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.
A layer of dark chocolate tops things off, making this cherry fudge kind of like a chocolate covered cherry in fudge form!
Here’s why you’re going to love it:
- This cherry fudge recipe is incredibly easy.No candy thermometer or double-boiler needed! Traditional fudge recipes can be super fussy and temperamental, but this one is just as delicious, without all the work.
- The layers of cherry and chocolate make this fudge look and taste impressive, just the fudge you’d buy at a chocolate shop. No one will believe you made this gourmet treat yourself!
- 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
See all Candy recipes
Cherry Fudge
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!
Help! I’m not a cook, but I love chocolate and cherry and want to try my first attempt with this yummy looking fudge. I am confused as to what dark chocolate to use and how do I get it melted. Is it chocolate chips, or the bar kind of baking chocolate? Do I add anything to the chocolate to make it from cracking when cutting it (as mentioned in the previous comments).
Thanks
I use Ghirardelli dark chocolate morsels (60% cocoa), but you can use bars too!!! Try letting it come to room temperature before slicing (run a knife under warm water before slicing)!
I made these last year for my Christmas trays and they were a hit–however they weren’t near as pretty as yours because I couldn’t get the chocolate to cut nicely. It just kept cracking. I’m getting ready to make them again this year. Are there any tips on how to get them cut into pieces more easily and looking nicer?
When you say white chocolate for the cherry fudge–do you mean chips, ect. Tku
Yes, judi, she means the white chocolate chips, I used nestle because they were on sale. I just made this, 2nd attempt. Make sure you use a kitchen aid or some kind of mixer with whip attachment. And pour the hot liquid slowly. I tried to make with hand whip and pouring hot liquid all at once and the butter separated.
Yes, white chocolate chips would work perfect!
In the process of making these today. I used Ghirardelli for both the white and dark chocolate, quality is key 🙂 I also opted to chill the cherry mix for an hour before adding the dark chocolate layer. I have to admit, I’ve had this recipe bookmarked for quite some time, can’t wait to taste it!
Please don’t think I’m stupid but is the cherry flavored gelatin like Jell-O brand jell-0?
I saw these on Pinterest and my mouth literally started watering. I want to make this right now but I don’t have any fluff. I’m tempted to go out in the snow to get some. Yeah, it’s snowing in mid-April. That’s life in the Poconos.
By the way….I DIDNT put it in the fridge….
I decided to try this recipe for some of the girls at work as a Valentines day treat.Everything was going smoothly until I got to the part where you add the chocolate on top.I had this odd feeling that the cherry part should set a bit in the fridge. When I put the chocolate on and tried to even it out…..I ended up with an ugly fudged up mess 🙁 I will be honest and say that I went with milk chocolate chips.Should I have used the baking squares? If not….what went wrong? I plan to make another patch. Needless to say! Would like to know what I should do differently.
we made this today and it was not I good as we expected. not fudge really at all. tasted only like white chocolate. I would suggest adding more cherry gelatin or some kind of a cherry extract. Also there appeared to be to much butter – it did not really mix in all that well and I would not use a wire whisk for mixing because it is to difficult to get the mixture out of the wire.
Hmmm, not sure why it didn’t come out right for you. It definitely has a cherry flavor! As for the whisk, I use an electric mixture with the whisk attachment and have no problems with it sliding right off the whisk!
All I tasted was white chocolate also. I think on my next attempt I will use 1 tablespoon of sugar free cherry gelatin instead of regular cherry gelatin. The flavor in 1 Tbsp of sugar free should be much more intense instead of mostly sugar.
I’m super new to making fudge and tried making this fudge today. Everything was going great until I began mixing my hot mixture with the marshmallow fluff and chocolate. While I was whisking, the butter completely separated from the mixture and my recipe was ruined. I want to try making it again but I would like to figure out what i did wrong before I attempt it… Any ideas?
I had the same problem. I read the recipe as you are supposed to use a whisk and a mixing bowl but after reading the comments discovered we should be using an electric stand mixer with a whisk attachment (and should probable gradually add the hot mixture). I am going to try this on my next attempt in hopes that the speed and power of the mixer will keep it from separating.
Thanks for the tips ladies as the same thing happened to me as well. Butter separating. What an expensive disaster. I’m glad it was not just me assuming that I follow the directions using whisk. As I look over at kitchen aid that could have easily been used. I’m trying to save mine but who knows.
You are definitely the queen of fudge! This cherry/chocolate fudge combo sounds great!
This looks so tasty!! It looks like it would be perfect for Valentine’s Day but I’m not sure I can wait that long to try it out!
I made this using carnation milk instead if the heavy cream. The fudge tastes great and has less fat. If you’re lactose intolerant like me, you can eat more!
I made this to hand out at my work and it was not only easy to make, it is delicious. I can think of no better combination than cherry and dark chocolate with the creaminess of white chocolate fudge. I am so excited to get feed back from my coworkers, and it looks so pretty! Thank You!
Oh that cherry fudge is one of my all time favorites!! Hope your coworkers love it 🙂
Delicious…good job.
intentare hacerlo un dia en casa a ver que tal me sale ..parece facil pero no se ya veremos
un besete
mila
Do you use dried candied cherries orjust regular dried cherries?
Let me tell you, when I saw these on Facebook, I couldn’t click over fast enough! I LOVE pairing cherries and chocolate so much! You know that one piece in those assorted boxes of chocolates that has that pink fondant with the cherries and then it’s covered in chocolate…ahhhh…these remind of those. And I love those. 🙂
could I use maraschino cherries and maybe some of the syrup or cherry extract instead of jello?
I’m not sure, I’ve never tried that!
Never mind about the butter. So sorry! I must be blind!
haha! No worries. ENJOY!!
So. I found this recipe on Pinterest. It sounds fabulous and I want to make it this evening but I realized you don’t have a butter measurement!