Effortless White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge: Your Ultimate Holiday Treat & Gift
Step into the festive season with a delightful treat that captures the essence of holiday cheer: this incredible White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge. Infused with the tangy burst of cranberries, the satisfying crunch of pecans, and a hint of warm holiday spices, this fudge is more than just a dessert—it’s an experience. It’s the perfect addition to any holiday party spread, a thoughtful homemade gift, and surprisingly, one of the easiest candy recipes you’ll ever master. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by making fudge, prepare to be amazed; this recipe truly redefines “easy” in the world of dessert treats.
A Timeless Treat: The Enduring Appeal of Fudge
Fudge holds a special place in many hearts, often evoking nostalgic memories of childhood and festive gatherings. My own earliest recollections of fudge trace back to my post-college days, rather than my childhood kitchen. While my mom wasn’t a fudge maker, my husband’s family introduced me to this delightful confection. During visits to Martha’s Vineyard, where his parents had a house, a charming little fudge shop called Murdick’s Fudge was an essential stop. Their array of delicious flavors was astounding, though one particular cranberry fudge always stood out in my mind.
While this particular recipe isn’t a direct replica of that cherished Martha’s Vineyard cranberry fudge—it’s been too long to recall the exact taste—it certainly captures the spirit. Cranberries inherently bring to mind the holidays, and in my opinion, the holidays and rich, creamy fudge are an inseparable duo. This White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge is not only a fantastic treat to have on hand for impromptu holiday entertaining, but it also elevates any dessert table with its vibrant colors and irresistible flavor profile.
Homemade Gifts from the Heart: The Perfect Gesture
Beyond being a personal indulgence, this White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge truly shines as a homemade gift. Imagine presenting a beautifully packaged box of these delectable squares to a hostess, a beloved teacher, a dedicated coach, or a dear friend. There’s something uniquely special about receiving a homemade food gift; it conveys a warmth and thoughtfulness that store-bought items simply can’t replicate. It’s a gift that feels like it comes straight from the heart, a tangible expression of care and effort during a season known for generosity.
For me, tackling dessert recipes can often feel quite daunting. My blog, A Dish of Daily Life, doesn’t feature many elaborate sweets, precisely because I gravitate towards simplicity. It’s not that I don’t enjoy eating dessert—quite the opposite! I just find the process of creating complex ones challenging. My daughter, on the other hand, possesses a true talent for baking and decorating, a skill she certainly didn’t inherit from me!
The Ultimate Easy Fudge Recipe: Microwave Magic
This White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge recipe completely bypasses those dessert-making anxieties. Forget about finicky candy thermometers, constant stirring, or worrying about reaching the “soft ball” stage. Your primary tool for melting will be the microwave, making this process incredibly straightforward and virtually foolproof. Seriously, when I say it’s easy, I genuinely mean it. The active prep time for this delightful confection is a mere 5 minutes. The only truly challenging part is exercising patience while it chills and sets to perfection. This makes it an ideal choice for busy holiday schedules, unexpected guests, or simply when you need a quick and satisfying sweet fix.
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TO MAKE WHITE CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY FUDGE, YOU WILL NEED
- 3 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup of dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Helpful Tools for Your Fudge-Making Journey
While this recipe is incredibly simple, having the right tools can make the process even smoother. Here are a few items that you might find helpful:
- Glass measuring cup (especially one with a pouring spout for easy transfer!)
- 9 x 13 glass baking dish
- Parchment paper
- Measuring spoons
Tips for Perfect Microwave Fudge Every Time
While this recipe is incredibly forgiving, a few simple tips can ensure your White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge turns out perfectly smooth and creamy every single time. The key is in the melting process. When microwaving the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter, do so in short intervals, typically 30-60 seconds, stirring thoroughly after each. This prevents the chocolate from overheating and seizing, ensuring a silky-smooth base for your fudge. Overheating white chocolate can make it grainy, so patience in this step is crucial. Once melted, work quickly but gently to incorporate the spices, vanilla, cranberries, and pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture before pouring into your prepared dish.
Customizing Your Festive Fudge: Delicious Variations
This White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge recipe is a fantastic base, but don’s hesitate to get creative with variations! Want to enhance the nutty flavor? Consider toasting your pecans lightly before adding them. Not a fan of pecans? Walnuts or almonds would also be delicious, offering a slightly different texture. For an extra citrusy zing, add a teaspoon of orange zest along with the spices. You could even experiment with different chocolate chips – a mix of white and dark chocolate chips would create a “zebra” fudge effect, or replace some of the white chocolate with butterscotch chips for a different flavor profile. The spices can also be adjusted; if you love nutmeg, add a pinch! This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your personal taste preferences or the occasion.
Storing Your Holiday Fudge: Keeping it Fresh
Proper storage is key to keeping your homemade White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge fresh and delicious. Once it’s completely set and cut into squares, store the fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to 2-3 weeks. If you plan to make it well in advance for holiday gifts or parties, this fudge freezes beautifully! Wrap individual pieces or layers in parchment paper, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. The texture and flavor will remain wonderfully intact, making it a perfect make-ahead holiday treat!
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MORE HOLIDAY TREATS YOU WILL ENJOY
- If you are a fudge fan, this chocolate walnut fudge is positively delicious and makes a great edible gift.
- Pumpkin pie fanatics will adore this creamy pumpkin pie fudge, great for Thanksgiving!
- If you haven’t tried Saltine Toffee yet, it’s an absolute must! You won’t believe how good it is until you try it yourself.
- I’ve been making this homemade peanut brittle for over 20 years now. It’s a cherished Christmas tradition in my family.
AND EVEN MORE HOLIDAY TREATS
- CANDIED PECANS: These irresistibly sweet and crunchy candied pecans make a fantastic holiday gift or an easy addition to a cookie exchange. They’re also wonderful in salads or as a topping for your favorite desserts!
- Christmas Mason Jar Gift Ideas from Chelsea’s Messy Apron: Get inspired with creative and charming gift ideas presented in beautiful mason jars.
- Salted Almond Chocolate Truffles from Bakerita: For a more sophisticated treat, these paleo and vegan truffles are decadent and surprisingly easy to make.
Now for the recipe!
White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 3 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
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Line a 9 x 13 inch glass baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal later. This step ensures your fudge won’t stick and makes cutting a breeze.
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Combine the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a large microwaveable bowl. A glass measuring cup with a pouring spout works exceptionally well for this, simplifying the transfer of the mixture later.
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Microwave the mixture on medium heat (around 50-70% power) for approximately 3-4 minutes, or until the chocolate chips are almost entirely melted and smooth. Be sure to stop and stir the mixture every 60 seconds to prevent scorching and ensure even melting. The goal is a creamy, lump-free consistency.
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Immediately after removing the melted mixture from the microwave, stir in the holiday spices (allspice, ground ginger, cinnamon), vanilla extract, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans. Mix vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed throughout the rich, warm fudge base.
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Carefully pour the fudge mixture into your prepared glass baking dish. Spread it evenly using a spatula. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until the fudge is completely firm and set. Once firm, lift the parchment paper to remove the fudge block from the dish, and cut it into 24 perfect squares. Serve and enjoy!
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
