Cherry Fudge with dark chocolate looks and tastes like it came from a fancy candy store, but it takes just 15 minutes to make. A homemade fudge perfect for gifting, with real cherries in every bite!
If you love cherries, be sure to try my Cherry Vanilla Puppy Chow, which is also great for gifts. You’ll love these Cherry Frosted Donuts too!
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Fudge Recipe
Fudge always feels like a special treat! Maybe it’s because so many vacation destinations have fudge shops or maybe it’s just that buttery, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth factor.
Whatever the reason, homemade fudge is a guaranteed hit—especially this Cherry Fudge With Dark Chocolate!
It starts with a rich cherry base made with chewy dried cherries and just a little bit of cherry gelatin for color and flavor.
Of course I had to add a layer of dark chocolate to finish it off!
- This cherry fudge recipe is incredibly easy. No candy thermometer or double-boiler needed!
- The layers of cherry and chocolate make this fudge look and taste impressive, just the fudge you’d buy at a chocolate shop.
- Cherry and chocolate are a classic combination that’s fantastic in this easy cherry fudge recipe.
Important Ingredient Notes
- White chocolate chips – White chocolate forms the base of this cherry fudge recipe because it allows the cherry flavor to take center stage.
- Fluff marshmallow cream – A secret ingredient for that perfect fudgy texture! Use our homemade marshmallow fluff if you want to take it to next level.
- Unsalted butter – Using unsalted butter gives you more control over the flavor of the fudge.
- Heavy whipping cream – Heavy cream adds richness and an irresistibly creamy texture.
- Cherry flavored gelatin – A great way to add color and flavor to this cherry fudge.
- Dried cherries – I love the texture and tart flavor that dried cherries add.
- Dark chocolate – Carefully melt the chocolate in the microwave.
How to Make Cherry Fudge
- Heat: In large saucepan, melt the butter with the sugar, cream, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the gelatin.
- Finish the cherry mixture: In mixing bowl, stir together the white chocolate and marshmallow cream. Pour the hot mixture into the bowl and whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Fold in the dried cherries.
- Add the dark chocolate: Pour the cherry mixture into a parchment-lined square pan. Pour the melted dark chocolate over the cherry fudge.
- Chill: Refrigerate the fudge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
This cherry fudge isn’t prone to crumbling since it’s not a traditional fudge recipe, but using a sharp chef’s knife and making swift, strong cuts will help. You can also dip the knife in boiling water, dry it, then cut through the fudge; wipe the knife and dip it again after each cut.
Yes, you should cover the fudge while it sets in the refrigerator. Loosely cover the pan with plastic wrap.
Stop beating the fudge once the chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is completely smooth.
More Fudge Recipes
Homemade Candy Recipes
Cherry Fudge Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups white chocolate chips
- 7 ounce jar Fluff marshmallow cream
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- pinch salt
- 1 Tablespoon cherry flavored gelatin
- ½ cup dried cherries
- 10 ounce dark chocolate melted
Instructions
- In large saucepan, melt butter with sugar, cream and pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Once boiling, set timer for 5 minutes and add in cherry gelatin.
- After 5 minutes remove from heat. In mixing bowl, add white chocolate and marshmallow cream. Pour hot mixture over this and beat with a whisk until smooth and creamy (and all chocolate is melted. Fold in dried cherries.
- Pour in a parchment paper lined 9-inch square pan. Pour melted dark chocolate over cherry fudge and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: You can keep this fudge in the fridge covered or in an airtight container at room temperature, as long as your house isn’t too warm.
- Cutting fudge: I find that slicing the fudge into squares just before serving helps ensure it maintains optimal texture. If you aren’t giving the fudge as a gift, cut just the number of squares you plan to eat right away. Use a sharp knife to get a smooth and even edge!
- Freezing: Like many of my homemade fudge recipes, your cherry fudge will also keep beautifully in the freezer. Freeze before or after cutting and then let the fudge thaw out at room temperature before eating.
- Mixing fudge: A strong whisk works well to beat together the fudge ingredients, but I have also been known to save a little bit of time and energy by using my stand mixer! Electric beaters are another great option for ensuring the white chocolate, marshmallow and butter mixture get well incorporated.
- See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.
Nutrition
Cherry Fudge covered with dark chocolate is simply irresistible!
How are you measuring the white chocolate? Are you using white chocolate chips or melts or bar? Would love to make this fudge.
I use white chocolate morsels (chips).
How do you cut so neatly?
Practice. And cleaning the knife with warm water between each cut 🙂
hi…i’m in indonesia, i just ask,
actually i’m so difficult to find cherry gelatin ( halal Product – moslem ) and fluff ( marshmallow cream )….any idea to change this ingridients….
thanx u so much…u give me experience to try any kind of best fudge ever….
I have no clue if this will work but you might try knox unflavored gelatin and a teaspoon of cherry extract in place of the cherry gelatin and melt a bag of miniature marshmallows instead of using fluff.
The white choc you use is that morsels or what kind of white choc?? Is the measurement before or after melted??
Your pictures were so beautiful I just had to try this recipe … fudge is something new for me and the only problem I had was the dark chocolate topping needed to be melted with butter or something to soften it for when it set. It was very hard vs the cherry fudge, it cracked and broke when I cut it. But we enjoyed it anyway …
I used morsels and melted them in a double boiler (or a glass bowl placed on top of a pot of boiling water) and warmed the chocolate at a very slow speed (f it gets too hot it will clump) and mine turned out okay.
WOW. Just made this for the 2nd time. So yummy.
I absolutely love your site.. Great colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site
yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own personal blog and would love to know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Thank you!
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Hi! I shared your recipe on my Must Try Tuesday blog post today.
http://therickettchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/03/59-must-try-tuesday-march-6-2012.html
I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Thanks for sharing!
Wende
The Rickett Chronicles
Can’t wait to try, and definitely one of the FB features for “A Little Birdie Told Me…” today!
Jenn
These look amazing! I love cherry and fudge! We would love for you to share this on our Saturday Link Party at SixSistersstuff.com. Hope to see you there!
-The Sisters
These look wonderful!
I’ve never tasted cherry fudge before, and I’d really like a piece now 🙂
You know I adore dark chocolate! AND I have a passionate love for cherries, too.
WANT!
Cherry and dark chocolate are perfect together! Love those two flavors together! This looks delicious and beautiful too!
Wow! What an awesome recipe!
I was enjoying a round-up over at Tidymom and one particular feature caught my eye. So…I clicked it and look where it led! I shouldn’t be surprised. Your treats always catch my eye and spark a craving!
Ohh pretty! I love the pink color its perfect for Valentine’s Day.
This sounds delicious and looks so pretty!
Thanks for linking up! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2012/valentine-treats-and-boxes/
Have a great rest of the weekend
This sounds awesome! Yummm!
Looks and sounds delicious! x