Looking for a fudge recipe that’s a little bit different? This White Chocolate Cherry Fudge with Raspberry Swirl is a delightful twist on a classic! The sweetness of white chocolate perfectly complements the tartness of cherries and raspberries, creating a flavor explosion in every bite. This isn’t your average fudge – the vibrant raspberry swirl adds a beautiful visual appeal and a burst of fresh fruit flavor. It’s surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to impress your friends and family. Get ready to experience fudge like never before!
What You’ll Need
- White Chocolate Chips (300g / 10.5oz): We’re using high-quality white chocolate chips as the base of our fudge. The quality of your white chocolate will significantly impact the final flavor, so choose a brand you enjoy. Look for chips with a high cocoa butter content for a smoother, creamier melt.
- Unsalted Butter (120g / 1/2 cup): Unsalted butter provides richness and helps create a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Using unsalted allows you to control the overall saltiness of the fudge. Make sure it’s softened, but not melted, before starting.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk (395g / 1 can, 13.8oz): Sweetened condensed milk is the key to a creamy, soft fudge texture. It adds sweetness and helps bind the ingredients together. Don’t substitute with evaporated milk!
- Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract (1 tsp / 5ml): A touch of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile, adding warmth and depth. Ensure it’s alcohol-free if you prefer.
- Fine Sea Salt (1/4 tsp / 1.25ml): A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the white chocolate, cherries, and raspberries. Fine sea salt dissolves easily and distributes evenly.
- Alcohol-Free Preserved Cherries (150g / 1 cup, pitted, chopped): Preserved cherries offer a concentrated cherry flavor and a slightly chewy texture. Pitting them is essential, and chopping them ensures they’re evenly distributed throughout the fudge. Alcohol-free is important for all dietary needs.
- Fresh Raspberries (150g / 1 cup): Fresh raspberries provide a vibrant, tart counterpoint to the sweetness of the white chocolate. Choose plump, ripe raspberries for the best flavor.
- Granulated Sugar (60g / 1/4 cup): Granulated sugar sweetens the raspberry puree and helps create a slightly thickened consistency.
- Lemon Juice (1 tsp / 5ml): A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the raspberry flavor and adds a touch of acidity.
- Agar-Agar Powder (1/2 tsp / 2.5ml): Agar-agar powder is a plant-based gelling agent that helps set the raspberry swirl. It’s a vegan alternative to gelatin.
- Toasted Almond Slivers (30g / 2 tbsp): Toasted almond slivers add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the finished fudge. Toasting them enhances their flavor and texture.
- Extra Fresh Raspberry Wedges (optional): For garnish, fresh raspberry wedges add a beautiful pop of color and a final burst of fresh fruit flavor.
Substitutions & Variations
While this recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to experiment! If you don’t have preserved cherries, you can use dried cherries (rehydrated in warm water for 10 minutes and drained). For a different nut, try chopped pistachios or pecans instead of almond slivers. If you’re not a fan of raspberries, strawberries or blackberries would also work well in the swirl. Just adjust the sugar and lemon juice accordingly to balance the sweetness and tartness.
Optional (plan-ahead): If you’re shopping for the week, I put this into a 4-Week Meal Plan + Grocery Lists so dinner’s already decided before your day gets busy.
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions for White Chocolate Cherry Fudge
- Prepare the Pan: Begin by lining an 8×8 inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This is crucial for easily lifting the fudge out once it’s set. Ensure the parchment paper covers the entire base and extends up the sides to prevent sticking.
- Melt Butter and Condensed Milk: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the sweetened condensed milk and stir continuously until fully combined. This creates a smooth base for the fudge. Avoid scorching the mixture by keeping the heat at medium and stirring frequently.
- Melt White Chocolate: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately add the white chocolate chips to the warm butter and condensed milk mixture. Stir gently but consistently until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. The residual heat is sufficient to melt the chocolate without burning it.
- Add Flavorings and Cherries: Stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt. Then, gently fold in the chopped preserved cherries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the fudge mixture. Preserved cherries add a delightful chewy texture and intense cherry flavor.
- Pour and Spread Fudge: Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer. A smooth, even layer ensures uniform thickness and a professional look.
- Prepare the Raspberry Swirl: While the fudge is still warm, prepare the raspberry swirl. In a blender, combine the fresh raspberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Blend until completely smooth. If desired, strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds for a smoother swirl.
- Activate Agar-Agar: Transfer the raspberry puree to a small saucepan. Sprinkle the agar-agar powder evenly over the surface. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly. This activates the agar-agar, which will help the swirl set properly within the fudge.
