Maraschino Cherry Fudge

How about an easy, last minute Valentine treat... I wanted a little something special for dinner with the boys tomorrow and decided to dress up 5 Minute Fudge by simply adding a maraschino cherry and cutting it with a heart shaped cookie cutter-wa-la! They'd be so pretty placed in mini cupcake papers.

 Fancy minus the fuss:@)

What to do with the scraps? How about Fudge Balls:

Let the heat of your hands soften the fudge,
when it gets shiny roll it into a ball and embellish with candy decorations.

5 Minute Fudge with Maraschino Cherries 
(Foolproof fudge! This recipe has been around forever and can be cut in half, just use a bread pan)
2 Tblsp butter
2/3 C evaporated milk (the 12oz can makes 2 batches)
1 2/3 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 C mini marshmallows
1 1/2 C good semi-sweet choco chips (I like Ghirardelli)
1 tsp vanilla
Maraschino cherries, dried well

1. Combine butter, milk, sugar and salt in sauce pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Bring to a full boil and cook for 5 minutes, stirring all the time.
3. Remove from heat and add marshmallows, chips and vanilla. (It's best to have all of this already measured out in a bowl ready to pour into the pot. I used walnuts in this post here.)
4. Stir vigorously until marshmallows melt and blend in (a minute or two).
5. Pour into 8" square buttered pan (I just line the bottom and sides of the pan with Reynolds Release or tin foil). Spread fudge out and smooth the top quickly.
6. Push cherries (that you have dried very well on paper towels) into the fudge.
7. Cool and cut into squares, or shapes with a cookie cutter. Note: it's easier to use the cookie cutter when the fudge is chilled and firm but not totally cold. 

Enjoy and have a happy day:@)

I'm joining:
Sweets for a Saturday
The Valentine Party
Valentine Par-Tay!
Foodie Friday
Seasonal Sunday