop of fresh whipped cream or vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that elevates the fudge's rich white chocolate base.

Flavor Variations for White Chocolate Cherry Fudge

  • Cherry Almond Bliss: Swap maraschino cherries with dried cherries and add sliced almonds for a nutty crunch, enhancing the fudge's texture and introducing a deeper flavor profile.
  • Dark Chocolate Cherry Decadence: Replace white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips, creating a rich contrast against the sweet cherries and providing a more intense chocolate experience.
  • Raspberry White Chocolate Fusion: Substitute maraschino cherries with freeze-dried raspberries, adding a tangy twist and maintaining the vibrant pink color while introducing a different fruity note.
  • Coconut Cherry Dream: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the fudge before setting, offering a tropical element and complementing the white chocolate's creamy sweetness.

White Chocolate Cherry Fudge Is a Festive Favorite

  • Create Sweet Magic in Minutes: This white chocolate cherry fudge transforms simple ingredients into a delightful treat that comes together quickly with minimal cooking skills required.
  • Texture Paradise: Enjoy the perfect balance of creamy white chocolate smoothness combined with soft, chewy dried cherry pieces that create an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
  • Romantic Dessert Charm: The delicate pink color and sweet cherry hints make this fudge an ideal treat for Valentine's Day, bridal showers, or any celebration that calls for something elegant and delicious.
  • No Complicated Techniques Needed: Even beginner bakers can master this recipe with basic kitchen tools like a candy thermometer and a saucepan, making it accessible for home cooks of all experience levels.

What You Need for White Chocolate Cherry Fudge

Fudge Base:
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create the fudge's smooth texture, choose granulated white sugar for best results.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps create a creamy consistency, full-fat version ensures a luxurious texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Contributes to the fudge's rich flavor and smooth mouthfeel, room temperature butter blends more easily.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the fudge.
Chocolate and Binding Ingredients:
  • White Chocolate Chips: Serves as the primary flavor and structural component of the fudge, choose high-quality chips for best taste.
  • Marshmallow Cream: Helps bind ingredients and provides a soft, smooth texture to the fudge.
Fruit and Coloring:
  • Maraschino Cherries: Adds a pop of color and sweet-tart flavor, thoroughly dried to prevent excess moisture.
  • Pink Food Coloring: Creates a soft pink hue, just one drop for a subtle, delicate color.
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White Chocolate Cherry Fudge Recipe

White Chocolate Cherry Fudge Recipe


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4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x

Description

Creamy white chocolate cherry fudge delivers sweet indulgence with classic holiday charm. Festive cherries and rich white chocolate create a melt-in-your-mouth treat you’ll savor down to the last delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

Cream and Liquid Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons marshmallow cream

Flavoring and Garnish Ingredients:

  • ½ cup finely chopped maraschino cherries (dried between paper towels for 30 minutes)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 drop pink food coloring

Instructions

  1. Meticulously line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring extended edges for effortless extraction.
  2. Spread finely chopped maraschino cherries onto a flat surface, gently blotting with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture. Allow cherries to air-dry completely for optimal texture.
  3. Combine butter, sugar, heavy cream, and salt in a medium saucepan, melting ingredients over medium-high heat while continuously stirring until the mixture reaches a rolling boil.
  4. Securely attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan’s side, monitoring temperature and stirring frequently until the mixture precisely hits 235°F, guaranteeing a perfect fudge consistency.
  5. Immediately remove the saucepan from heat, incorporating white chocolate chips and marshmallow cream. Whisk vigorously until the mixture transforms into a glossy, homogeneous blend.
  6. Introduce a delicate drop of pink food coloring, swirling gently to create a uniform soft blush throughout the fudge. Tenderly fold in the previously dried cherry pieces.
  7. Transfer the luxurious mixture into the prepared pan, using a spatula to distribute evenly and eliminate any air pockets.
  8. Allow the fudge to rest at room temperature, giving it 3-4 hours to solidify completely and develop its signature creamy texture.
  9. Once set, elevate the fudge using parchment paper edges. Slice into precise 1-inch cubes, revealing the embedded cherry fragments and presenting an elegant dessert.

Notes

  • Drying cherries prevents excess moisture from ruining fudge texture, ensuring a perfect candy consistency.
  • Pink food coloring transforms white chocolate mixture into a delightful, eye-catching dessert with subtle blush tones.
  • Marshmallow cream adds silky smoothness and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth fudge that holds together beautifully.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 16
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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