White chocolate fudge with cherries is my go-to recipe when my sweet tooth strikes or I need a quick treat to take along to a gathering. It’s the kind of dessert that feels special with nearly no fuss—you’re reminded of candy store treats, but you don’t have to stand over the stove or wrestle a candy thermometer. The bright cherry swirls and creamy white chocolate are an unbeatable combination, especially when you want something festive but easy to pull off.
What I Love About This Fudge – And Why You’ll Crave It, Too
What hooked me when I first made this fudge was how simple it is. There’s no boiling, no endless stirring, and no waiting nervously for the “soft ball stage.”
- Effortlessly Impressive: You melt, mix, and swirl. Even if you’re new to fudge, you’ll end up with perfect little squares that look like they came from a fancy shop.
- Cherry on Top: The tang of cherry preserves cuts through the richness of the white chocolate, making every bite balanced, not cloying.
- Crowd Pleaser: Around holidays, family birthdays, or just as a treat for my neighbors, this fudge never seems to last long on the plate.
My Ingredient Insights
I’ll admit I love experimenting, but these basics just never fail me:
- White Chocolate Chips: Use a brand you love to eat out of hand, because the flavor really comes through. Some cheaper brands can taste waxy or overly sweet.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: This is the real “shortcut.” It gives you that creamy texture without all the work, and it mixes in like a dream.
- Butter: Just a little bit adds a nice shine and helps everything melt together smoothly.
- Cherry Preserves: I like to use a preserve with real fruit chunks for texture. Once, I used homemade cherry jam from a friend’s backyard tree, and wow, that batch disappeared the fastest!
- Lining the Pan: Don’t skip the parchment—a little extra effort, but so worth it for clean edges and easy removal.
Personal Tips for Foolproof Fudge
After making countless batches for bake sales, holidays, and as last-minute gifts, these little tips make a big difference:
- Microwave in Short Intervals: White chocolate burns fast, so go slow. I stop every 30 seconds to stir; the residual heat helps finish melting anything stubborn.
- Stir, Don’t Beat: Fold the frosting gently into the melted chocolate and butter until just blended—over-mixing can make the fudge dense.
- Swirl Effect: The fun part is adding cherry preserves on top—use a chopstick or even the handle of a spoon to swirl. My trick is to drag in both directions for a more striking marbled look.
- Chill Well: This fudge firms up quickly, but I like to give it at least 2 hours in the fridge for clean cuts and more stable texture when serving.
- Cut the Way You Like: Sometimes I go for dainty one-inch bites for a candy tray; other times, two-inch squares for an afternoon treat with coffee.
Make-Ahead and Gift-Worthy
This fudge holds up beautifully in the fridge, which means you can make it a couple of days before a party or when prepping ahead for the holidays. It’s one of my favourite sweets to box up for friends—just pop wax paper between layers.
Serving and Sharing in Real Life
A lot of times, I’ll bring a plate of this fudge to a potluck, and it’s always the first thing to go. For Valentine’s Day or birthdays, I cut the fudge into little hearts with a cookie cutter—kids eat it up, and adults love it too. It’s also perfect for stashing in the freezer for those late-night, just-one-piece cravings.
Storing Your Fudge
Here’s what has worked best for me:
- Refrigerate: Store in a sealed container for up to a week. I put a sheet of wax paper between layers to keep the edges pretty.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze cut squares in a single layer, then move to a freezer bag once solid. They’ll keep for 2-3 months, and you can let them thaw for a few minutes before serving.
Your Questions, Answered
How long does it take to set?
Usually about two hours in the fridge is enough, but if you’re short on time, you can pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes to speed things up.
Can I use different preserves?
Yes—raspberry or strawberry work beautifully. I’ve even done a mixed berry version when cherries weren’t in season.
What’s the best way to cut fudge neatly?
Use a long, sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry for each cut. This helps you get those gorgeous, bakery-style squares.
Making fudge at home doesn’t get easier than this—minimal effort, big reward, and an irresistible treat that disappears fast around here. If you love classic sweets or want a quick dessert that looks every bit as good as it tastes, this white chocolate fudge with cherries is always a winner.
White Chocolate Cherry Fudge
This creamy, dreamy white chocolate fudge swirled with vibrant cherry preserves is pure indulgence in every bite.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces white chocolate chips
- 14 ounces cream cheese frosting
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup cherry preserves
- Cooking spray
- 8x8-inch baking pan, lined with parchment paper
Instructions
- Lightly grease your lined baking pan with cooking spray to ensure easy removal later.
- Place white chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is silky and completely melted.
- Gently fold in the cream cheese frosting until everything is combined into a smooth, creamy batter.
- Spread this luscious mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
- Dollop cherry preserves over the top, then use a skewer or chopstick to create beautiful swirls by lightly dragging through the preserves and fudge.
- Cover the pan with foil and refrigerate until the fudge firms up, about 2 hours.
- Once set, slice into squares and enjoy the perfect balance of sweet white chocolate and tangy cherry.
Nutrition Information
Yield
20Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 190Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 7mgSodium 63mgCarbohydrates 25gFiber 0gSugar 24gProtein 1g
TastyFitnessRecipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although tastyfitnessrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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