- Create the Swirl: Remove the raspberry mixture from the heat. While it’s still fluid, carefully drizzle it over the surface of the warm fudge. Use a thin skewer or toothpick to gently swirl the raspberry gel into the fudge, creating a beautiful marbled ribbon effect. Avoid over-swirling, as this can muddy the colors.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Allow the fudge to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the fudge to fully set.
- Cut and Garnish: Lift the set fudge out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Place it on a cutting board and cut into bite-size squares. Plate each square on a white ceramic plate, drizzle any remaining raspberry gel around the edges, sprinkle toasted almond slivers on top, and add a fresh raspberry wedge for a pop of color.
The Science Behind the Swirl: Agar-Agar’s Role
The inclusion of agar-agar in the raspberry swirl isn’t just for aesthetics; it’s a crucial element for texture. Agar-agar is a vegetarian gelatin substitute derived from seaweed. Unlike traditional gelatin, it sets at room temperature and remains stable even when refrigerated. In this recipe, it prevents the raspberry swirl from completely dissolving into the white chocolate fudge, maintaining a distinct and visually appealing marbled effect. Without it, the raspberry flavor would disperse, and the beautiful swirl would disappear.
Choosing the Right Cherries
The recipe calls for alcohol-free preserved cherries. These are different from maraschino cherries, which are often artificially flavored and colored. Preserved cherries have a richer, more complex flavor and a slightly chewy texture that complements the creamy white chocolate beautifully. Look for cherries preserved in a light syrup, and be sure to pit them before chopping. Using high-quality cherries significantly elevates the overall flavor profile of the fudge.
Tips for Perfectly Smooth White Chocolate
White chocolate is notoriously sensitive to heat and can seize up easily. To prevent this, ensure your saucepan isn’t too hot, and remove it from the heat *before* adding the white chocolate chips. Stir gently and continuously until the chocolate is fully melted. If the chocolate starts to look grainy, adding a tiny splash of milk (about 1/2 teaspoon) can sometimes help to smooth it out. Patience is key when working with white chocolate!
Storage and Shelf Life
This White Chocolate Cherry Fudge with Raspberry Swirl is best enjoyed within one week. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its texture and freshness. The fudge can also be frozen for up to two months. If freezing, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cherries instead of preserved cherries?
While you can use fresh cherries, they will release more moisture into the fudge, potentially affecting its texture. If using fresh cherries, make sure to pit and dry them thoroughly before adding them to the mixture.
Can I make this fudge without agar-agar?
You can try omitting the agar-agar, but the raspberry swirl will likely blend more into the fudge rather than creating a distinct swirl. The agar-agar is essential for maintaining the visual appeal and texture of the swirl.
Indulge in the delightful combination of white chocolate, tart cherries, and sweet raspberry! This White Chocolate Cherry Fudge with Raspberry Swirl is a treat you won’t soon forget. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest board for later!
Print
maraschino cherry white chocolate fudge holiday treats
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
- Diet: General
Description
This White Chocolate Cherry Fudge with Raspberry Swirl is a delightful twist on a classic fudge recipe, combining sweet white chocolate with tart cherries and a vibrant raspberry swirl. It’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for gifting or enjoying as a special treat.
Ingredients
- 300g (10.5oz) white chocolate chips, high quality
- 120g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 395g (13.8oz, 1 can) sweetened condensed milk
- 5ml (1 tsp) alcohol-free vanilla extract
- 1.25ml (1/4 tsp) fine sea salt
- 150g (1 cup) alcohol-free preserved cherries, pitted and chopped
- 150g (1 cup) fresh raspberries
- 60g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
- 5ml (1 tsp) lemon juice
- 2.5ml (1/2 tsp) agar-agar powder
- 30g (2 tbsp) toasted almond slivers
- Fresh raspberry wedges (optional, for garnish)
Optional (plan-ahead): If you’re shopping for the week, I put this into a 4-Week Meal Plan + Grocery Lists so dinner’s already decided before your day gets busy.
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper.
- Melt Butter & Milk: Melt butter and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan.
- Melt Chocolate: Remove from heat and melt white chocolate into the mixture.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in vanilla and salt, then fold in cherries.
- Pour & Spread: Pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Make Raspberry Puree: Blend raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Activate Agar-Agar: Boil raspberry puree with agar-agar for 1 minute.
- Create Swirl: Drizzle raspberry mixture over fudge and swirl gently.
- Cool & Refrigerate: Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Cut & Garnish: Cut into squares and garnish with almonds and raspberries.
Notes
For a smoother raspberry swirl, strain the puree to remove seeds. Toasting almonds enhances their flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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