This creamy white and dark chocolate cherry fudge recipe with two layers of yummy fudge -- white chocolate cherry and dark chocolate pistachio -- takes about 5 minutes to make in the microwave. Perfect sweet treat for your goodie tray this holiday season or Valentine's Day.
For more holiday goodies, try Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies and Chocolate Blossoms next!
Is it even Christmas if there isn't any fudge? If you're like me, it's a hard no. So, if you're looking for something new and fun for the holidays, you have to try this delicious double-decker pistachio cherry fudge.
The bottom layer is rich dark chocolate with salted roasted pistachios, and the top layer is creamy white chocolate with dried cherries and a hint of almond. And it's a super fast and easy recipe to make in the microwave in about 5 minutes.
Want more easy fudge recipes? Head on over to my other site, Midwestern HomeLife for Chocolate Mint Fudge, Peanut Butter Fudge, and more!
🍒Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Dark chocolate chips and white chocolate chips. I like dark chocolate in this fudge recipe to offset the sweetness of the white chocolate. But you can use semisweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips if you like. For fudge, I recommend using good quality chocolate like Ghirardelli for the smoothest melting and the best flavor.
- Pistachios. You can use any kind of nut or none at all. If you don't use salted nuts, I recommend adding a little salt to the chocolate fudge layer.
- Heavy cream. Heavy cream ensures the chocolate chips and condensed milk melt into a smooth and creamy mixture.
- Almond extract. Almonds and cherries are the perfect flavor combo. Use more or less to your taste.
- Dried cherries. For chocolate cherry fudge, dried cherries are the way to go. Maraschino cherries, no matter how well you pat them dry, always seem to ooze too much liquid.
🥣How to Make Homemade Chocolate Cherry Fudge
Step 1: Stir dark chocolate chips, cream, and condensed milk in a large bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds and gently stir. Heat in 15-30 second intervals until the melted chocolate is smooth -- be careful not to overheat or overstir.
Step 2: Stir in the chopped pistachios. Spread the chocolate fudge into an even layer in an 8x8 square pan lined with parchment paper.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the white chocolate chips, cream, condensed milk, almond extract, and salt. Microwave and stir using the same method as the dark chocolate layer.
Step 4: Stir in the chopped cherries and carefully pour the mixture on top of the dark chocolate fudge. Gently spread the white chocolate cherry fudge completely over the dark chocolate layer.
Step 5: Allow the fudge to firm up in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Step 6: Cut the fudge into 1 to 1 ½-inch squares. For cleanest cuts, let the fudge sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cutting, use a sharp knife dipped in warm water, and clean the knife between cuts.
👉Top Tip: If your fudge seizes -- stiffens up and becomes grainy -- or if it separates and becomes oily, DON'T THROW IT AWAY! You can most likely save it. See FAQs below for details.
☑️Tips
- Don't stir the fudge mixture too much or it can become grainy. While microwaving, gently stir just enough to blend the mixture together.
- Because this homemade fudge has just a few ingredients, it's important to use good quality chocolate like Ghirardelli. Not only for flavor but for the smooth consistency.
- Instead of using the microwave, gently melt and stir the chocolate mixture in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Fudge FAQs
When fudge has seized, it has a dry, crumbly texture and is usually a result of overcooking, over-stirring, or using low-quality chocolate. If the chocolate isn’t burned, you might be able to salvage it. Add warm water or cream, one teaspoon at a time, and gently stir until the mixture comes back together. If needed, rewarm it briefly in the microwave or over low heat in a saucepan.
This common fudge mishap happens when chocolate is overheated—I've been there! Luckily, it’s fixable. Gently warm the fudge over low heat or in the microwave, and stir in small amounts of warm water, one teaspoon at a time, until the mixture becomes smooth again.
Store fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. To freeze fudge, tightly wrap it in wax paper and again in aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer bag. Freeze for 2-3 months and thaw in the fridge.
🎆More Christmas Goodie Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Cherry Fudge
Ingredients
- 11 oz. dark chocolate chips (1 ½ heaping cups) I use Ghirardelli
- 4 tablespoons heavy cream, divided
- 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk, divided
- ½ cup salted roasted pistachios, chopped
- 11 oz. white chocolate chips (1 ½ heaping cups) I use Ghirardelli
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 square baking dish with parchment paper. Use binder clips or smear some butter on the pan before adding the parchment to keep it from slipping around.
- Combine dark chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons cream, and half a can of condensed milk in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds, stir gently, and heat in 15-30 second bursts until just melted. Stir in pistachios, then spread into the prepared pan.
- In another bowl, combine white chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons cream, remaining condensed milk, almond extract, and salt. Microwave for 45 seconds, gently stir, and heat in 15-30 second bursts until just melted. Stir until creamy. Gently mix in dried cherries. Dollop over the chocolate pistachio fudge. Gently spread into the pan.
- Chill in the refrigerator at least 2 hours until firm. Let the fudge sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cutting so the fudge is easy to cut and doesn't splinter. Cut into 1 - 1 ½ inch squares. For clean cuts, warn the knife blade under warm water, and wipe the blade between cuts.
Notes
- If your fudge seizes -- stiffens up and becomes grainy -- or if it separates and becomes oily, DON'T THROW IT AWAY! You can most likely save it. See FAQs on the post for details.
- Don't stir the fudge mixture too much or it can become grainy. While microwaving, gently stir just enough to blend the mixture together.
- Because this homemade fudge has just a few ingredients, it's important to use good quality chocolate like Ghirardelli. Not only for flavor but for the smooth consistency.
- Instead of using the microwave, gently melt and stir the chocolate mixture in a small saucepan over medium heat.
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